I was looking at a new karate studio that opened up in my town and I couldn’t help but think that there were very few parking spots for people to park…like 8 at most.

What would happen if one of the classes got too big? Where would people park? Are there more spots in the back?

Why haven’t they thought about this?

I realized that the people who opened the studio were probably more concerned about the most important parts of their business:

• Making a good space inside the studio
• Hiring good instructors
• Getting the right insurance

…and all sorts of other aspects of the business that had nothing to do with where cars will park.

That’s a secondary problem. They found a great space where they could open a karate studio; if they suddenly had a parking problem, they’d figure it out.

I don’t run a physical space, but I know I can learn a lot from this.

Things That Feel Productive

Sometimes I worry that I focus more on the number of parking spots, so to say, instead of the actual core things that matter.

What does this look like in a knowledge worker/online business?

• Worry about finding the perfect tool instead of doing the work.
• Thinking about the social media algorithm instead of creating useful content.
• Telling yourself this online course will change everything instead of implementing what you learned in the last online course.

Because honestly, that stuff feels easier. It feels productive, without feeling high stakes.

But trust me: as someone who has wasted countless hours switching tools because, “this will change everything,” your clients, customers, and audience don’t care about the tools as much as the quality of what you deliver.

The karate studio could have easily delayed opening. “We don’t have enough parking spots.” But they knew better.

They knew the parking problem only mattered if they actually had students showing up.

Just like we wouldn’t need the perfect tool if we didn’t have the work to do in the first place.

What’s Your Parking Lot Problem?

As you’re working on your business, and you’re thinking about where you should spend your time, focus more on the inside of the studio and less on the parking lot.

The best way to do that?

Ask yourself: what’s the one thing you could work on today that would actually move your business forward? Not the thing that feels productive, but the thing that matters.