Comments on: Focus Your Effort on the Big Wins

By: Jason Shick

Jason Shick — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:13:02 +0000

This does seem to be an adaptation of the 80/20 principle, but it’s a refreshingly simple way to look at it. People focus more on the little things, like the $3 latte because it’s an easier answer to the question. For example, how can I save money…. don’t buy a latte, instead of pay of my mortgage or refinance for a lower rate. It requires less of the person and human nature tends to gravitate toward what is simple. Though, when people aren’t focused on the big win, as you call it, it’s easy to take the money you saved from not going to starbucks and spend it on something else that still doesn’t constitute a big win. Here’s a quote from somebody smarter than myself that I’m sure I am butchering to some degree…”To have the success that others don’t have, we must be willing to do what others are not willing to do. “

By: Omar

Omar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:56:31 +0000

Great Article. I guess it’s sort of an illusion instant gratification but then again five to ten years you wonder was it really worth it. Your not at the level you want to be.

By: Maniladawg

Maniladawg — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:37:57 +0000

I think focusing on BIG wins is important BUT i disagree with ignoring SMALL victories. I personally believe it is JUST as important as the BIG one.

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:17:25 +0000

James,

Small steps done regularly still produce big results in the long term so they shouldn’t necessarily be neglected.

I agree. Just you shouldn’t focus on the smaller victories at the expense of the bigger ones. I think that’s the mistake that many people make.

Steve,
I also love Ramit’s method of automating your finances. I need to modify it since not all of it can be applied in my country, but the idea is sound.
Regarding cutting expenses, I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. As James said, small steps can give big results in the long term.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:58:24 +0000

Donald, thanks for sharing this information. I absolutely love Ramit’s blog, and some of the ideas he has shared for wealth building, especially his posts on automating your finances. I agree with you, although I have definitely been one of those who has reversed priorities when focusing on saving money and cutting expenses. Just recently we got a new carrier for auto insurance, and are saving over $300-450 per year!

By: James @ Organize IT

James @ Organize IT — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:48:28 +0000

Good read. I certainly agree about this. Though regarding those smaller victories, I think you should still focus on them, but in a different way. Small steps done regularly still produce big results in the long term so they shouldn’t necessarily be neglected.

By: Vern | IncAnswers

Vern | IncAnswers — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:03:55 +0000

Donald,

Yes. Recently I’ve been looking at that and I realize that if I can ignore the 80-90% that’s pulling me away from the 10-20% that’s making me $ I’m going to be really quite successful. If you put 90% of time into what is working – it’s really the best plan of action. Will reply to your facebook msg shortly here…

By: Donald Latumahina

Donald Latumahina — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:22:15 +0000

Vern and Vlad,
It seems that focusing on the big wins is actually an application of the 80-20 principle. Successful people are those who ignore the bottom 80% and go directly to the top 20%.

By: Big Wins | Cube Rules

Big Wins | Cube Rules — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:04:19 +0000

[...] Optimizer notes in Focus Your Effort on the Big Wins that even though this focus should be a no-brainer, the reality is different: One reason is that [...]

By: Vlad Dolezal

Vlad Dolezal — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:39:21 +0000

Great point, Donald!

I think a lot of people get stuck in small-picture thinking, or somehow they feel that they need to advance slowly, step by step.

But I see again and again how the most successful people ignore society’s expectations of step-by-step advancing, and go straight for the big wins.