For the “no” trifecta, here’s that great quote from Steve Jobs which is always worth revisiting:
People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.
Focus is hard because saying no is hard. We say yes so as not to hurt someone’s feelings, or not to shut the door on a who-knows-maybe-it’ll-work-out-one-day opportunity. And so often it’s the person who can juggle so many plates and do so many things whom we admire and give accolades to. But what of the person or the company that focuses on only a few things — if not one thing — in order to make the absolute best and most delightful product out of their very narrow scope?