Opportunities Might Be Your Enemies
There are so many sayings we say—most of the time without thinking about it—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’s 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. We learned last week that a viable way to jumpstart an enterprise is to buy your product by selling it first.
Let’s take a look at another Rule of Opposites: 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; fear of losing.
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. Everything is one thing. It’s hard enough to make it in one business let alone divvying it up into dozens of different places!
‘But Harv—I’m constantly coming across great opportunities!’ This brings me to another Rule of Opposites:
Opportunities can be obstacles!
Opportunities can be obstacles if they take your focus away from what’s in front of you right now. That takes your time because you entertain them, maybe do some research and find out a bit more, and there you go again.
If you’ve got something semi-decent growing, put the blinders on and go for it. Not one person ever got wealthy to begin with in more than one business at a time. One business. One basket.
So you’ll have to choose, but then the next question is, ‘How do I choose?’ Look, pick one. It doesn’t matter because it’s the habit that’s the problem. Pick one to focus on. Worse comes to worse, even if you do mediocre with it, you can always let that one go when it’s finally done and get something going that does work—eventually without you. Then you can diversify and add more.
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 do the other one you are losing time and energy that could have gone into your one basket.
There’re a lot of opportunities within your business. Make sure you’re doing well with one thing. First get rich and then you have the opportunity to go into other things. Get rich first!
Now it’s your turn! 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.







Spot on! I have always been preaching to my downline leaders to stay focus and direct their focused energy on to the business they're building right now. Don't sway away, unless you're rich and successful at what you're doing right now.
Spot on! I have always been teaching my downline leaders to stay focus and direct their focused energy on to the business they're building right now. Don't sway away, unless you're rich and successful at what you're doing right now.
I agree, Harv. I've been doing my Resonance Repatterning energy healing practice for 10 years and I can honestly say that I'm one of the very few people I know who makes a decent living doing just holistic healing. I have a unique business model focusing on doing proxy groups (distance healing groups). There is unlimited earning potential with distance groups because there's no limit to how many people can join a group. There were times when I seriously questioned whether this was a good model. But I've stuck with it and focused on my vision, and my groups and my business have grown and will continue to grow.
Now I'm learning about on-line marketing and I'm about to launch an Affiliate Program. In addition I am opening up my archives and offering retroactivate healing sessions to create passive income.
Instead of mastering one healing system and building their practice, many healers go to one seminar after another and they don't focus on getting good at and implementing what they have already learned. Then they get a job because they think they can't earn a living doing just energy healing.
Complementary and alternative medicine is one of the fastest growing fields and there is plenty of economic opportunity for anyone and everyone in this field. Perfecting my craft and implementing my business model has been the key to my success. I am living proof that focus and perseverance really do pay off!
Well! this one was for ME! I chose to focus on a business, but I still kept “doing” my other profession- freelance performing. And I am ALWAYS looking at other “things” I'd like to do, so I haven't gotten WEALTHY at the one business is PROVEN to create wealth! Thanks, Harv. BTW, My upline will thank you too.
Hit the nail on the head with this one Harv !
Exactly the problem I've had, going too many directions at once and following the “don't put all you eggs in one basket” theory !
id like to say “i do have too many irons in the fire, but as each one i get educated at will florish with $$$”. I didn't know much about business and the mind set with a blueprint before reading your book now i am so interested in learning before acting as due diligence will show me the way. Thanks for the teachings!
I agree Harv, in 1993 I tried having (2) start-ups, by 95' I had to let one die (poor thing).
The other took off like a rocket…sold it 2 years ago made lots of $$$.
Living Life By Design
http://www.joegriffith.me
Great Point! When I started out I was all over the place and now that I'm more focused it's so much easier to bring in new clients and accomplish more in my business!
I don't agree with this. There are circumstances in life that do not depend on yourself.
This was a very good article and makes good sense to anyone
looking for opportunities.
Hi T. Harv,
I agree with picking one thing and get really good at it. I also allow some time during the week to learn about other things, but my focus is only on one thing. Makes the rest of decisions easier to make.
Karen Cox
http://www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/karenlcox
I have too many eggs, and too many baskets… I want to be rich but then I feel bad, because I start to think I am ungrateful for what I already have, so I fall back into victim thinking …. My motto must be “If I get rich, then everybody can be rich too”…. is this a wrong thought to have, dunno, but I can try it! xx lots of love, Virginia, I believe in fairies and angels, and this can be a magical existence 😉 http://www.godwantsyoutoberichmovie.com
Thank you Harv,
I am sending this too all my students. The trick is to master something.
I stress that incremental changes and always doing to improve, doing more with less is where the mastery sets in.
Distractions are everywhere, focus, focus and focus some more…..
Cheers.
Joel
https://www.moneymakeredge.com/blog
I bake the bezt darn, healthiet bread you've ever tazted. Nothing comparez. I made a lot of miztakez before I got it right. Nom I zell it and can teach otherz hom to make it. I even have a youtube video zhoming hom. (zorry for the lizp—i don't zpeak like thiz in perzon… my keyboard iz on the blitz… mierd, I knom!) =D
Amen! I am so glad you are saying this. As an actor, therefore an artist, I am part of a crowd that seems to always need the 'other jobs' to pay their bills. It's understandable, you want to be able to function and meet your obligations, however I believe finding opportunities within that one chosen field is better than having jobs in other areas growing on the side. Will Smith said in one interview that even just having “Plan B” can dilute the success of 'Plan A”. So it takes, faith and courage but focusing on one thing and putting all of one's eggs in one basket is the way to go.
I like this entry very much. Thank you a lot for giving me this awesome advice!!
Mr.T.Harv I being recibing information from you and I realu apreciate this, but my situacion right now it's wore then ever worse then after I read youre book ….I realy like yoire book bit over here in mexicali baja california mexico ..the economy ut's stuck, I'm a Lawyer I have a Master degree in International Law for corporation international we talk about canada, usa nad mexico…but over here theres NO job;s I have twoo kids I can't supporte them even my on person we are fuck top…….
I now you like to help people PLEASE can you help me?
I sow some information about your school in vancopuver canada …I prety close to recibe a few money and my planes its to live my twon Mexico and loke for a new life…I see and a oportuniti mugh be working for you in you program school…or and the administration or just cleaning sweping in school
SO CAN YOU HELP ME I WILL VICIT YOU VERY SOON AND SPEAK ABOUT I BUT PLEASE GIVE ME AND OPORTUNITY YO MEET YOY …THANKS…
Virginnia,
You got it! That motto is great. The more you have the more you can help the world and those around you.
Be Well,
T Harv
Thanks for the topic. I'm focus.
YES, 100% T HARV about focus on one thing means business any one you have or you are interested to focus,to be true my focus is get millionaire every thing I do lead to get rich as T HARV said once you get rich than all the eggs will come in one basket automatic cycle of riches ,but you have to focus from new mind set and change new business model like a race car set and go,include all training and mastering final ACTION.
Thanks Harv. It is really good for me. I was thinking what i would select…. There were two choices. I got your message on correct time. ( Like from God) Now I can focus in one way. Thanks again.
Nimal (Sri Lanka)
Well that is good advice but the delema I have is I have one big slew of baskets. And this started in High School almost 60 years ago. Don't write me off just yet, as a looser. Can there be the chance that I get it right in the final inning?? Or maybe the 7th. I like what you are saying but then all I hear is multipule streams of income. Over and Over…. I think I am on the right track. Let me give you the line up. I am a Realtor, Artist, Interior Desiger, MLM in two products, into vintage resale, I have a book that needs to be published and wanting something else to invest in. Of course the question is which basket???? How do I decided which??? They just trickle in the money. No big winner. This would be a good discussion for those that are like me. How does one decide which opportunity to go with?? Is there some formula? Some test? Some prayer? It seems that I need to pick the right one or DIE!!! Not too cool of a place. Anyone????
i am confused! After getting a poor paying marketing job i am always opting for side project for better earning for my families sake! my heart lies in counseling which i am studying now and running a placement side by side. although i have to keep that job because it pays greater than my other job. i wish someday i could run my counseling businesses. anyone plz help? how?
Choose anything that you like to do and become the best in it!
(Developed skills)
Thanks Harv Haker
Now that got me thinking… and I think I just identified a couple new opportunities in my business! Thank You 🙂
Bayleenealon very well expressed. I think in your case “passion” and “efficiency” should be your guide. 1) What do you love most? 2) What business has the maximum return for your invested energy?
One of my friends who established a company and made $120 million in exactly 10 years told me that in business there are two goals: survival and growth.
I think what Harv is telling in this blog is that we need to focus first on survival (which according to some research equals $150,000 a year in net income) doing one particular business. Then when we pass that level it is permitted to focus on other businesses.
I guess in your case you passed the survival mode and headed to growth. It means for you multiple income is fine..
(Greg Matinian)
I believe this is for me, I have been looking at multiple ways of making money but I have not made a dime from one.
I am deprograming my mind so I can start over. Thank you T.Harv.
Great info Harv! I just got back from some great NLP training and I meet someone who uses a “focus Falcon.” When he feels he’s being distracted by opportunities he looks at the Falcon and to get refocused on what he truly wants.
I love the idea of a focus Falcon. It ties very nicely with W.I.N. – What’s Important Now.
Thanks for the great info.
Harv! I love this! For months and months I have been telling some people I know to FOCUS ON ONE THING! I know someone who calls me every month with a new business and it's just exhausting! I believe that putting your energy in one thing keeps you mentally focused and you start to see the accumulation of your efforts and energy in a positive way! I'm so glad you posted this because people don't realize that you CANNOT ride 3 or 4 horses to a finish line…you can only ride one! I'm sticking with my coffee business because I see my work manifesting in an amazing way!
Harv, today I am in the worse financial position in my life because 9 months ago I chose to give everything I was doing up and focus on one new business project that had great potential to create for me large stable long term income. I got the best and highest paid people in that business to coach me and I became really good, actually one of the best in my market.
However, the income didn't turn out as I had planned, ruining me financially for now. Maybe in the future it will pay off, but its definitely not something which can support me now if I keep putting all my focus on this one business. It was like suicide doing that.
Now my new aim is to have multiple streams of income. If I had not given up my previous business just to put on blinders and focus on one think, maybe I wouldn't be rich yet either, but I would definitely be in a better financial position….
Would welcome your comments…
Harv,its not even funny. I read this blog so at the right time. Thanks a ton!! 🙂
I am actually going through that phase where I am trying to identify what I am really good at so I can put full focus on it and achieve what I've always wanted.
Hi Bayleenealon,
I agree with Greg. I don't think there is a magic formula for choosing. I suggest that you take into account which one you absolutely love to do, because it will be easier to stick to something over the long haul if you love it.
Balance that with which one has the most money making potential. Do some market research to find out which of your endeavors has the most income and growth potential.
All the best,
Elizabeth
I agree, Patrizia. When I was starting my Resonance Repatterning practice, I was unemployed. Instead of looking for a job to tide me over until I grew my practice enough to support me, I decided to make my practice my job. I figured that all of the time I spent job hunting and then working a part-time job was time taken away from what I really wanted to do. As Roy Orbison said, “If you have something to fall back on, you probably will.”
Hi Achatterjee99,
I was in a similar situation. Back in 2000 I was working for an Internet company, but I wanted to get certified in Resonance Repatterning and start my own business.
The Internet job started to demand more and more of my time. But I set the intention to make sure that I took enough time for myself to learn Resonance Repatterning. I divested myself emotionally from the Internet job and made sure that I made time to devote to my studies. I still worked full time at the Internet company By the time I got laid off from the Internet company, I was well on my way to starting my new business. If I had abandoned my dream and let the Internet job suck all my time and energy I would have been left with nothing.
Since you have a family to support I suggest you keep your job, but do what you can to start building your counseling business. This is going to take time and dedication, but you can do it.
I
Harv, I love what you say about deprogramming ourselves and thinking about what we're really saying to ourselves on a daily basis (especially if it makes no sense). I just saw the movie, Law of Attraction, and fully believe that what we focus on expands. Therein, it's not surprising that so many people have the “overwhelmed” syndrome, having “not put all their eggs in one basket”. Right now, I am putting all my eggs into the basket of branding myself as an employment expert. What helps me is to keep asking if what I'm doing gets me closer to or farather away from accomplishing what I really want for myself. It's amazing how easy it is on the tasks that don't propell me closer and are just reactive. On our possibility challenge call tonite, Paul Hoffman said that “productivity = taking control of your day” and to mean, that means, making sure that I'm staying on task to keep my focus.
Harv-
You're right there are so many great opportunities out there. I have in the past gotten distracted and it ended in failure.
Staying focused in ONE thing is essential in becoming and staying successful.
-Douglas
Hey Harv,
It was so nice to finally see that someone else agrees how ridiculous the saying “you can't have your cake and eat it too” sounds. I've always said “why the heck not?”
It's so true that people seem to think that having many businesses on the go is a good thing. I've seen this happen to many people over the years and I've always said “if you haven't mastered the first one then why start up another?”. Being an Entrepreneur myself, I understand how easy it can be to get caught up in the next best thing, but if you've already found a good thing then you really need to stick with it. It almost reminds me of that other saying “the grass is always greener”. We need to get to work on our own grass, plant more seeds and nurture it in order to watch it grow. We really do need to put the blinders on and stay focused and believe that our choice was made for a reason and stop looking for more. It's really not that complicated if we just stick to the plan. I will continue to work hard and stay focused and I certainly plan on taking very good care of all my eggs in my one basket.
Thanks for the great post Harv!
Dana Prieur
This one really hit home! I agree, putting all the eggs in one basket is the way to go. Now, off to find a big basket! 🙂
This is awesome!!
Hi, certainly there are circumstances that we do not control. Nothing new in that. However, how we deal with ANY circumstance depends on ourselves and nobody else. The point is that if you want Your Dream, YOU are the only one who can get you there and difficult circumstances will only stop you if you allow them to do so. With the necessary focus and commitment you overcome or bypass the circumstances 😉
I have two loves and it is so hard to settle just on one 🙁 but it makes sense to do it! So, which one will be the one cut off?…
Thanks!
I am in the midst of changing baskets and it is tough to toss the one I have been holding onto for years. This new basket could bring me good money and I don't have to rely on anyone else to make it happen. So I am tossing the old one…a very expensive basket that I nurtured as much as any good entrepreneur could. Thanks Harv.
Thanks for this post Harv. I got it just at the right time. I'm starting out as an entrepreneur. I have already been to the MMI program in London which is really helping me work on my mindset. The challenge for me has been the many opportunities out there, where to start and which ones to focus on. I'm embarking on the this journey to financial freedom primarily to be able to spend more time with my children and family and to impact my world. But I'm caught up in so many things I hardly get time for the kids. Your post just enabled me to STOP, REFLECT and FOCUS. What I have learned, reflecting on your post, is to focus on one business at a time and make sure it works, at least to a certain point, before embarking on another. Most importantly, I realise the importance of not putting off time with family but rather making sure I have the right balance.
yes yes yes i agree….. successful sportspeople dont usually train in more than 1 sport….
I am into Contract-support Services and ever so often I get requests to help help recruit temporary staff. Tempting as this ''opportunity'' may be (high workload and the promise of great returns), I know it will compromise my development in my chosen field (i.e. Contract reviews/advisory services).
Knowing this, I will pass on this opportunity while I finetune my skills in my chosen field. I don't have to do everything.