One Focus - Make It Matter

Hi, I’m Tim Ikels.

Have you ever felt frustrated when a tool or product fails you repeatedly? It’s meant to simplify your life, but instead, it complicates things and adds unnecessary waste.

I’ve been there. My high-tech coffee maker, touted to meet all my caffeine needs, broke down twice in five months. The complexity was its downfall—too many parts, too much that could go wrong.

I believe in the “do one thing and do it well” philosophy (Learn more). Simple, focused, single-purpose tools are powerful, especially when combined effectively.

Simplicity Brings Clarity

Frustrated with my coffee maker, I switched to a basic, no-tech model. No bells and whistles—just a reliable machine that brews perfect coffee every time.

In a world obsessed with more—more features, more options, more complexity—sometimes, less is truly more.

As a product creator, it’s tempting to add extra features or unique twists, but resisting that urge leads to better, more reliable products.

Specialize and Excel

Focus on creating products that excel in one area. The best tools and products aren’t jack-of-all-trades; they master a single function exceptionally well.

Questions to Help You Focus:

• What problem do you feel most passionate about solving?
• Who do you want to serve deeply and for the long term?
• If you could only work on one thing for the next 10+ years, what would it be?

Specialization and clarity are what make a product stand out and serve its users effectively.

It takes courage to say, “This does X, and nothing more,” but that’s where true excellence lies.

Ask Yourself:

• What’s one thing you could master that no one else is doing as well as you could?
• Are you spreading yourself too thin by trying to do too much?

Embrace focus and specialization. Your work will be more impactful, and your users will appreciate the clarity and reliability.

Make It Matter

Choosing a simple coffee maker wasn’t just about ease—it was a strategic decision to focus on what matters most.

Greatness comes from focusing on:

1. A specific target group.
2. A specific problem.
3. A specific solution.

Actionable Steps to Apply Focus:

• Identify Your Target Group
  Clearly define who your product is for. Understand their needs and preferences deeply.

  Questions to Consider:

  • Who do you enjoy working with the most?
  • Who can benefit the most from your expertise?
  • What groups of people naturally gravitate toward you for advice or help?

• Pinpoint the Main Problem
  Focus on solving one core issue that your target group faces.

  Questions to Explore:

  • What problems frustrate your audience the most?
  • Which of these problems do you feel most equipped to solve?
  • Are there problems that align with your skills and passion?

• Offer a Specific Solution
  Develop a solution that addresses the problem directly and effectively without unnecessary features.

  Reflection Questions:

  • What’s the simplest, most effective way to solve this problem?
  • How can your solution stand out through clarity and ease of use?
  • What would make your audience say, “This is exactly what I needed”?

Think of your work like my no-frills coffee maker. It may not have all the extras, but it excels at its primary function. That’s the key to creating products that truly matter.

What’s Your One Focus?

Let’s eliminate the unnecessary and focus on what makes a real difference.

Final Reflection:

• What do you want to be known for?
• What kind of legacy do you want your work to create?
• If you could only be remembered for one contribution, what would it be?

Best,
Tim

P.S. Want to build a lead generation system that’s simple, reliable, and highly effective?

Check out my new book, "The Automatic Lead Machine". Learn how to create a scalable, asset-based lead generation system that operates smoothly, delivering consistent leads without the complexity.