During many Quid Pro Quo sales training sessions, one of the biggest areas in anyone's career development is the ability to stay focused. I call it the Focus Factor. You have to focus on the right things in the sales cycle but also focus on what you do the best.

We all have special talents. Some people have more than others, like truly becoming a trusted advisor executing the Quid Pro Quo sales approach, but we all have unique skills. For some it might take a lifetime to determine what they are. Some people never discover their true talents. The consequence for these people is a life unfulfilled. They never realize their full potential. They tend to struggle, switching jobs or careers every couple of years in search of something they are missing.   

The Exercise
Are you ready to get started making your Focus Factor Chart and see how it can help you determine what talents you should focus on and what you should leave to others?

Let's Begin
To begin making your chart, you are going to slice up your day and break it out into segments.
Maybe you have done this first step before in some version-perhaps the first step of a diet plan. Many diets ask you to write down everything you consume. It is amazing how much junk we eat and don't even realize it. Once you write this list and are accountable for the food you eat, it becomes easy to see why you are gaining or losing weight.
Here is the exercise to determine what talents you should focus on and what you should leave to others. Once you slice your day, you are going to chart and grade your activities.

Step 1
Write the following column headings:

Activity
·  Time Spent (on the activity)
·  Degree of difficulty (on the activity)
·  Happiness factor (how good does this make you feel)
·  Moving Forward (Does this activity move you closer to where you want to be)

Step 2
Fill in your chart. Enter each activity. Record the time you spend doing each activity.

Step 3
Grade each activity according to Difficulty, Happiness Factor etc. grading from 1 -10:

·  1 would be the lowest grade, the least productive, the unhappiest
·  10 would be the highest grade, the most productive, the happiest

After you've graded each activity you'll see the amount of time you spend on activities you don't enjoy. These activities keep you or put you in a rut.
 
What You Can Conclude
If you diligently fill out your own Focus Factor Chart for 30 - 90 days, you will see patterns in your life. You are empowered to change these patterns. You can create the path that will focus your talents, desires, and actions.