The One Reason You Are Not Nearly As Productive As You Could Be

After some 20 years consulting, coaching, and advising close to a thousand clients, I've learned there is one cure that solves most problems.

It's been a while since I last posted here. Stupid reason. I lost my domain tobias.blog, after which I could not access my account. First, I was mad at Substack for making it hard to remove the domain and keep writing (I still am). So I took my focus elsewhere, and just like that…two years passed.

I think similar things happen to us all. We mean to do something, but we fall off the wagon (well, at least I did). Or to put it another way, we lose our focus and scatter our attention and energy all over the place.

This tendency is what prevents so many from achieving their dreams.

Working with more clients than I can remember for the last 20+ years (my lazy calculations puts me at close to a thousand), I have come to see the most common patterns repeat themselves over and over again. And what I am about to share will not surprise you. In fact, it might annoy you.

If you’re stuck not growing, not making pay check, or just tired of grinding and feeling like you’re not getting closer to your goals and dreams, I can say with about 95% certainty that you have the same problem that about 95% of entrepreneurs have.

You lack focus.

More often that not, I find my clients scattering their focus on the following ways.

+ Their positioning is too vague and broad.
This is leading them to chase almost any type of clients that are willing to pay money. This leads them to dilute their skills, position, and their whole business.

+ They focus on providing almost any type of service the client asks for.
An important part of positioning (getting clients to understand why they should choose you), is to be clear about what specific problems you can solve better, cheaper, faster, than anyone else.

+ They focus on solving too many problems.
All offerings, services, and products exist to solve problems. If you focus on too many, there is no way you will become the best, or only, in one area.

+ They keep chasing new ideas
Don’t I know this one…always coming up with new ideas, thinking the new idea will outperform the old ones. Yet, the reality is that you can make almost any idea work if you focus on it for long enough.

Let’s Do The Math On Scattered Focus (It Will Blow Your Mind)
To illustrate this in simple mathematical terms, let’s assume that the following business-crucial activities are equally important to your business, and that they are interlinked (which they are).

1. Focusing on attracting only one type of client with all your marketing and content.
2. Setting up meetings with new prospects (the right ones).
3. Making and closing the right types of offers offers.
4. Delivering value to existing clients at a good profit.
5. Upselling and retaining the right clients.

Now, let’s assume of all the time that you work, you are able to focus on these five essential tasks (and perform them in the best possible ways) to 70% .

In other words, you waste 30% of your time and energy by drifting off, questioning yourself, exploring other ideas, serving the wrong clients, or simply focusing on the wrong things.

How optimised are you?

If optimal success would mean you perform at 100% for each task, you’re now operating at only 17% of your potential productivity. Yes, you read that right.

Your lack of focus compounds in a negative way.
You are attracting 30% less leads.
With 30% less leads (opportunities), you’re also setting up 30% less meetings.
You are getting 30% less leads x 30% less meetings, x 30% less closed deals.
Etc. You get the picture.

When your business depends on several core tasks, consistently performing each at only 70% means your overall productivity drops to just 17% of what’s possible. Focus, discipline, and targeted improvement are essential to avoid the heavy cost of compounding inefficiency.

And let’s be honest, for many of us a 30% loss of focus is still not that bad…

Which means, if you agree this is your problem, you’re potential is MASSIVE.

I mean, INSANELY BIG.

In business—and especially in entrepreneurship—focus isn’t just a productivity hack; it’s the difference between building something remarkable and running in circles. When you zero in on the essence of your business, you unlock clarity, momentum, and results that scattered attention can never deliver.

Why Focus Solves (Almost) Everything
When you focus on the essence—your core product, your best clients, your unique value—you create space for real progress. Here’s how focus becomes your superpower:

Clarity of Vision: Knowing exactly what matters most allows you to align every decision, task, and investment with your long-term goals.

Deeper Mastery: Focusing on one thing lets you refine your craft, build better systems, and deliver outstanding results.

Better Decision-Making: With fewer distractions, you make smarter, faster choices that move your business forward.

Sustainable Growth: Focused businesses outperform scattered competitors, achieving higher retention, satisfaction, and profitability over time.

How to Get (and Stay) Focused
Define Your Essence: What’s the one thing your business does better than anyone else? Make it your North Star.

Say No (A Lot): Ruthlessly cut out distractions, side projects, and “shiny objects” that don’t align with your core mission.

Build Systems for Deep Work: Block time for uninterrupted focus, delegate non-essential tasks, and protect your energy.

Regularly Reassess: Check in with your vision and priorities to ensure you’re still on track and not drifting into busywork.

Bottom line:

Scattering your attention is expensive—both financially and emotionally. Focus is the solution to almost every entrepreneurial problem: it brings clarity, drives excellence, and turns ambition into achievement. The more you focus on the essence, the further you’ll go.

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If you want to work with me, I run a Growth Accelerator where I guide you and support you toward your goals. I provide training, playbooks, tools, a weekly call, and endless amounts of support between calls.

If you’re interested, email me at hello[at]thesimplecompany.com