--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A good strategy focuses efforts on a…" description: "\"A good strategy focuses efforts on a target, and that focus can only be achieved by not diffusing energy in other directions - that is the meaning of M..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0a/richard-p-rumelt-27695_efficiency_a-good-strategy-focuses-efforts-on-a-tar_2325354.jpg" --- # A good strategy focuses efforts on a target, and that… ![“A good strategy focuses efforts on a target, and that focus can only be achieved by not diffusing energy in other directions - that is the meaning of Michael Porter's dictum of "choosing what not to do." At the same time, a good strategy chooses the right target to focus on, not wasting the focus…” quote by Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0a/richard-p-rumelt-27695_efficiency_a-good-strategy-focuses-efforts-on-a-tar_2325354.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0a/richard-p-rumelt-27695_efficiency_a-good-strategy-focuses-efforts-on-a-tar_2325354.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0a/richard-p-rumelt-27695_efficiency_a-good-strategy-focuses-efforts-on-a-tar_2325354.jpg) > “A good strategy focuses efforts on a target, and that focus can only be achieved by not diffusing energy in other directions - that is the meaning of Michael Porter's dictum of "choosing what not to do." At the same time, a good strategy chooses the right target to focus on, not wasting the focus of energy on a target that cannot be affected or that is unimportant - that is the meaning of Drucker's distinction between efficiency and effectiveness.” [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective strategy concentrates resources on a clear target, avoiding wasted effort on irrelevant goals. **In simple terms:** Focus resources, avoid distractions. Key Takeaway Prioritize what matters, discard the rest. Themes strategy focus efficiency Mood analytical pragmatic Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - business planning - project management - personal productivity Key Concepts resource allocation decision making Questions to Reflect On - What is your most important target now? - How do you decide what to ignore? A Different Perspective Rigid focus can miss emerging opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Efficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/efficiency/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Good Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-strategy-339138/) [Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productivity/) [Right Target](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-target-456481/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Strategy Chooses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy-chooses-5573520/) [Strategy Focuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy-focuses-5573519/) [Target Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/target-focus-5573521/) [Unimportant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unimportant/) ## Related quotes > [“Failure of your first attempt does not mean you can't be a winner of great battles; it rather means, you must trigger only when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/failure-of-your-first-attempt-does-not-mean-you-can-t-be-a-winner-of/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [“There it was: the tactless severity of vital male youth, not a single doubt about his coherence, blind with self-confidence and the virtue of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/there-it-was-the-tactless-severity-of-vital-male-youth-not-a-single/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [“Progress is not just about change, hitting the right target and going in the right direction, these attributes must also be present.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/progress-is-not-just-about-change-hitting-the-right-target-and-going/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [A good strategy is not always successful, but even an "inappropriate" strategy may be an actual strategy. A "bad strategy" is one that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/a-good-strategy-is-not-always-successful-but-even-an-inappropriate/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [Rarely have I seen a situation where doing less than the other guy is a good strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-spithill/rarely-have-i-seen-a-situation-where-doing-less-than-the-other-guy-is/) [James Spithill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-spithill/) > [“…the only way to do that was to make the trouble she was causing seem unimportant. It was a good strategy, and I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-d-reiss/the-only-way-to-do-that-was-to-make-the-trouble-she-was-causing-seem/) [C.D. Reiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-d-reiss/) > [“if you want people to comply with some norm or rule, it is a good strategy to inform them (if true) that most other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-h-thaler/if-you-want-people-to-comply-with-some-norm-or-rule-it-is-a-good/) [Richard H. Thaler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-h-thaler/) > [Having three tough finishing holes in a major, you know, you know that, most likely, it's going to come down to those last three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-johnson/having-three-tough-finishing-holes-in-a-major-you-know-you-know-that/) [Dustin Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-johnson/) > [Investors repeatedly jump ship on a good strategy just because it hasn't worked so well lately, and, almost invariably, abandon it at precisely the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-dreman/investors-repeatedly-jump-ship-on-a-good-strategy-just-because-it/) [David Dreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-dreman/) > [“Good strategy was the only reason I was still alive. I ambushed, set traps, and ran like hell the moment things stopped going my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jester-bobbity/good-strategy-was-the-only-reason-i-was-still-alive-i-ambushed-set/) [Jester Bobbity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jester-bobbity/) > [Life is a house with millions of doors. Here is a good strategy of life: Open the doors, open as much as you can,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/life-is-a-house-with-millions-of-doors-here-is-a-good-strategy-of/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [You can reach the goal you planned for a long time if you have good strategy to achieve it .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-alapan/you-can-reach-the-goal-you-planned-for-a-long-time-if-you-have-good/) [Mitch Alapan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-alapan/) > [Surrender is rarely good strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-manski/surrender-is-rarely-good-strategy/) [Ben Manski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-manski/) > [People believe that companies have always had strategies, dating back at least to likes of Henry Ford or Andrew Carnegie, maybe to the contractors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kiechel/people-believe-that-companies-have-always-had-strategies-dating-back/) [Walter Kiechel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kiechel/) > [I believe that people make their own luck by great preparation and good strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-canfield/i-believe-that-people-make-their-own-luck-by-great-preparation-and/) [Jack Canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-canfield/) ## More by Richard P. Rumelt > [“The product lineup was too complicated and the company was bleeding cash. A friend of the family asked me which Apple computer she should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/the-product-lineup-was-too-complicated-and-the-company-was-bleeding/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [“Whatever you think about this definition of leadership, a problem arises when it is confused with strategy. Leadership and strategy may be joined in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/whatever-you-think-about-this-definition-of-leadership-a-problem/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [You overcome the logical resistance to change by proving that a new approach actually works, usually on a small scale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/you-overcome-the-logical-resistance-to-change-by-proving-that-a-new/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [The US needs military/defense, economic, and social strategies. A medium-sized business, by contrast, is normally best off focusing its efforts on a single crucial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/the-us-needs-military-defense-economic-and-social-strategies-a-medium/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [“The most basic idea of strategy is the application of strength against weakness. Or, if you prefer, strength applied to the most promising opportunity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/the-most-basic-idea-of-strategy-is-the-application-of-strength/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [“Many people call the guiding policy “the strategy” and stop there. This is a mistake. Strategy is about action, about doing something. The kernel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/many-people-call-the-guiding-policy-the-strategy-and-stop-there-this/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [“Bad strategy may actively avoid analyzing obstacles because a leader believes that negative thoughts get in the way. Leaders may create bad strategy by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/bad-strategy-may-actively-avoid-analyzing-obstacles-because-a-leader/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [“It is often said that a strategy is a choice or a decision. The words “choice” and “decision” evoke an image of someone considering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/it-is-often-said-that-a-strategy-is-a-choice-or-a-decision-the-words/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [A real strategy is a coherent mix of policy and action designed to overcome a significant challenge. So a sensible employee might indeed say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/a-real-strategy-is-a-coherent-mix-of-policy-and-action-designed-to/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [Change is difficult and it takes time. It is hard for people to change their own behavior, much less that of others. Change programs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/change-is-difficult-and-it-takes-time-it-is-hard-for-people-to-change/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [“Nevertheless, the doctrine that one can impose one’s visions and desires on the world by the force of thought alone retains a powerful appeal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/nevertheless-the-doctrine-that-one-can-impose-one-s-visions-and/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [“Not miscalculation, bad strategy is the active avoidance of the hard work of crafting a good strategy. One common reason for choosing avoidance is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/not-miscalculation-bad-strategy-is-the-active-avoidance-of-the-hard-2/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [“The best answer to this puzzle is that the real surprise was that such a pure and focused strategy was actually implemented. Most complex…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/the-best-answer-to-this-puzzle-is-that-the-real-surprise-was-that/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [One of the problems many leaders report is a gap between strategy and execution. Usually this "gap" arises because the so-called "strategy" is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/one-of-the-problems-many-leaders-report-is-a-gap-between-strategy-and/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) > [A real strategy is not bottom up because it deals with issues that require unexpected or unusual types action, especially of coordination among units.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-rumelt/a-real-strategy-is-not-bottom-up-because-it-deals-with-issues-that/) [Richard P. Rumelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) [Explore all 20 Richard P. Rumelt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-rumelt/) ## More Efficiency quotes > [Performance matters because games are built on great performance, but form factor and energy efficiency matter incredibly because they want to build something that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jensen-huang/performance-matters-because-games-are-built-on-great-performance-but/) [Jensen Huang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jensen-huang/) > [There are many examples of companies and countries that have improved their competitiveness and efficiency by adopting open source strategies. The creation of skills…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shuttleworth/there-are-many-examples-of-companies-and-countries-that-have-improved/) [Mark Shuttleworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shuttleworth/) > [Efficiency is the golden word for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendie-renard/efficiency-is-the-golden-word-for-me/) [Wendie Renard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendie-renard/) > [Japan is already a leader in energy efficiency, and it has a wealth of innovative technologies. We must put this expertise to use creating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoshihiko-noda/japan-is-already-a-leader-in-energy-efficiency-and-it-has-a-wealth-of/) [Yoshihiko Noda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoshihiko-noda/) > [A better distribution of incomes would increase that efficiency by diverting a great fund of wealth from the useless to the useful members of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/a-better-distribution-of-incomes-would-increase-that-efficiency-by/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Conservatives say the government can't end poverty by force, but they believe it can use force to make people moral. Liberals say government can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-browne/conservatives-say-the-government-can-t-end-poverty-by-force-but-they/) [Harry Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-browne/) > [We must commit ourselves to an 'all of the above' energy approach, with a major focus on increasing domestic production and expanding alternatives fuels,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-roskam/we-must-commit-ourselves-to-an-all-of-the-above-energy-approach-with/) [Peter Roskam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-roskam/) > [Washington is a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/washington-is-a-city-of-southern-efficiency-and-northern-charm/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Most people may not think about it, but the aftermath of war is very costly. Costly not just in lives, but the treatment. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-inouye/most-people-may-not-think-about-it-but-the-aftermath-of-war-is-very/) [Daniel Inouye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-inouye/) > [No one accuses the gunner of maudlin affection for anything except his beasts and his weapons. He serves as least three jealous gods-his horse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/no-one-accuses-the-gunner-of-maudlin-affection-for-anything-except/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [The pulpit only "teaches" to be honest; the market-place "trains" to overreaching and fraud; and teaching has not a tithe of the efficiency of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/the-pulpit-only-teaches-to-be-honest-the-market-place-trains-to/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [It is difficult to find another branch of knowledge where a small amount of study produces such great results in increased efficiency in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-difficult-to-find-another-branch-of-knowledge-where-a-small/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The human mind works at low efficiency. Twenty percent is the figure usually given. When, momentarily, there is a flash of greater power, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/the-human-mind-works-at-low-efficiency-twenty-percent-is-the-figure/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [The formation of the News America Publishing Group will lead to greater editorial excitement, new business opportunities and greater efficiencies and coordination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-chernin/the-formation-of-the-news-america-publishing-group-will-lead-to/) [Peter Chernin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-chernin/) > [“In Japan, a number of time-honored everyday activities (such as making tea, arranging flowers, and writing) have traditionally been deeply examined by their proponents.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-e-davey/in-japan-a-number-of-time-honored-everyday-activities-such-as-making/) [H.E. Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-e-davey/) [Browse all 782 Efficiency quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/efficiency/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A good strategy focuses efforts on a target, and that focus can only be achieved by not diffusing energy in other directions - that is the meaning of Michael Porter's dictum of \"choosing what not to do.\" At the same time, a good strategy chooses the right target to focus on, not wasting the focus of energy on a target that cannot be affected or that is unimportant - that is the meaning of Drucker's distinction between efficiency and effectiveness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Richard P. 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