Success: It’s About Focus, Not the Chase

In business, the word success often feels elusive, like something just out of reach. Many assume it’s something you must chase. Frantically running toward it like it is the last latté available on the planet. But after years of working with businesses, I’ve realised something essential: success isn’t about chasing at all. It's about having the vision to see a path forward, and the focus to cultivate it step by step.

Seeing the Big Picture

As a consultant, I often encounter companies that are so engrossed in the pursuit of rapid success that they fail to see the bigger picture. But business success; sustainable, meaningful success, doesn't happen overnight. It’s not a sprint to be won; it’s a long, and often arduous strategic journey. The path you have to walk will be cultivated with your blood, sweat, and tears. There will be days when you want to quit.

Consider the analogy of the eye (like the image above). It’s a reminder that to achieve success, you first need to see it clearly. What does success actually look like for your business? Is it just about revenue growth, or is it about building something enduring? A company that leaves a lasting positive impact on its people, its industry, and, dare I say it, maybe even the planet?

The truth is, without a clear vision, businesses often find themselves running in circles, chasing goals that aren’t aligned with their true potential. The more businesses pause to think strategically about what success means to them, the more achievable it becomes. This does not however mean that you need to implement an eight hour daily zen session to connect with your thoughts on a deeper level. It means you need to stop, reflect, adjust, and drive forward as determined as ever.

Focus Beats Hustle, Every Time

In today’s hyper-competitive environment, there’s a pervasive culture of hustle. But here’s something many businesses overlook: hustle doesn’t always equate to progress. In fact, endless activity without a clear plan can be more damaging than doing nothing at all.

I often advocate for businesses to shift their mindset from doing more to doing better. It’s about being intentional with your actions. Focus on what truly matters and eliminate the distractions. This is where long-term strategies like sustainability, innovation, and leadership development come into play. If you are only interested in being busy for the sake of being busy you will soon be caught in a death spiral not even Tom Cruise could pull out off.

Take AI, for example. Many businesses are diving headfirst into AI technologies, which is great. But how many are stepping back to ask the important questions first? Like, What problem is this AI solving for my business? How does it fit into our long-term vision? AI, when applied with purpose, can accelerate growth. But when implemented just to keep up with competitors, it can become another shiny object that distracts from meaningful progress.

Learning to See Opportunities, Not Obstacles

When it comes to business, challenges are inevitable. Economic shifts, technological disruption, and changing customer expectations are par for the course. But here’s the thing: every challenge presents an opportunity, if you know how to look for it.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked with businesses that, at first, saw disruption as a threat. But with the right perspective and strategies, we’ve turned those disruptions into avenues for innovation. It’s not about avoiding problems; it’s about having the vision to see them as opportunities for growth.

This is especially true when it comes to sustainability. Many companies still treat sustainability as a "box-ticking" exercise to keep stakeholders happy. But the most successful companies I’ve worked with understand that sustainability isn’t just a compliance issue it’s a core part of future-proofing their business. Customers, employees, and investors are increasingly drawn to companies that are genuinely committed to ethical practices. In the long run, sustainability becomes a competitive advantage, not a cost. People are getting out of the business of polishing turds, your strategy needs to be aligned with a true functional purpose that speaks truth.

The Value of Strategic Patience

In a world that glorifies fast wins and quick profits, patience is often an underrated virtue. Yet, strategic patience knowing when to act and when to pause is what separates long-term success from short-lived gains.

There’s a temptation in business to respond to every trend, every competitor move, every new technology. But true leaders know when to wait. They take the time to reflect on how decisions today will impact their business five, ten, or twenty years down the road.

The companies that succeed in the long term are those that aren’t afraid to slow down and think strategically. They don’t just react…they anticipate. They focus on building a resilient business model that can weather change, not just chase short-term results.

So where does this leave us

Success is less about the frantic chase and more about the strategic vision. It’s about slowing down, focusing, and aligning every action with a larger, long-term purpose. In my work, I’ve seen how businesses can thrive when they take a step back, focus on clarity, and approach growth with intention. So, ask yourself: are you chasing success, or are you building it?

Written by: Nardus Oelofse – Chief Consultant, Chase & Marshal

Contact me today: www.chasemarshal.com

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