Remember Your Core Focus

by Frank L. Williams

Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, said “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

Over the years, I’ve seen far too many businesses and organizations lose sight of their primary purpose. 

In the non-profit world, this is often called “mission creep.” An organization that has limited resources and is already stretched thin decides to take on a new project or initiative that, while well-meaning, is outside of their core focus. While the initiative itself isn’t a bad thing, it compromises the organization’s ability to achieve its primary purpose.

In the business world, leaders sometimes add new products or services that are outside of their company’s core competencies. Rather than working in and building up their areas of strength, they expend valuable time and energy on attractive, “shiny” new ideas without taking the time to consider whether the effort is really worth it. They also take on projects or clients that they aren’t equipped to handle because they don’t want to turn down the business. In those situations, no one wins.

Not every new idea is a good one. Even if an idea is generally a good one, that doesn’t mean it’s right for your organization. 

One of our 2026 goals at Pioneer Strategies is to work with the clients we can best serve and zero in on the strategies and services we can most effectively leverage to help them succeed. 

This year, identify your “main thing” and make it your core focus.