Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

I once had the opportunity to hear Steve Jobs speak. He was talking about focus and said, “When fishermen cannot go out to sea, they repair their nets.” He also said, “In simple terms, even when you can’t do your main thing, always do something that relates to your main thing.”

I thought, and still think, that it is amazing advice. But through the years I’ve discovered one major problem with that. The problem is most people, and I do mean most, have almost no conscious idea what their main thing is.

That means, of course, that they have no way of knowing if what they are doing at any given time relates to their main thing. It’s that lack of focus on their main thing that prevents them from reaching their full potential and living their best life possible.

So how can someone determine their main thing? Well, it requires knowing the purpose or priority that drives you. Discovering that purpose most often involves a good bit of self-reflection and focused attention to your natural inclinations. Here are some things to pay attention to as you seek your own “main thing.”

Alignment with Core Values: Your “main thing” usually aligns closely with your deepest values. If you value creativity, your main thing might involve artistic expression. For those who value service, it could be about helping others.

What Energizes You: When you’re doing your main thing, you tend to feel a unique kind of energy or flow, even if the work is hard. It might feel like time flies by or that you’re at your most effective.

Recurring Interest or Skill: Sometimes, a consistent theme in your interests, talents, or natural skills is a clue. If you find yourself drawn to similar projects, activities, or areas of study over and over, that could be pointing you toward your main thing.

What You Prioritize: Even if life demands a lot from you, notice what you naturally protect in your schedule. If there’s something you prioritize despite being busy or tired, it likely matters deeply.

Internal Reward: Your main thing tends to feel rewarding internally rather than because of external validation or rewards. You may not need a lot of external encouragement to keep at it.

Feedback from Others: Sometimes, those close to you can see patterns that you don’t. They may recognize your main thing in ways you haven’t yet, especially if they see how it impacts you or how often it comes up in your life.

Long-Term Fulfillment: If you think about the future, does it feel satisfying to picture yourself doing this for a long time? Your main thing typically offers fulfillment over the years rather than moments.

People who focus on their main thing are more successful. That’s good, but what’s even better is that they are happier, more confident, more fulfilled, and less stressed out.

But there can be no focus on the main thing until you know the main thing. Put some effort into determining your main thing, and it will pay great dividends. Not only for you but for the people in your life.