To find success, sometimes we have to dismiss common beliefs and rely on rules of opposites. Find out why putting all your eggs in one basket and focusing on a specific opportunity and goal could lead you straight to success.
Two Rules of Opposites to Follow for Success
There are so many sayings we memorize that make absolutely no sense. Yet we say them out of habit and routine, not realizing just how silly we sound.
For example: “Harv, you can’t have your cake and eat it, too.” Well, what the hell is the point in having the cake then? Or how about this one: “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Well, isn’t that exactly what the Trojans should’ve done?
The point here is that success building requires a lot of deprogramming from so many common beliefs and assumptions we’ve come to take for granted as true, even though a lot of the time it’s the exact opposite.
For example, we learned in my earlier blog post on creative financing that a viable way to jumpstart an enterprise is to buy your product by selling it first. You probably didn’t expect that, but it’s true.
Keep reading to learn two more rules of opposites to follow for success.
Rule of Opposites #1: Put all your eggs in one basket
Most people will tell you otherwise. Why? Because if you put all of your eggs in one basket and something happens—like dropping it—you’ll lose everything. But, I have a solution for that; take bloody good care of that basket!
We already know that no one’s reaching the next level without taking risks, yes? But the way we’ve come to think about our eggs and baskets is fear-based. We have a fear of losing that we need to overcome.
This truth is already established—if you want to be rich, you’ve got to be great at something. And to be great at something, you’ve got to focus on that something. For goodness sakes, that’s where you put all of your eggs!
Rich people are focused. Poor people scatter their energies. It’s hard enough to make one business prosperous let alone divvying your focus and energy up into dozens of different places!
"Find something you're naturally good at and learn how to make a living doing it" @JudgeJudy #RedefinePower
— Moira Forbes (@moiraforbes) June 13, 2017
Rule of Opposites #2: Opportunities can be obstacles
I always hear people tell me, ‘But Harv—I’m constantly coming across great opportunities!’
Opportunities can be obstacles if they take your focus away from what’s in front of you right now. You lose time when you entertain the ideas, maybe do some research on them and find out a bit more. Next thing you know, there you go again scattering your focus and energy.
If you’ve got something semi-decent growing, put the blinders on and go for it. Nobody ever got wealthy by trying to operate more than one business at a time.
One business. One basket.
"Opportunities can be obstacles"
These are the words from my mentor about the importance of focus. Like most of… https://t.co/LXCoDDzmCk— Susan Mwenda-Mulongoti(BEng, AZIM) (@s_m_mulongoti) March 12, 2017
Choose ONE Opportunity and Focus
So you’ll have to choose, but then the next question is, ‘How do I choose?’ Look, you simply have to pick one. It doesn’t matter because it’s the habit that’s the problem. It’s the habit you have to break. Pick one opportunity to focus on. Worse comes to worst, even if you do mediocre on it, you can always let that one go when it’s finally done and get something else going that does work. Eventually, it will work without you, and then you can diversify and add more to your plate.
Choose one and get freaking good at it. Got it? I’m not saying you can’t buy real estate on the side. I’m just saying watch out. Every minute you work on a side project is a minute of time and energy you are losing that could have gone into your one basket.
Remember, there are a lot of opportunities within your business. Make sure you’re doing well with one thing. Get rich first, and then you have the opportunity to start on other projects.
Get rich first!
Now it’s your turn! How can you start following these rules of opposites? Can you identify one new opportunity within your business right now? Will you take action and explore it ASAP? Share your thoughts below and let me know if putting “all your eggs in one basket” just might be a lucrative opportunity for you!
I believe in it. This exactly the way how my mind leading me to behave while doing my business. If my focus for a reason deviated, I immediately feel nervous and confused, till my full focus return to that one thing I wanted to accomplish. Thanks, Harv.
Harv thank you so much! Last night as I was praying before bed I told God I felt drained and scattered. It was then that I decided to drop out of law school and focus on my film entertainment company full time. I already have 2 films under my belt and I won 2 film festivals. Until my films are worldwide and I have a few Oscars under my belt this is my basket. Thank you Harv for these nuggets
Thanks Harv for the uncommon insight you just shared. I’ve read and heard of the the POWER OF FOCUS in whatever we do. But what if you focus on one thing, for example, SPEAKING (for me) but it doesn’t PAY your BILLS (probably because of low patronage); what should one do?
All distractions have equal value when it comes to focusing our energy towards our goal. Well put, Harv. Thanks a lot!
HI,My name is Amit Jain and I am form India, I am in my business form last 6 years and I have done pretty well, but due to certain things and Govt actions the business has come down, though this fall is not predictable, should I try something new business,
I believe the same that the energy should be focused on to one project at a time to get the desired result, yet I am in dilemma, Kindly suggest me.
really wana be a trainer like you and like Mac attram, this is the core thing that I feel I should be doing If I am financially free, I enjoy giving suggestions to my friends and any one whom I know.
Kindly suggest
Can you leave your country? I have read that Singapore is much more business friendly. Also you might want to work on your english skills.
I love this… It time to be a master of something.
This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear today. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
love it! it is so,so true. Thank you for sharing this information with everyone.
Yes, this happens to me a lot. I waste energy in other things without realizing that I am leaving my main project to the side. Need to have a lot of focus and self-disclipline to conquer our goals 🙂 Thanks Harv!
Hi Harv
It is true to succeed one has to focus on one thing first
Frankly you are great
Thanks for changing our mindset
Lwizah
Dar es salaam
Tanzania
Very good point! So true! Thank you.
Thank Harv
This exactly what I was discussing with my upline.
We have to do one job atime and do it with all our hearts and energies.
Thanks again .Now I am sure I am on my way to wealth.
It’s obvious that the two options statements is true,it depends from which angle we are looking at it.
Other things leave us focused on everything else except our goals. Stay busy staying focused. Opportunity comes but being prepared and in motion in the direction of opportunity when it comes or is created is how you win.
Thanks Harv
When I help people prepare their business plans, I first help them clarify their vision and mission statements.
Not all opportunities will move the business in the same direction and magnitude as it relates to their business achieving its vision & mission.. The opportunity that moves the business closest to its being able to fulfill its vision & mission is the one that needs to be seized, without holding anything back. All other opportunities must be ignored.
This is the truth.
Thank Harv
I am right now an unemployed guy but now it´s my moment of opportunities, thank Harv.
This insight is just what I need to move on financially.
Thanks.
I call myself a jack of many trade, I am trying to narrow down and focus on that one thing I should be doing, but am still finding it hard to chose. I know I definitely will someday. Thanks for the motivations, keep them coming please
what a beautiful law of opposite,stay focus on one business and the result will be amazing, thank you, thank you
This is simply what I need at this time. Thanks Harv.
Very nice post.
Andrew Carnegie said he never believed in that statement, “Put all of your eggs in one basket” too. He said something like this: “You should put all your eggs in one basket. Watch the basket . Nurture it. Focus on that one basket”.
We all know what happened with him. Steel Magnet plus more.
Harv, I’m so enjoying the clear and simple messages you share – your advice is wonderful, to the point, and easy to understand, thank you!!
I’ve realize that I have been doing a lot of what you say for the last 10 years, somewhat unaware but ‘knowing’ within, and my husband and I have built a very success B&B here in Kona Hawaii – ranked #1 in the State by Tripadvisor! Never intended to have a B&B, never did more than our best everyday and worked very hard and stayed laser focused: and, by circumstance ended up with all our eggs in this basket. Very happy it did 🙂
With our formula in place, we’re able to be working on the next new business, always fun challenges to explore!
Mahalo for your advice, your humor and clarity! Much appreciated Harv!
Tkhks Havr, for this great teaching’s, I will continue infuse your ideas cum philosophy in my businesses ,to God be the glory.
Thanks Harv 🙂
When one is working alone it is somewhat difficult to focus successfully on more than one project which is where my difficulty lies. Eventhough ideas are born from working on other projects the ideas also create havoc in the mind so in the long run that approach is not worth it.
From what I gather from the article it seem like working on a secondary project can be successful when it adds or contributes to the development of the main event.
This whole article has brought awareness and consciousness to the way in which I use my time to build organize and establish a successful business. I am certainly enlightened. Thank you.
Hi Harv., Not sure where I got this one, maybe even you. However we only have limited time and energy to allocate towards………….the important things. These being family, spiritual, health, financial & emotional. And if we FOCUS too much on one area then we will neglect the others which would make our…………..’tyre run crooked’. Yes, I agree, focus on the ONE THING yet also remember the importance of the other big important things in life.
This is good stuff. The one thing I can do right now is build my audience for my book.
Ironically, a great opportunity just materialized within my business that I have been considering. My delimma is that this opportunity is going to require me to have a much larger basket for all the new eggs. And others will also own some of this basket. But the potential is huge.
Great!!!!! That”s absolutely correct; putting all my eggs in one basket in my passion. I love it and I cherish that. It has worked amazingly for me.
Thanks Harv!
Your words are so valuable, that’s why my business is thriving so well.
Thank you for the Quantum Leap!
I was a single mom and started from scratch, still visiting the foodbank then and now to a a business owner with employees. (felt like bamboo!!!)
You Rock Harv!!
Hi Harv My name is Anthony i have Been trying out different online scheme in order to raise up the capital i will need for the business I’m so passionate about, but all my money has gone down the toilet.
Had i read this article beforehand i would’ve had more than enough in my bank account to start the business….it’s almost like a cycle…..whenever money is in my possession, opportunities starts showing up and i will be tempted to invest and they all sink.
Thanks
Hi my name is Sherrrell,
Thank you for the great read.
I know what is is to have multiple projects going and hard to walk away from what’s making the money but the thing i know will make me rich I am barely doing but it will take focus on it to make it “great”
Hi Harve & Jesse,
My name is David, and I am currently working on building an Shopify ecommerce store. The advise you mention in this article will help tremendously with my business strategies.
Thank you,
Gracias Harv!
Es increíble, pero yo había aprendido que poner todos los huevos en una canasta no era bueno. Pero leyendo tu artículo, y recordando experiencias pasadas, tu enseñanza tiene más sentido.
Gracias por cada clase Harv, ha sido de gran ayuda y fortaleza, quiero conocerte pronto!!