Business By Hormozi #264: Keep a Secret – The Power of Forgetting for Success

The Art of Keeping a Secret

“The best way to keep a secret is to forget about it.” This profound quote taps into a universal truth about business and personal growth: sometimes, the best way to protect something is by letting it go. The more you obsess over something, the more it becomes vulnerable. But when you forget about it, you stop dwelling on it, and it often stays safe.

This is the story of Sam and Leo—two entrepreneurs who learned the importance of letting go and trusting the process in both their business ventures and personal lives.

Sam’s Struggle: Holding Onto Secrets

Sam, a budding tech entrepreneur, was always paranoid about someone stealing his ideas. He’d keep his most innovative business plans to himself, telling only a select few friends. Sam’s fear of someone taking his intellectual property and ideas consumed him. Every time he worked on a new project, he would overanalyze every detail, constantly worried about protecting his secret.

However, Sam's obsession with keeping his ideas “safe” backfired. The more he clung to his ideas, the more he found himself blocked creatively. He couldn’t move forward because he was too focused on the potential of losing something before it even had the chance to grow. His secret stayed in his mind, and instead of pushing forward with innovation, Sam was stuck in a state of constant fear.

Leo’s Approach: Letting Go to Move Forward

In contrast, Leo had a very different approach. He also had big ideas, but instead of obsessing over keeping them secret, Leo focused on execution. He didn’t waste his energy worrying about what others might do with his ideas. Instead, he immersed himself in his work, constantly evolving his business strategy and adapting to changes in the market.

Leo’s ability to let go of the need to protect his ideas allowed him to move forward quickly. By forgetting about keeping everything secret, Leo found the freedom to innovate without fear. He shared his ideas openly with his team and trusted them to help build the business. Instead of being weighed down by secrecy, Leo’s openness led to better collaboration, faster growth, and a more successful business.

Why Keeping a Secret Isn’t Always the Best Strategy

When you focus too much on protecting your secrets, you limit your ability to move forward. Holding onto a secret doesn’t always mean it’s safe—it just means you’re preventing progress. Sam’s constant anxiety about his business plans made him hesitant to act. He was stuck in a state of indecision, unable to take the next step for fear of something being taken from him.

In contrast, Leo’s strategy allowed him to focus on what really mattered: building a strong business. His trust in his team and his willingness to let go of the need for secrecy created a culture of transparency and innovation. The secret wasn’t the idea itself—it was the ability to act on it and make it a reality.

Success doesn’t always come from holding secrets close; sometimes, it comes from letting go and focusing on execution. By focusing on what’s important and trusting others with your vision, you unlock the potential for growth and collaboration.

The Freedom of Forgetting Secrets

When you stop obsessing over keeping secrets and let go of the need to control everything, you free yourself to take action. Forgetting about the burden of secrecy can lead to greater creativity, faster problem-solving, and more effective decision-making. The best way to keep a secret isn’t by hoarding it—it’s by trusting the process and forgetting the need to keep it locked away.

In business, letting go can often be the key to greater success. When you trust your team, your partners, and even yourself, you create an environment where innovation thrives. You stop focusing on the fear of someone taking your ideas, and you start focusing on making those ideas a reality.

Conclusion

“The best way to keep a secret is to forget about it.” By letting go of the need to protect your ideas and secrets, you allow yourself to move forward. The less you focus on what others might do with your secrets, the more room you make for creativity and progress. Forgetting about the need to protect your business plans can lead to greater success, more collaboration, and faster growth.

Moral: "The best way to keep a secret is to forget about it."