How many new projects and ideas are you planning for 2021?
I ask you this, because one of the fastest ways to massively improve your success rate, is to give your full focus to as few projects as possible.
Why?
When you are a small business owner or consultant, you have a relatively limited number of resources. You’re required to work on many tasks, which larger companies have dedicated teams for. By focusing your valuable time on too many ideas or opportunities, you dilute how effective you can be at any one of them.
Einstein is famously quoted as saying that one of the reasons for his amazing success, was his ability to focus on each individual challenge for as long as required.
By intentionally choosing to focus on one project or plan at a time, and saying ‘no’ to the multitude of other ideas demanding your attention, you get to give your full mental resources to the development of that idea. You also eliminate Mind Fog: The fuzzy thinking that comes from focusing on too many things simultaneously.
Steve Jobs on focus
Steve Jobs shared his thoughts on the power of focus, at the Apple Worldwide Developers’ Conference in 1997:
“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all.
It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.”
– Steve Jobs
As you plan for 2021, determine what the very best use of your focus is. Give that project, idea or opportunity as much of your available time as required. Then move on to the next one.
With a laser sharp focus comes clarity and energy. Both of which are essential for any kind of meaningful, ongoing success.