Lesson 8 of 8
Avoiding distraction and staying focused
Learning objectives
- Recognise the most common distractions in year 2+
- Use a single decision filter for new opportunities
- Build a quarterly review rhythm that defends focus
- Know when to say no to a 'good' opportunity
The big four distractions
New platforms (every quarter), shiny tech (every month), partnership offers that don't fit, and copying another coach's playbook because their numbers look good. Each one costs months if you say yes.
The single decision filter
Before adding anything new, ask: does this advance this year's north-star metric? If no, the answer is no — or it goes in the 'next year' file. This one filter prevents 80% of wasted quarters.
Quarterly review rhythm
Every 90 days: review north-star progress, kill one thing, double down on one thing, ship one new thing. Not five. Three moves a quarter is what compounds — anything more fragments the brand.
Founder insight — Derrick Twum
The 3-year brand maps that actually came true belonged to the founders who said 'no' more than 'yes' in years 1 and 2.
Key takeaway
One filter (does it advance the north-star?), three moves a quarter (kill / double / ship). That's the discipline.
Reflection questions
- 1Which of the big four distractions has cost you most?
- 2What's on your 'next year' file already?
- 3What's the one thing to kill this quarter?
- 4What's the one thing to double down on?
Action task
Run a 10-minute quarterly review: 1 thing to kill, 1 to double, 1 to ship in the next 90 days.
Worksheet
Work through these prompts. Answers save to this device.
Answers are saved to this device only. Cloud sync coming soon.
Related MEM tools
- Business Planner