Distractions are the enemy

Distractions are sneaky.

They seem small—just a quick email check or a phone notification—but they add up fast, killing momentum and stealing hours from your day.

In a recent Business of Agency Mastermind meeting, I talked about how I handle distractions both in business and life. As the CEO of three digital marketing agencies and the leader of a mastermind for agency owners, distractions are an enemy I have to manage daily to keep myself and my team focused.

One of the biggest adjustments I made was turning off most phone notifications. The only ones that come through are calendar alerts and calls from key people. Everything else gets muted. That may seem extreme, but everything else can wait. This keeps my focus sharp on my critical tasks for the day. It sounds simple, but it makes a huge difference. Think about how often you get pulled off task by a ding or a buzz—it’s death by a thousand cuts.

I also talked about my “Power List.” It’s five tasks that must get done each day, no matter what, before I go to bed. If I finish all five, it’s a win for the day. That structure keeps me on track even when other things threaten to derail my time.?

The Power List isn’t just a productivity hack; it’s a defense against the little things that don’t matter but fight for attention. If I don’t pay attention to my day, if I let too many distractions in, well, the Power List still has to get done. When I lose focus that means I’m up late getting it all done. Since I’d rather not stay up late, I have to shield myself from distractions until my Power List is complete.?

In the meeting, I emphasized being present. It’s easy to get sucked into emails, texts, and social media, but when I engage with people—clients, team members, or family—I try to be all in. That’s a discipline I’ve developed over time, especially when managing client relationships. You can’t half-listen or daydream and expect great outcomes.

One challenge we discussed was clients who become distractions. Sometimes they miss meetings, send endless emails, or slow down projects. I shared how I manage that: clear agreements upfront. I’ll say, “We’ll go live with this unless you feel strongly otherwise.” That way, we keep momentum without endless back-and-forth.

Distractions also hit during personal time. In Million Dollar Journey, I describe my habit of obsessively analyzing new ideas. That’s productive in bursts, but it can also pull me away from the bigger picture. To combat that, I’ve learned to micro-pivot—adjust my focus quickly when I see I’m drifting off course.

Ultimately, beating distractions isn’t about getting everything perfect—it’s about setting rules and boundaries that let you focus on what truly matters.?

What’s your strategy to handle distractions?

~ Erik