I recently talked to a client who is in the middle of launching a podcast, building a speaking business, writing a book, AND launching a coaching franchise.
And I had to ask him a question: Can you actually do all of those things at the same time — and do them well?
Now, I love ambition. I love big ideas. And I’m certainly not going to be the person who tells you to dream smaller. But here’s what I’ve learned after more than 30 years in the speaking business: There is a difference between doing a lot of things… and doing the right things well.
We live in a world where we’re constantly told to build multiple income streams. Start a podcast. Write a book. Create a course. Build your social media following. Launch a membership. Become a coach. And, oh yeah… build your speaking business. And technically? Sure. You can do all of those things.
But here’s the question I want you to ask: What happens to the quality of each one when you split your attention between all of them? Because I’ve worked with speakers who have built seven-figure businesses. And here’s something interesting: For many of them, speaking IS the business.
They aren’t trying to build six other businesses at the same time. They’re focused on becoming exceptional at what they do. They’re focused on their message. They’re focused on getting booked. They’re focused on delivering an incredible experience from the stage. They’re focused on building relationships and creating repeat business. And they’re focused on turning one opportunity into another.
Now, I’m not saying you should never have multiple revenue streams. In fact, I think multiple revenue streams can be fantastic. But I believe there’s an important sequence to this… First, build something that works. Then make it work better. Then scale it. Then — if you want to — add something else.
Because every new project comes with a tax. It needs your attention. It needs decisions. It needs marketing. It needs systems. It needs content. It needs your brain. And there’s only so much of your brain to go around.
I’ve been through this myself lately, and I had to step back from one of my big projects.
So if you’re working on a book, a podcast, a coaching program, a speaking business, and three other things… You may feel incredibly productive. But you might actually be spreading your effectiveness very thin.
Here’s the question I would ask yourself: If I could only make ONE of these things wildly successful over the next 12 months, which one would I choose? Not forever. Just for the next 12 months. Because sometimes the answer isn’t “No.” Sometimes the answer is: “Not yet.”
Maybe the podcast comes later. Maybe the book comes later. Maybe the course comes later. Maybe that new business idea goes into your idea file — because it’s a great idea, just not today’s idea.
And there’s something incredibly powerful about giving yourself permission to say: This is my season for THIS. That’s not thinking small. That’s focus. And focus is one of the most underrated business strategies I know.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed right now because you’ve got 17 things you want to build… Take a breath. You don’t have to kill the ideas. You just have to decide which one gets your best energy right now. Because you can do almost anything.
But you probably can’t do everything at once… and do it well.
Would you like to prioritize your list? Let’s have a chat!
