What's the MAIN Thing?

"The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."  

-  Stephen R. Covey

Several years ago, I was in the office of the General Manager for a business incubator.  He had just provided the group that I was in with a tour of the facility he was responsible for, when I spotted the above quote by Stephen R. Covey on his wall.

One of the many things I mention to business audiences is that the main thing in business is to keep the 'main' thing, the 'main' thing. There will be those who will come to you, and ask if you can to do something different for them.  While you may be able to do it, the question is really, should you do it?   

• You need to know whether or not that request is something that you should take on! 
• Is fulfilling that request going to add to the growth of your business, or is it a distraction that you should politely decline, and refer to another source?

How do you keep your focus on the 'main thing' in your business?