Focus or die
Why it matters
The world is moving fast, right? It’s like a giant, always open theme park, where everyone, including you, is extremely overloaded with information.
It may not be issue for someone, but it definietely should raise alarm in YOUR head. You are an entrepreneur, a trailblazer, a pioneer. And you’re on a dangerous mountain expedition. You need to stay focused to avoid mistakes that will smash your head against a rock. You just can’t live in Disneyland (unless you are inventing one).
Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash
What I think
Do less, but better.
There are many reasone why it’s a good approach:
Less projects, less problems.
Less problems, more time to think.
More quality decisions, more time to learn.
More time to learn, higher skills.
Higher skills, better product.
Better product, faster growth.
What others think
Focus means saying ’no’ to the hundreds good ideas. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. It’s about saying ’no’ to 1000 things. You have to pick carefully.
- Steve Jobs
Go deeper
To win the business, you need to build a castle. A focus castle. It’s indestructible, fortfied tower built to serve its ruler - you. It has the highest walls, deepest moats, and powerful defenders. No one, whoever a human or mouse, can enter the castle, unless invited.
Feeling safe? You shouldn’t. The is about to start and will never end.
The inner fight
You’re a creative dreamer. Everything new grabs your attention.
You believe you can handle all those ideas at once.
You love the energy arising when ideas pop up.
I know you love it. I’m there too.
That’s why this is the most critical battle. The one happening in your head.
Make sure you don’t have a Trojan Horse in the castle.
The everyday fight
You got rid off the Trojan Horse from the kingdom. Great!
Now, prepare for another battle. The everyday combat.
It’s defensive as you’re under attack of things initiated by someone else.
Tasks, emails, requests, alers, calls - you name it.
And remember - the better you are at your work, the biggest your success is, the number of attackers arises.
FOMO fight
People will push priorities into your agenda. That’s the everyday battle.
But they will also expect you to be always responsive.
Moreover, you think so too. Your fear of missing out puts you in that position.
Try JOMO instead. The joy of not being involved in everything that happens at Disneyland.