If you see opportunity everywhere, that can be a real strength. It can also scatter your attention. When everywhere you look you see a new cool idea that could just be the next big thing for your business...you risk ending up in a world of split attention and distraction.
Is This Just Me?
If you're anything like me, this might just feel like it's how you're wired - inescapable. Can you relate?
Great at starting things, but frequently failing to follow through. Giving the team whiplash with constant changes. Always busy, occasionally productive. Heavy on ideas, light on focus. Sometimes I feel like a brilliant mad scientist making cool and creative stuff, but I've also felt plenty frustrated at my struggles to follow through.
What To Do?
My thinking on this has grown as I have. I used to see the way that my brain works from a mostly negative perspective. I saw "successful" people building amazing businesses and they were so focused for so many years, and seemed to be implementation masters. So, by comparison, I always felt the need to "fix" my own approach with better morning routines, workout habits, diets, journaling, hiring coaches, and DISCIPLINE.
"Just...gotta...work...harder..." But the problem is, I was using other people as my standard. Here's what I've learned. If you want to build a big, scaled up, multi-seven, eight, or nine figure business, you have to do the following: Build a lucrative business model with one core service and marketing strategy. Repeat and scale it as much as possible.
Then and ONLY then, add new products, services, or marketing methods. This requires incredible long-term focus and commitment. If I actually wanted to build a business like that, I would be best served by hiring an Implementer and staying in my ideal role as a visionary, strategist, marketer, and leader. BUT... What I actually wanted was work that was lucrative, gave me time flexibility, and served as a creative outlet.
Do You!
I thought I wanted an empire, but that's just because I was following empire builders (be mindful of the subconscious impact of what/who you surround yourself with). I really just wanted to make a living through creating, building, and making a positive impact. I suspect you might be the same. If you are, our challenge is different.
We have to find a way to keep work interesting, without driving it off the rails or scaring away our team (unless you want to scare away your team 🙊). But here's the beautiful part that I'm starting to realize - it's all a game. The frustration comes when you think you're playing a different game than you actually are.
If you're in it to create - be creative! Just don't expect it to always run like a well-oiled machine. And if you want the best of both worlds, your biggest job becomes finding the Implementer who is the yin to your yang.
