Do I have to do everything?

Whether or not you like Madonnaโ€™s music, with over 200 million album sales under her belt, thereโ€™s no denying sheโ€™s a master chef of the music industry. Ask her about her cooking prowess, though, and itโ€™s a different story.

Madonna doesnโ€™t do cooking, so when a US ABC journo asked incredulously if she could prepare any meals at all, she fired back, โ€œNo, but I do everything else. Do I have to do everything?โ€ 

Go girl! Frankly, I think Madonna can definitely be excused cooking duties if thatโ€™s what she chooses, and the same goes for us when making similar choices in our own lives and businesses. 

In our solo businesses we have a tendency to do absolutely everything and it undermines our ability to succeed. Can Madonna actually cook? Of course she can. Iโ€™ve seen children doing it on TV for goodness sake. She just chooses not to, which enables her to focus on whatโ€™s more important to her. 

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In the past few days I have had the wonderful task of reading through the draft summary of our recent Understanding Micro Business survey and while (happily) happiness prevails in the small end of town, things could be a damn sight better if weโ€™d only attempt less and focus more. 

In one question we asked what youโ€™d like to understand better, and the โ€œMโ€ word shone through. Thatโ€™s Marketing, not Madonna. 

Iโ€™ve worked in and around the marketing industry for most of my adult life and I can tell you itโ€™s far easier than cooking. The world is full of wonderful books on marketing – covering all industries and budgets, all facets and strategies; and for the price of a quick supermarket shop you can have the best marketing brain syncing nicely with your own. All you need is to put some time aside; turn off your gadgets and be prepared to have Vegemite sandwiches and fresh fruit for a couple of days. 

We donโ€™t have to do everything; we just need to do the things that make the biggest difference. 

What tasks do you choose to forgo and focus on in your business? And whatโ€™s been your best business marketing book investment? Iโ€™ll kick things off by adding a couple of personal favourites. Please add yours or dive in with a comment.