I remember my first MBA strategy class well. At the end of a semester studying core competence, Porter’s 5 Forces, SWOT Analysis and a bunch of other strategy-planning mumbo jumbo, we had a long discussion in class one day where we summarized the whole semester into one word: FOCUS.

That’s what all strategy work comes down to. And you don’t have to have an MBA or CEO pedigree to see the value of focusing on what you do best. But in practice it can be really tough for a small business to focus on what it does best because focus usually means saying no to attractive opportunities. And no self-respecting entrepreneur likes to say no when opportunity knocks. Plus, it’s hard for a business owner to say no to a sale that will bring much-needed cash into the coffers. But here’s the thing: until the business owner realizes that focus is all about saying “no” the business will not grow as it should.

On the other hand, saying no brings confidence, clarity and meaning to what you are saying “yes” to. It preserves precious resources to be applied to the stuff that matters. It is exciting, empowering and liberating. It brings you focus. It makes your actions more powerful and more meaningful. So, as much as I like Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, I think the term “Focus and Grow Rich” is more fitting for True Small Businesses that want to grow fast. And by the way, if you’re running a business and you haven’t read Think and Grow Rich, you should.