The Fine Art of Focus - Just Because You CAN Doesn't Mean You SHOULD

It still amazes me how much opportunity there is out there.  With a handful of low-cost tools, a little know-how and the right attitude, people can jump on all sorts of great opportunities.

But there's the problem…soooo many opportunities!

I'm pretty good at filtering these things out now, based on some rules I've come up with for what sort of projects I'm willing to take on.  But every once in awhile, something sneaks in under the radar.  Then it's a day spent ooohing and ahhhhing over how awesome that such-and-such idea would be…how we could do this, how we could do that…you get the point.

That's why it's best to come up with some rules for what you will and (more importantly) WILL NOT do.  Like the title says, just because you can doesn't mean you should.  There are a million and one ways to make a buck, online or offline.  But that doesn't mean you should jump ship off your current project just because something comes along that looks better and that also matches your skills, interests, etc.

For example, just because you know how to create ebook, DVD, or CD graphics doesn't mean you should setup shop and start doing that for a living.  Maybe you should, but maybe it doesn't fit in with what you're looking for.  It may take too much time, or you may not want something that's strictly based on the amount of time you put in, etc.  Then again, it may be so enjoyable for you (or so profitable) that it makes sense, at least in the short term.  It could be a short-term strategy in lieu of working a job - a way to bridge the gap from employee to business OWNER (emphasis on owner, rather than self-employed DO-er).

Another example…maybe the idea has an unpredictable income stream, like Google AdSense.  You might decide that letting Google (even potentially) impact your ability to keep the lights on makes for bad strategy.  Hmmmm…don't want to end up like this guy.

So what's on your list of "I won't do that for money" things that helps you keep focused when new ideas come along?

Don't have a list?  You should probably make one.

Have a list? Feel free to leave a comment below.

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