Know Your Focus

A wise Finnish DI named Jari Parantainen built an impressive career by helping companies in Finland productize their services and products. Jari's guiding principle was both simple and profound: "If you have more than one focus, you don't have a focus." This mantra is a powerful reminder for entrepreneurs and business leaders alike that scattering attention across multiple areas dilutes the effectiveness of each. Jari's success underscores the importance of maintaining a singular focus to achieve significant results.

Spreading your resources—whether time, money, or energy—too thinly is a common mistake many businesses make. It's tempting to try and conquer multiple fronts at once, but doing so without the necessary resources will lead to disaster. Instead, focus on mastering one area, such as a single social media platform, before expanding your efforts. Only when your resources are sufficient to sustain additional ventures without breaking the bank, should you consider broadening your scope. In the interim, concentrate on perfecting your presence in one space, ensuring that your efforts are impactful and sustainable.

Launching new business divisions or companies can be enticing, but it's a move that requires careful consideration. Unless you have the capacity to hire intrapreneurial individuals—those who can take charge of a business division/company on behalf of you as if it were their own—it's wise to hold off. These types of employees can effectively manage different parts of your business, allowing you to focus on your core activities. Before you consider expanding, invest time in learning how to identify and recruit top talent who can shoulder these responsibilities. Their expertise will be crucial in driving success without demanding your constant involvement.

Ultimately, the key to sustainable business growth lies in knowing where to focus. Whether it's honing in on a single project, platform, or business division, the ability to concentrate your efforts where they matter most is invaluable. By adopting a strategic approach and resisting the urge to spread yourself too thin, you can achieve greater success in the long run. Remember, focus isn't just about what you choose to do—it's also about what you choose not to do.

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