How to win BIG in 2025 (my top business lessons of the year)

Summary

• I've learned that missed opportunities aren't problems. They can prevent current issues from worsening. Sometimes, not doing something protects resources and keeps focus on what matters. It's crucial to consider whether conditions are right before pursuing new opportunities.

• Regret over missed opportunities is worse than failing. It's essential to make decisions without regret and focus on future prospects.

• Success in business is not about finding a silver bullet but mastering a thousand details. Attention to detail is key, and excellence should be demonstrated, not just taught.

• People typically won't agree with a new idea until it proves successful. It's important to ask for execution on new ideas rather than agreement. Not everyone will see potential, but they can still put in their best effort.

• When hiring or partnering, focus on the 'jockey' or leader, not the 'horse' or opportunity. Great leadership can turn an average idea into success, while poor leadership can cause even the best ideas to fail.

• Poorly designed incentives can harm your business. Create clear paths for growth within roles to prevent unnecessary upward movement. It's important to have both management and technical tracks in place for employees.

• Solve personal constraints before business constraints. Personal issues can distract from solving critical business problems. Handle what keeps you up at night first to fully engage with the business's needs.

• Momentum is crucial for success. Creating a self-reinforcing system, or flywheel, can help each part of your business enhance the others. This approach leads to inevitable success.

• Executives are rarely let go for performance but for misalignment with the company's vision or founder. Misaligned leadership can prevent progress and create chaos internally.

• Businesses often grow faster than people can, leading to overpromotion based on current role competence, not future potential. It's important to bring in additional support when the business has outgrown a leader's capacity.

• The personal is business. Personal chaos will seep into professional life, taking attention away from business growth. Resolve personal issues to maintain a clear focus at work. Ensure your personal life supports rather than detracts from your professional capabilities.

Video

How To Take Action

I would suggest implementing a mindset shift regarding missed opportunities. Start seeing them not as losses but as a sign to keep your focus and resources on what’s currently working well. So, before jumping at every chance, ask yourself: "Is this the right condition to pursue it?"

A good way of making decisions without regret is to focus on future prospects rather than dwelling on missed chances. Let go of what could have been and put your energy into what can be.

Attention to detail is key. Find the little things in your business that could improve and fix several small issues before trying to overhaul your strategy.

Instead of seeking agreement from your team for every new initiative, seek their commitment to give it a fair shot. Not everyone will immediately see potential, but they can still perform their tasks with excellence.

Focus on building or maintaining strong leadership within your team. Hire or partner with leaders who can drive success even with average ideas, rather than relying solely on promising opportunities.

Design clear incentive pathways that focus on role growth, both managerial and technical, rather than promotions that may not align with your team members’ strengths. This keeps your team motivated and reduces unnecessary role shifts.

Make sure your personal life is stable, as chaos there will spill into your business life. Resolve personal issues first so your mind can focus clearly on business needs.

Lastly, review your team’s alignment with the company vision regularly. Misalignment, even among high performers, can lead to chaos and hinder progress. Keep everyone moving towards the same destination.

Quotes by Leila Hormozi

"Missed opportunities are not problems"

– Leila Hormozi

"Execution only gets harder because what is execution? It's not just you doing stuff"

– Leila Hormozi

"Regret of a missed opportunity is worse than failing"

– Leila Hormozi

"Most companies die by indigestion, not starvation"

– Leila Hormozi

"Momentum makes everything better"

– Leila Hormozi