Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

You ever notice how easy it is to get derailed? One minute you’re laser-focused, and the next, you’re scrolling through emails about office birthdays or debating paint colors for the breakroom.

Here’s the thing: distractions are sneaky. They don’t announce themselves with a loud “Hey, I’m here to waste your time!” Instead, they masquerade as something that feels urgent but isn’t important.

So, how do you protect the “main thing”? Start by asking yourself this simple question: Does this action move me closer to the goal? If the answer’s no, stop right there. Make a U-turn and get back on track.

For teams, it’s about clarity. Make sure everyone knows what the “main thing” is—and why it matters. Weekly check-ins can work wonders: ask each team member to identify one priority that directly aligns with the larger goal. It’s amazing how quickly alignment sharpens focus.

And when you feel yourself slipping into the rabbit hole, try this: pause, breathe, and reset. A quick five-minute break to recalibrate can work better than muscling through distractions.

At the end of the day (wait, scratch that cliché—let’s say, when the dust settles), your success depends on this mantra: keep the main thing the main thing. Simple? Yes. Easy? Not always. But it’s a discipline worth mastering.

---

Mitch Jackson | links