Most entrepreneurs I meet are running a mile a minute, have a million ideas in their heads, and barely have enough time to eat lunch every day. They chase every conceivable opportunity that comes across their tables because it might be an opportunity to make a quick buck.
The downside of chasing these opportunities is that you’re doing just that – constantly chasing. If you’re not focused in on being the best at one thing then you’ll always be chasing that next dollar.
I wanted to keep this post short today and let you reflect on one of my favorite pieces of business wisdom of all time. I just actually put it up on my wall at the office to keep a constant reminder for when I fall off track and someone comes up to me with a “great opportunity.” It’s by Andrew Carnegie:
“And here is the prime condition of success, the great secret: concentrate your energy, thought, and capital exclusively upon the business in which you are engaged. Having begun in one line, resolve to fight it out on that line, to lead in it; adopt every improvement, have the best machinery, and know the most about it.”
How focused are you on your business? Are you determined to stay on track or do you find yourself falling off very quickly?
I would love to hear your thoughts on Mr. Carnegie’s formula for success.
I found the quote to be very enlightnening, in a straight forward kind of way. I want to start an e-commerce business and am working on the preliminary ground work as I tpe. Hopefully I can secure a decent grant and hit the ground running with it. I know it will help many people, especially college students.
Dale Carnegie’s great. Written an age ago but his advice is basic and simple and still makes sense now, and is superior to that of many a modern day management guru.
How to make friends and influence people is a good read for anyone in any walk of life. And in these tough times, I think all entrepreneurs could do a lot worse than read “how to stop worrying and start living”, for the sake of their sanity!
Ref the quote specifically – I agree. Team here knows we have four core things we’re trying to improve on that should take up most of our focus. Other things can come in and we welcome them, but we try to make sure we don’t try to do too many things at once. Finish one, then begin the next. (more like finish 5, then begin the next 5, but you get the point.)
I truly agree on this thought..Because I have found myself in this situation almost everyday of my one year old journey in this mad entrepreneurial world..
Focus is the key..No second thots about it.
Excellent article! The quote is extremely relevant, especially in todays fast paced world.