The most successful people I’ve met in business usually have a few things in common.
One is the ability to focus on tasks. Another is understanding the difference between strategy and tactics. And these successful people approach business with laser-like vision and dedication.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Too many people trying to make money online often bounce around from one thing to another. They fail for many reasons. One is not focusing on their business as they should.
It is often reported that when Bill Gates and Warren Buffet met in person for the first time Bill Gates’s dad asked both of them to write down on a piece of paper the one thing they believed was most responsible for their success. He made them do it in isolation, they didn’t discuss it or get to see each other’s answers…
When both of them had answered the question and handed the pieces of paper back to Bill’s dad, he was shocked to see that they said the same thing:
“Focus”.
Take a moment and think of the best in any job. They all focus on the job at hand. NFL players never stop learning their position. When they do their career is over. Tiger Woods when at the top of his game still had a golf coach. The best golfer in the world continued learning how to be better at his job.
When I mention this to people I see the look in their eyes of misunderstanding. This concept is not confusing. If you can’t focus on your goals and tasks don’t start a business. Without focus, you will fail.
The Internet is filled with examples of focus and why you should do so. If you honestly and truly want to build an Internet business start reading about how to develop the skills you do not have. Here’s a link to an excellent book teaching you how to focus.
I have an extensive business book library. And most of my books are dog-eared from repeated reading. Some were published many, many years ago. What was true then is true today. Don’t be afraid to learn something new. Also, don’t clutter your mind with too many concepts and bits of advice.
How to Change Direction
I believe one starts from where they are. And uses the tools at hand. If you feel lost simply stop walking in circles. Use your common sense. Stop doing what doesn’t work. Do not continue buying “shiny things” promising great wealth creation while you sleep. Or promises that an offer lets you put in a couple of hours of work and create a digital money machine. That approach is for short attention span wannabees. And it does not work.
Sure you may make a few dollars using tools advertised across the web. Usually, that’s pure luck. But to build a business you have to learn how to build a business.
Nothing is better than learning how to focus.
There is only one way to get money.
You work for it.
Bank robbers actually work at robbing banks. The latest overnight sensation most likely spent thousands of hours learning their craft. Read Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers: The Story of Success
There are no overnight success stories. And success is not something achieved and maintained with your gears in neutral. Think how hard successful people work at being successful. Many people mock the Kardashians. Think how hard each of them works to be the icon they are. Years ago Paris Hilton was Kardashian-like. She was in the headlines constantly. Hilton was famous for being famous.
Where is she today? Why isn’t she capturing the headlines today? Paris Hilton made a choice to leave that path. She simply moved on to another life. One that didn’t require the work to be famous for being famous.
Of all the people dreaming of winning a lottery and buying tickets each week only one in 300 million has a chance of winning the top prize. Yes, 302,575,350 to 1 are the odds of winning the Mega Millions Jackpot.
Success is not a destination.
The road to the top has no off-ramps. You get off that highway when you are satisfied with what you have and no longer want to pursue greater rewards and recognition. When you take a detour it is extremely difficult to get back on track. Focus always. Stay relevant. Be of value. Obsolete yourself before someone else does.
Learn how to use the advice given. Most of us don’t.
The following is an excerpt from Jeffery Hayzlett’s book Think Big Act Bigger. It is widely available.
“My favorite scene in the Pixar movie Up is when the old man Carl and the boy Russell get stranded near Paradise Falls and meet “Dug the Talking Dog.” When Russell asks Dug to speak, he actually does: “Hi there! My name is Dug. I have just met you and I love you!” Dug jumps on Carl and excitedly continues explaining as the two humans stare, shocked and incredulous, “My Master made me this collar. He is a good and smart Master, and he made me this collar so that I may talk. …”
Dug suddenly stops, shoots his head distractedly to the left, and shouts “SQUIRREL!” Anyone who owns or has even seen a dog understands the joke, which becomes a running bit throughout the movie. Even in the most important and direst situations, “squirrels” distract Dug and the other talking dogs. I’m certainly guilty of Dug-like behavior on a regular basis, but I’m also maniacal about focusing when it matters.
As a business leader trying to think big and act bigger, if you don’t relentlessly focus that ownership on what drives your business, create a culture that reflects who you are, and stay grounded as you make things happen, you’ll never see the true rewards of thinking big and acting bigger.
Sure, we all like to do different things and get caught up in this project or that idea, but we must ensure we—and our teams—can answer these questions easily and directly:
-
- Beyond our conditions of satisfaction, what’s the one thing driving our business, and what are we doing to drive it further?
- Is doing that thing going to lead to things you really want and need to get done?
- What is the behavior we want to drive?
- Why are we doing what we’re doing?
That last question is one too many people don’t take the time to ask out loud. Try it, and see what kind of answers you or your team give. More likely than not, you’ll be surprised at what they and you say. Asking big questions is easier than thinking about and acting on them. But you must, because you can’t go in if you don’t know the way out.”
Achieving Success
Lions sleep 18 hrs a day. If hard work is the secret to success, then donkeys would have been the kings of the jungle!
The point of this post is success relies more on your attitude than anything else. It is the result of the way you think. All the business books and online posts mean nothing if your attitude is off.
You have to want success to be successful. It is that simple. And you must focus that want on your chosen path.
Many years ago a friend told me how to become a millionaire. That’s when a million dollars had more value than today. I met him socially and we began hanging out together. We never discussed his business. I learned he was a millionaire when over dinner I said, “If you know a millionaire perhaps we can get him to pay tonight’s check.”
My friend extended his hand across the table with a smile saying, “Okay, I’ll buy dinner.” Then he told me how he acquired his wealth and said he would mentor me to achieve the same. I did not want that path. He’s a multi-millionaire today. I am not. I’m successful in my own right, but not in his league.
We are the result of choices made throughout our lives. Paris Hilton inherited many millions of dollars. Probably more than one could spend in a lifetime. For a time she wanted fame. That was her path.
“What do you want?” is a dangerous question. It’s often asked in anger. Or we ask crying children so to satisfy their moment. I ask. “What do you want to achieve?” Or better ask, ” What does success look like to you?”
Focus on your want. Determine what it looks like. Then learn what you have to do, and what tasks you must perform to make that a reality. Be prepared to make great changes in your life. It is said, “You must give up what you are to become all you can be.”
Whatever choice you make develop a plan and focus on that plan. That’s the way you will achieve your goals.
Thank you for reading this post.
Please share it with family and friends.
Follow me on all major social media.
Sign up for my free premium list. Use this link.
Until next time live well and prosper.
You must be logged in to post a comment.