The Dangers of the Hyper-Focus Mindset & The Case for Holistic Growth

In the hustle-first world of entrepreneurship, we're taught that the only path to success is to go hard, put our heads down, and focus on one thing until it’s done. We’re told that family, friends, and personal life are distractions. But what if this mindset is a trap? In our latest conversation, we unpack why a holistic approach to growth is not just a better way to live, but a more effective way to build a legacy.

A lot of us are married, have businesses, and have jobs, so the idea of having just one goal is difficult. The reality is, our lives have many aspects: business, family, friends, and more. You can’t run your personal life like a business. When you’re at work, you can go home and detach, but you can’t do that in your personal life because there’s never any relief. This hyper-focused mentality can lead to anxiety and stress when things are out of your control, which they often are. You just have to roll with it and move on to the next thing.

Instead of aiming for a cold turkey transformation, we advocate for taking baby steps. For example, a book I read talks about setting your goals based on routines you already have, not on random, new routines. Rather than saying you'll get up at 6 a.m. every day, try going to the gym right after work and before dinner, between two established routines. This incremental approach is much more realistic and sustainable than a whole change. I shared how a friend gave up social media for almost a year because someone told him he couldn't. It was hard, especially for business, but it proved that small, intentional steps are more effective than trying to do everything at once.

When you’re building a business, it's easy to think you have to be good at everything. But I learned from a book called "Who Not How" that your job is to know what the end result should look like, not how you’re going to do it. This is especially true when it comes to hiring the right people. It's not just about finding the right skill set; it's about finding the right person who fits your company culture. A great example of this is my experience with the “Culture Index” test. I was able to re-shuffle my entire team based on their personalities, not just their skills. The result? Everyone was happier and more productive because they were in roles that were a natural fit for them.

Another key lesson is the power of delegation. I talked about a situation where one of my team members was burnt out because she was doing the work for others when they made mistakes. The solution? You have to let them make a mistake and fix it themselves. You are getting paid; they are getting paid. You have to let them learn to be accountable for their goals, just as you are accountable for yours.

The ultimate goal of all of this is to build a life where you're not just chasing one thing, but growing in every area. We believe the true currency on Earth is people. We would rather spend money on experiences and hang out with people than buy a bunch of things. It all comes down to what you value.

Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/lpJPbNpJqnE