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The Principle
I remember reading about the Rhino Principle in Forbes Magazine a few months ago. The basic theme behind it is doing what the rhino does best: Charge! The rhino as an animal has survived for so many years because of its undying single-mindedness and natural aggressiveness towards achieving a single goal. The rhino is not particularly clever, nor is it unsusceptible to the other animals in the Savannah. However, it takes initiative when it sees something it wants and leaves all other thoughts of pessimism or doubt behind. Apply this same mindset in your own lives, whether it is as an entrepreneur or in any other aspect of your life. Take on that project you’ve been procrastinating on for months or ask that girl you’ve been meaning to talk to in your Chemistry class. Focus on a single goal and put all your energy into reaching that goal.
Stay Focused
As entrepreneurs, we sometimes have a tendency to do all things at once. We want to take on every little side project, approach every single potential contact, and at the same time become the next Microsoft or eBay. In reality, however, it makes much more sense to stick to that one project you have huge hopes for and put all your energy into that project. Don’t spread yourself out too thin, no matter how beneficial you may think your side projects may be. Nothing is more important than focusing on your most important project and giving it all you got.
Mini-Goals
You have high hopes for your project and you know where you eventually want to be with it. Whether you dream of one day going public or selling your company for millions of dollars, you probably have an idea of where you want to get with your project. However, it is absolutely essential that you set aside “mini-goals”; smaller goals that will help you get to your main one. While one can’t plan for everything, it is necessary for you tohave a plan , as well as goals detailing where you want to be with your project at what time. Do you want 10% market share in 5-years? Or do you want 30% market share in 5-years? It is crucial that you set up these mini-goals so you know how to gauge your progress. Further, make sure you apply the Rhino Principle to each one of your mini-goals to help you achieve your end goal.
I was able to find the original article published by Forbes Magazine http://www.forbes.com/work/free_forbes/2006/0130/031.html?partner=rss . I highly recommend that your read the entire article.
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Right on! Awesome post. Yup you’re right, it’s all about the focus. Look at google, they stayed super focused with their search engine for many, many years — they charged the market head on! Now as a result of that market domination, they can afford to venture out with new projects as I am sure everyone is aware of. Good stuff!
Great post. I’ll have to read that article in Forbes magazine because it sounds extremely applicable.
Awesome post. It really is true that entrepreneurs minds are always thinking of the “next” big thing they are going to do instead of focusing on the one thing they are doing now. I just launched a new biz earlier this week and I’ve already got the itch to start planning something else lol. I keep slapping myself in the face and telling myself to stay focused on growing this biz first. Sometimes I wish I only had ONE business idea my entire life and just threw everything into that, similar to the way an athlete or artist throws everything towards their craft.
Thanks everyone! Focus is key, no doubt.
hello sir,
sorry to disturb u ……… i like the name rohail and i want to know the meanings of this name …….. i shall be very grateful to u if u’ll reply me
regards
zeeshan
Hi Zeeshan,
Thanks for leaving a comment. I always thought the name “Rohail” meant “wise traveller.” However, I just looked it up and in Islam it means “lover” and in Persian it means “noble.” I hope that helps.
- Rohail