Focus On the ONE Thing

As a management consultant, I spent much of my consulting time helping clients discover and focus on the most important aspects of their business. They were often overwhelmed with tasks and projects that had little to do with overall success.

That’s where I helped them define their ONE Thing.

A business needs to make a profit, and have positive cashflow. Without both, they will eventually die.

But, the ingredients for these two essentials range all over the map, and depending on the business, might not apply – right now. Customer acquisition, sales process, followup, expense control, inventory control, customer care, vendor relations, banking — just some of the areas of concern.

The management task is to identify the obstacles and bottlenecks to success, and work out plans and procedures to overcome.

Here is how I’ve helped clients. I’ve given them a checklist or roadmap for making progress.

  • Of all the things that need to be done, what is that ONE Thing you need to Focus on – right now – for success?
  • Can you Define it, Describe it, Picture it?
  • What are the obstacles you need to overcome?
  • What resources do you have, or need?
  • Make a plan. Create Processes and Procedures to support this ONE Thing.
  • Focus, Aim, Zero-in, Prioritize, Measure.
  • Remove distractions. Shed the minutiae. Focus of the ONE Thing.
  • Work, work, work on the ONE Thing until you’ve conquered it. Then move on to the Next ONE Thing.
  • Track progress. Reflect. Evaluate. Refine.

I don’t know what your ONE Thing is. I do know you have one, and that it’s probably languishing and begging for attention. If you’re like me, it’s easy to procrastinate on the important stuff – because it might seem too hard.

Buck up! It’s the most important thing you can be working on.

Get. It. Done!

John L

 

 

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