The Personal MBA discussion

I found this book in the bookstore yesterday, and read the entire thing nearly in one sitting. The basis of the book is that on the path to great success there will always be a "dip" a rough patch that seperates those who really want to accomplish greatness from those who do not. The key question you have to ask yourself is whether you are ready to be either number 1 or number 2 in your field. The book also suggests that you should "quit" often things that you cannot be great at in order to focus on the one or two things that you are going to be excellent at.

I have to admit, I found this tough to read because my instincts have always been to diversify. I've always wanted to dabble in a bunch of things--and indeed my motivation for joining this group was to dabble.

I have to say though, that after reading this book my mind has been made up that I truly do need to concentrate on the things that I will be eventually awesome at.

I was wondering where each of you stand on this issue. Are you diversifiers, or do you concentrate? Are you skilled at quiting things that make sense to quit, or do you hang on for two long? I'm very interested to hear your stories.

I need to read this book. I've read a couple of his books but hadn't heard of this one.

I'm a diversifier. But my goal in life isn't really to become great. On the one hand, I could become the best whatever, but there are so many things I want to do in the world that I don't want to focus that much on any one.

However, I've been reading enough about the value of focus lately that I think it's key to even becoming good enough. I was just thinking about one way to apply this a few minutes before I read the review. Thanks for your excellent timing.

I think it depends on your goal in life. My natural tendency is to seek out new and interesting things to learn and do, become moderately proficient at them, and then move on to the next interesting thing. And "becoming great" is not such an interesting goal to me that it would motivate me to change that basic pattern that on the whole, I quite enjoy.

On the other hand, you can look through history at "great" people who are single-focused - like Mozart - but also find others who explored many fields - like Benjamin Franklin or Leonardo da Vinci. So I'm a bit skeptical of the premise that focus is the key to greatness.

I think it may be more true that telling people there is a simple way to be great is a proven way to sell books.

I find focus to be a helpful idea however when I apply it to my various interests - not that I should "quit things I won't become excellent at", but rather to know when to quit things I'm really not that interested in anymore, and are just taking up mental or physical space in my life. So, I prune to free up energy to do new things, not to become "great".

After reading this, I could pretty much copy and paste Emma's comments above.

I can see his thoughts on this topic being helpful to someone who really does want to be the best at something. For me, the value is in giving up the things I'm just not that into, rather than focusing on a single thing.

I do like the concept of the dip. Pushing through the hard part can be tough.