Over the years, I’ve learned that while finding new opportunities is challenging, deciding which ones not to pursue is even more difficult. In marketing, leadership and life, we’re inundated with ideas, tools, channels and demands. And the temptation is to try and do it all, hoping that more activity equals more progress.
However, the truth is that every “yes” is also a “no”. Every new initiative you take on silently siphons focus, resources and creative energy from the things that actually drive your mission forward. The best leaders I’ve met aren’t the ones who do the most; instead, they’re the ones who have the discipline to prioritize the right things at all costs, even when it means disappointing people or leaving good ideas on the table.
So, here’s my tip for the week: every quarter, write down your top three priorities. Then, draw a line and write “everything else”. And be ruthless about pushing the bottom list away — not forever, but for now. You can’t lead well if you’re trying to lead everything well.
