The Lesson That Started at 16

When I was 16, I landed my first job as a Sandwich Artist at Subway.

I was excited to finally be earning a paycheck and learning responsibility — but I had no idea that job would teach me one of the most valuable lessons about leadership and life.

From day one, I discovered that I was extremely task-focused.

I could complete tasks at an unbelievable pace — chopping vegetables, restocking items, wrapping sandwiches — I was a machine. It didn’t take long before I was promoted from making sandwiches to managing inventory and overseeing store operations.

But there was one problem… I wasn’t great at customer service.

Small talk wasn’t my thing. Smiling and chatting with customers felt like a distraction from the real goal — getting the job done right and fast.

Fast forward to today — I see that same pattern play out in leadership and entrepreneurship all the time.

At that time, I couldn’t see it. But looking back, I realize that mindset taught me something powerful:

Being task-focused can help you move fast, but being big-picture focused helps you go far.

The Business Parallel

Most small business owners are incredibly hardworking. They’re driven, they have vision, and they’re passionate about what they do.

But often, emotions get in the way of progress.

An employee shows up late — it’s brushed off because they feel bad addressing it.

A boundary needs to be set — but the conversation is avoided because it’s uncomfortable.

A tough financial call needs to be made — but emotions keep them second-guessing.

Here’s the truth:

👉 Emotions blur focus.

👉 Focus builds longevity.

Being big-picture focused doesn’t mean you lack compassion — it means you have clarity.

It means you understand that every small decision either strengthens or weakens your long-term vision.

The Skill of Eliminating Risk

The ability to eliminate risk isn’t natural — it’s a learned skill.

It develops in those who can zoom out, detach from emotion, and evaluate from a higher perspective.

That’s what separates those who build sustainable success from those who constantly feel like they’re putting out fires.

When you keep the main thing the main thing, you stop reacting emotionally and start leading strategically.

You make decisions not based on how you feel in the moment, but where you’re headed in the future.

A Lesson from Moses

Even one of the greatest leaders in the Bible, Moses, struggled with this.

Moses loved the people he led — deeply. But at times, that emotional attachment clouded his obedience to God’s instructions.

In Numbers 20, God told Moses to speak to the rock so that water would flow for the Israelites. But out of frustration and emotion, Moses struck the rock instead.

The water still came — but that single moment of emotional reaction cost him entry into the Promised Land.

It wasn’t that Moses didn’t care. He cared too much — to the point that the weight of the people’s complaints and emotions distracted him from what God actually said.

That’s what happens when we lead more from emotion than obedience.

We may still see some results, but we lose sight of the main thing — the greater vision God entrusted us to steward.

Beyond Business — The Personal Side

This principle doesn’t just apply to business.

It applies to faith, family, and personal growth too.

You can’t grow spiritually if your focus is constantly pulled by distractions.

You can’t lead your household well if you’re led by temporary emotions.

And you can’t reach your goals if you’re always reacting instead of directing.

Staying big-picture focused means trusting that your discipline today is planting the seeds for your harvest tomorrow.

Final Thought

When I was 16, I thought the goal was to make sandwiches fast.

Now I know the real goal — in leadership, business, and life — is to stay focused on what truly matters.

Efficiency might help you climb quickly.

But vision — grounded in obedience — will keep you there.

So today, whatever you’re building —

keep the main thing the main thing.