Singleness of purpose is the key to success. It is only when you
organize your life and activities around an overarching goal
that you tap into your potential and release your powers for
achievement. By selecting one goal that is more important
than anything else, you unify your powers and bring all your
energies to bear on the one objective, the attainment of which
can make more of a difference in your life than anything else.
The Principle of Unity of Command Revisited
Unity of command is essential for the efficient functioning of a
military unit, a business, and even a family. Everyone must
know exactly who is in charge, who makes the decisions, and
who is ultimately responsible.
In your personal life, you must live in harmony with your
core values and your unifying principles, the qualities and
virtues that you consider the most important in yourself and
others. The more aligned you are with the good, the noble,
and the true, the better a leader and the better a person you
will be.
Be sure that what you are doing on the outside is in complete
alignment with your true values and goals on the inside.
Discipline yourself to make whatever decisions or sacrifices are
necessary to live in harmony with your innermost convictions.
Set high standards for yourself, and refuse to compromise
them. Living in a way that is consistent with the very best you
know eventually makes you unstoppable.
Ability of military commanders and business leaders to
strip things down to their essentials and then to focus on
the one or two actions that are indispensable for victory is the
mark of a high order of intelligence.