FRANK SINATRA DOES NOT MOVE PIANOS—AND NEITHER SHOULD YOU

FRANK SINATRA DOES NOT MOVE PIANOS—AND NEITHER SHOULD YOU

In business, leadership, and high-performance careers, success often hinges on one thing: focus! The ability to hone in on what you do best—your unique ability—and delegate the rest is a defining characteristic of top professionals.

This concept is captured in a story frequently told by Dan Sullivan, co-founder of Strategic Coach and one of the world’s leading experts on entrepreneurial growth. Sullivan has spent decades coaching business owners, executives, and other professionals, helping them maximize their potential by focusing on their highest-value skills.

One of his most memorable lessons comes from his time in the Army, where he was responsible for booking entertainment for the troops. One of the performers he worked with was none other than Frank Sinatra.

Watching Sinatra perform, Sullivan noticed something profound—

Sinatra did two things: he sang, and he prepared to sing.

Everything else? That was someone else’s job.

The stagehands moved the equipment, the band tuned the instruments, and the crew handled logistics.

Sinatra didn’t move pianos. And neither should you.

THE COST OF MOVING PIANOS

How often do business owners, doctors, lawyers, and other professionals get bogged down in tasks that don’t align with their expertise?

A surgeon shouldn’t be handling appointment scheduling. A law firm partner shouldn’t be formatting PowerPoint slides. A CEO shouldn’t be troubleshooting IT issues. Yet, many highly skilled professionals spend countless hours on tasks that someone else could (and should) handle.

The more time you spend moving pianos, the less time you have to sing.

WHY DELEGATION ISN’T WEAKNESS—IT’S STRENGTH

Many professionals hesitate to delegate because they believe handling everything themselves is a sign of dedication. But in reality, trying to do it all is a recipe for burnout and mediocrity.

Signs You’re Moving Pianos Instead of Singing:

• You’re spending more time on administrative work than your actual expertise.
• You feel drained by tasks that don’t align with your skills.
• You constantly feel overwhelmed but can’t pinpoint why.
• You’re stuck in the weeds of daily operations instead of focusing on growth.

The most effective business owners and professionals don’t grind through every task—they build systems, leverage support, and focus on what moves the needle.

HOW TO STOP MOVING PIANOS AND START SINGING

If you’re ready to take control of your time and focus on what truly matters, here’s how to implement this mindset:

1. Identify Your Unique Ability

Take a moment to reflect:

• What activities energize you?
• Where do you create the most value?
• What do clients, colleagues, or peers consistently praise you for?

Your Unique Ability is the work that comes naturally to you, excites you, and delivers the greatest results.

2. List the Tasks You Need to Delegate

Create two columns:

• Column 1: High-value tasks only you should do.
• Column 2: Everything else.

Be brutally honest. If a task in Column 2 doesn’t align with your expertise, passion, or impact, it’s a piano to move.

3. Build a Support System

This might mean hiring an assistant, delegating to a team, outsourcing, or automating repetitive tasks. The goal isn’t to avoid work—it’s to work smarter by focusing on what only you can do.

4. Create Space for Growth

Once you stop moving pianos, you’ll have more time to:

• Deepen client relationships and provide better service.
• Strategically grow your business or practice.
• Innovate and explore new opportunities.
• Maintain work-life balance and avoid burnout.

THE LESSON FROM SINATRA

Imagine if Frank Sinatra had spent his time setting up the stage instead of perfecting his performance. His impact would have been diminished, his legacy less powerful.

In the same way, if you want to excel—whether as an entrepreneur, lawyer, doctor, or executive—you must focus on the work that only you can do.

So ask yourself today:

• What’s my version of singing?
• What pianos do I need to stop moving?

Make the decision to focus on your strengths, delegate the rest, and watch how much further you can go.

BUILDING THE NEST—WITH FOCUS AND PRECISION

We believe that true success—professional and personal—comes from focusing on what matters most. Whether it’s growing a business, mastering a profession, or creating a fulfilling life, the key is clarity, discipline, and knowing where your greatest value lies.

SO STOP MOVING PIANOS. START SINGING. AND BUILD SOMETHING TRULY EXTRAORDINARY

The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Austin Storck and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Dan Sullivan.