OFW guide: 10 time wasters to avoid

If you have big plans later on in life such as starting your own business, you need to do two things: stop wasting your time and focus on your goals. You also need the required amount of resources to invest at any given moment when the golden opportunity knocks at your door. Remember, you have to be ready to pounce at the opportunity because some chances come only once in a lifetime. The business news site Inc. compiled a list of 10 things to avoid if you want to achieve your goals right away. (1) Cut back on 'being online' Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and all the social media and apps that make you dabble online for hours on end won't help you get to your goal – unless you are doing advertisements or researching competitors through social media. Cut back or completely avoid 'going online' and you will find that you have more time for your tasks leading to your goals. (2) Wasting resources on the easy way out There are little chances of you hitting the jackpot whenever you join a lottery or any kind of activity that requires a lot of luck to win. Don't bet all your chips into 'gambling' and instead invest your eggs into things that really produce results. (3) Don't mistake yourself for the product Instead of promoting yourself and beeping your own horn for everybody to know how you did this and that, it would be better if you focused on promoting the product. This is unless you are actually the product, say a model who would like sponsors or a commercial advertisement. (4) Not giving it your all Success doesn't come in cheap. If you really want to achieve your goals, you have to be determined to do everything that you can to make it big. Sacrifice is one thing that comes hand-in-hand with success. If you are determined enough to give up something for your goal then you will go a long way. (5) Random networking Just like in anything, splitting your efforts into multiple goals will garner a slower result. Although this may be good in the long run, you don't have that much time when you're starting out. You need almost immediate results. Your best bet is focusing on a single, or at the most, two goals, that will intertwine later on with your ultimate goal. (6) Being vain Are you putting too much time into your Twitter account everyday just to get more followers? Remember that just because Twitter gives you 'followers' doesn't mean that they'll actually follow you to the deepest depths. Make your time productive and search for things that actually bring you closer to your goal. (7) You desire unnecessary things Don't spend too much on unnecessary things. You might regret it later when you need resources when the opportunity comes knocking at your door. (8) Be helpful to others People don't like 'users' who are only interested in others' welfare when they need something from them. Be genuinely helpful and concerned when it comes to the well-being of other people, especially your friends. One day this good attitude will give you good fortune when you least expect it. The best thing about it is that you've earned it. (9) You ponder on useless ideas Drop all the other things that are not related to achieving your goal. You have to be focused on your goal, all the time. Your insatiable hunger to achieve your goal will make you think of things to get to your goal faster. This will propel your productivity to overdrive. (10) Don't whine Faced with a seemingly impossible obstacle? Don't jump the plank just yet. Instead, weigh the options and be positive. Everybody goes through these problems and what you're going through is just normal. Keep on fighting and you will definitely achieve your goal soon. - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News