One of the things I like the most about my home office in California is seeing colorful hummingbirds from my desk. I love watching them floating around, moving from flower to flower, from bird feeder to tree. These tiny creatures are the only birds that can fly backward and upside down. What I find fascinating is their ability to hover in place. Hummingbirds can flap their wings so fast, making them a blur to the human eye.
Moving very fast, without moving forward; unfortunately, that is also sometimes a reality in business. When going to a new market, there are so many things that need to be done, but at the same time, you typically start with a small team. Everyone on the team is extremely busy, working long hours, running from A to Z. At the end of the day, week, or month, you wonder if you made any progress. If you are chasing too many opportunities, without a robust system to support you, you risk that your growth initiative will lead to waste.
If you want to move forward, it is essential to have a crystal-clear focus and set the right priorities. Work on the opportunities where you can excel, and don’t be afraid to neglect others. Finally, focus on output and results, not on the hours of work you put into something.
Working smart and being efficient is much more important than being busy.