The current generation of business has heard a great deal about bringing diversity to your skill set and how it is imperative to be a multitasking guru. However, in this pursuit of multitasking mania, we seemed to have lost focus. And lost focus leads to lost time. How many of us spend time on the phone while checking emails or secretly text while sitting in a meeting? In the state of California, it now is illegal to text while driving. The reason: divided focus leads to disaster.

It is broadly understood that in order to survive an economic meltdown, like we are currently facing, one needs to branch out and diversify. Expand your current offerings or working with other recruiters on splits are a couple different ways to broaden your scope. While this may be good advice in general, what is lost when you mix it up a bit? With so many issues require attention, mindlessness may start to creep in.

Should we be mindless when conducting business? Does mindless behavior roll into conversations with important clients or that elusive candidate? So often, we hear of emails or text messages sent to the wrong party. Mindlessness plays a big part in this type of faux pas. Drop the multitasking persona and get back to the true nature of your business: providing a worthwhile service to your client or customers. Re-attach yourself to the duty at hand. FOCUS. Surprisingly enough, this added diligence will allow you to get more done in less time.

This may be the time to let go of the guru you have tried so long to perfect. Pay attention to emails before you click send, know the facts before you text back, and know your clients and candidates before you say or do something quick and mechanical. A happy customer is more important than a checked box in your task minder.

This is difficult advice to follow, trust me, I know. It has been pounded into our brains that the only way to succeed is to multitask. The dilemma occurs when this routine, or lack thereof, gets you into trouble such as late phone calls, missed deadlines, and broken promises. Breathe, Balance, and Clarity - focus on the task in front of you and the next step will be made clear.

The first rule of focus: wherever you are, be there.