When it comes to creating an online business lack of focus is probably the biggest thing holding us back. Focus is important on 2 levels. Firstly you have your long term focus which is what you want to ultimately achieve. Stop reading this for a moment and ask yourself what do you want? Financial freedom? To be able to leave your current job and work at home? A new house? A world cruise? That is your long term focus this what will drive you if you harness it. If you want it enough and focus on it you will get it.

One of the people I used to mentor lived in a small 1 roomed apartment. She was desperate to move out into a nice house. She went to visit the local Realtors and found a house she really liked. She took the details and framed them and hung them on the wall behind her computer monitor. As soon as she felt like stopping a task or demotivated she would stop work for 5 minutes grab a coffee and stare at the house pictures. She constantly imagined living in the house and repeated to herself that she will have that house. Very quickly she was back working on her online business. A little over a year later she could afford to move into a similar house to the one that motivated her.

In addition to long term focus you need to consider your short term focus. a lack of short term focus will have a negative impact on your Long term focus. How many times do you sit down to write an article or build a site only to answer emails of have instant message conversations? very soon you realize you've done nothing constructive and you have no time left.

The secret to maintaining short term focus is to get a system together that you can stick to. Each morning I will start my PC, scan my emails for anything urgent then close down my emails for at least 2 hours. I make sure that Skype and Yahoo Messenger are off and then I will work for a set amount on time or until I have completed my task. Only then will I read all my mails and fire up my IM tools. Once you start to focus on your short term goals then your long terms goals will be within your grasp.

You should also make a point of eliminating as many distractions as possible. Ask your family to respect your work time. If you explain to them why you need to be left alone then they will support you 100%. Try to turn off your cellphone and put any pets outside. Become your own strict boss!

This article has taken me less than 20 minutes to write because I have focused on it and had no distractions. 2 years ago before I learned to focus I would probably have spent a few hours on it.

There is noting in this world that will stop you achieving your goals If you want them enough. You just need patience and belief in yourself