"الاستراتيجية 101 تتعلق بالاختيارات: لا يمكنك أن تكون كل شيء لكل الناس"

The core idea here is pretty straightforward: in strategy, you need to make choices because you can't do everything for everyone. It’s about focusing on what you can do best and not spreading yourself too thin.

This quote likely came from the business world, where companies often face the tough decision of where to put their resources. You know, it might be tempting to try and cater to every single customer out there, but that approach usually backfires. Imagine a restaurant that tries to serve every type of cuisine. Italian, Mexican, Chinese—everything. It’s likely the quality suffers because they’re not specializing in one area. You can’t be all things to all people, right?

Take Apple for example. When Steve Jobs returned to the company in the late 90s, he slashed a ton of products and focused on a few key items. He made the choice to concentrate on innovation and design, rather than trying to compete in every single tech market. That’s why Apple isn't known for being the cheapest or having the widest selection, but they are known for quality and user-friendly design. And that’s worked out pretty well for them, don’t you think?

If you’re wondering how to apply this in your life, here’s a tip: figure out your strengths and focus on them. Let’s say you’re great at graphic design but also have an interest in web development. You could try to do both, but you’ll probably spread yourself too thin. Instead, why not focus on becoming the best graphic designer you can be? Once you've mastered that, you can add more skills to your repertoire if you want.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend. They just started a small business selling handmade jewelry. They’re super talented but they're trying to offer every type of accessory under the sun—bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings, even custom orders. They’re overwhelmed and their quality is slipping. You might say, "Hey, why not just focus on what you do best? Maybe your necklaces are the standout. Put your energy there and really make a name for yourself."

This decision to narrow your focus can be tough. It feels like you’re giving up opportunities, but in reality, you’re positioning yourself to excel in a niche. And once you’ve nailed that, you can always expand later. Think of it as planting seeds in a garden; if you spread them too thin, nothing grows strong. But if you concentrate your efforts, you get a thriving patch of what you really want.

Remember, making choices is a part of strategy. It’s about deciding where to allocate your limited resources—time, energy, money—in the most effective way. So take a step back, look at where you’re spreading yourself too thin, and make those tough choices. You’ll thank yourself later.