In the quest to become formidable, sometimes we labour at 20 separate levers. But what if only one gave the magical traction? What if dispersing energy were a mistake? 

Common sense asserts that a broad, catch-call approach, covering a multitude of bases, will ultimately pan out. Sometimes common sense is wrong. Sometimes a single factor gets the job done. It might be paying for SEO. Perhaps having a book. Sometimes it’s that television appearance; the so-called ‘Oprah effect.’ 

My challenge to you this week: If you were forced to reduce your career-growth efforts to one thing and one thing only, what would give you the greatest traction? Perhaps it’s time to do that with a laser focus. Perhaps it’s time to dispense with the extraneous and become the greatest in your game.