--- title: "Don’t reinvent the wheel" id: "752" type: "post" slug: "dont-reinvent-the-wheel" published_at: "2024-08-29T11:52:31+00:00" modified_at: "2025-12-19T09:03:38+00:00" url: "https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/dont-reinvent-the-wheel/" markdown_url: "https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/dont-reinvent-the-wheel.md" excerpt: "Have you heard that phrase before? It's been getting thrown around quite a lot recently, especially with new businesses springing up left and right." taxonomy_category: - "General" --- # Don’t reinvent the wheel *by Jake Smolarek* In this Article: 1[It's virtually impossible, anyway](#it-s-virtually-impossible-anyway) 2[Keep things simple](#keep-things-simple) Last updated: 19 December 2025 ## It’s virtually impossible, anyway Have you heard that phrase before? It’s been getting thrown around quite a lot recently, especially with new businesses springing up left and right. If you haven’t heard it before, it essentially warns you not to get overwhelmed or carried away. Sometimes, simple is best. Another similar phrase is, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” Basically, if it’s already perfect, stop trying to make it better. When starting a new business, beginning a new role, or learning a new skill, it’s easy to get carried away. You want to be an expert; you want to make a good impression and make changes. The problem is, you may find yourself trying to change something which works just fine as it is. I’ve seen it time and time again; entrepreneurs think they need some groundbreaking idea that instantly fixes every problem known to man. The problem with that? ![A wooden wheel in grass](https://jakesmolarek.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/article-6-hero.webp) It’s a waste of time. You don’t *need* to reinvent the wheel. So, why waste your time on it? When you’re starting out as an entrepreneur, you’re going to have a brilliant idea. Of course, you’re going to want to introduce that idea to the wider world. Immediately, you’re probably going to face several obstacles. Some people might not agree that your idea is brilliant, and you’ll get your fair share of criticism. The key is overcoming this, adapting, changing, taking advice, and doing anything to get your idea off the ground. Doing this successfully – especially when you’re just starting out – can be incredibly challenging. Why not use an idea that’s already working? Creating a business that has a turnover of over a million is, in all fact, simple. Not easy – it still poses a challenge – but it’s simple. More importantly, it’s *achievable*. This idea is neatly summarised in an Anthony J. D’Angelo quote: > “Don’t reinvent the wheel, just realign it.” What the hell does that actually mean? book your free initial consultation session! [Get in touch](#contact) ## Keep things simple Don’t unnecessarily overcomplicate it. Do you want a turnover of a million? Great. Start working towards it. You should be looking to increase revenue slowly, month after month, year after year. Look to make small improvements consistently rather than trying to jump ahead of the game. It’s all about **working hard and failing forwards**. If you try to make massive changes and reinvent the wheel, the chances are, it won’t last. Following the necessary steps is essential. It’s like trying to call someone on the phone. To contact me, you need to dial 07738514600. If you do this, you’re guaranteed to reach me. If you rush and skip even just one number, you’ll never reach your goal. When applying this idea to business, you need to remember that consistency is vital. A simple plan and hard work will generate more results than if you try something radical and new. Simple gets results. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself and end up missing vital steps. The key to success is following the steps that we discuss and plan together. I’ve got a foolproof recipe for success that has been perfected and honed over the years. You just need to add the ingredients and do the work. As I said, it’s simple, not easy. Step-by-step, we can get you to your goals. But that doesn’t happen overnight, and trying to skip steps will leave you looking at dreams wondering why you tried to cut corners. Hard work. The right approach. Self-discipline. Where does that get you? A 6-figure income. Work that you can really be proud of — financial freedom. But it’s important to remember that to achieve this kind of success; you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Skipping steps, cutting corners, aiming too far ahead, and getting ahead of yourself will ultimately leave you behind. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to achieve success; you just need the best wheel on the market. Share with others. Share on FacebookShare on WhatsappShare on LinkedinCopy LinkLink is Copied!Share on Email - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/outside-the-comfort-zone/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/outside-the-comfort-zone/) [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/outside-the-comfort-zone/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/outside-the-comfort-zone/) previous ### [Outside the Comfort Zone](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/outside-the-comfort-zone/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/expand-your-vision-think-big/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/expand-your-vision-think-big/) next ### [Expand Your Vision and Unlock Your True Potential](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/expand-your-vision-think-big/) [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/expand-your-vision-think-big/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/expand-your-vision-think-big/) [Back to articles](/articles/) About the Author ![Jake Smolarek](https://jakesmolarek.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/tile-about-me.webp)Jake Smolarek [Life Coach](https://jakesmolarek.com/) , [Business Coach](https://jakesmolarek.com/business-coaching/) , Entrepreneur Jake Smolarek has over 18 years of experience and more than 27,000 hours of coaching delivered, working with CEOs, entrepreneurs, and high-performing professionals. His signature frameworks, including **Vision GPS** and **Learn → Practice → Master → Become a F*cking Legend**, to name a few, have helped clients achieve extraordinary results. His work has been featured in *The Times, Yahoo Finance,* and *Business Insider*. [Read more about Jake Smolarek](https://jakesmolarek.com/about/jake-smolarek/) . Recent articles - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/psychology-of-negotiation/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/psychology-of-negotiation/) ### [The Reality of Negotiation: The Psychology Behind Terms, Pressure, and Regret](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/psychology-of-negotiation/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/influence-and-persuasion-psychology/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/influence-and-persuasion-psychology/) ### [Influence and Persuasion: How Human Decisions Are Made, Resisted, and Changed](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/influence-and-persuasion-psychology/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/founder-bottleneck-scale/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/founder-bottleneck-scale/) ### [The Founder Bottleneck: How to Build a Company That Runs Without You](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/founder-bottleneck-scale/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/time-management-architecture/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/time-management-architecture/) ### [Time Management Architecture: The Operating System Behind High Performance](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/time-management-architecture/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/leadership-operating-system/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/leadership-operating-system/) ### [The Fundamentals of Leadership: The System That Builds Elite Operators](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/leadership-operating-system/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/why-morning-planning-fails/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/why-morning-planning-fails/) ### [Planning Your Day in the Morning Is Already Too Late: The Tetris Effect](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/why-morning-planning-fails/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/procrastination-high-performers/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/procrastination-high-performers/) ### [Procrastination: Why High Performers Hesitate And How to Rebuild Speed](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/procrastination-high-performers/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/imposter-syndrome/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/imposter-syndrome/) ### [Imposter Syndrome: The High Achiever’s Glitch in the Operating System](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/imposter-syndrome/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/the-addiction-to-achievement/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/the-addiction-to-achievement/) ### [The Addiction to Achievement: The Structural Flaw in Perpetual Growth](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/the-addiction-to-achievement/) - [https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/raising-lions-in-a-zoo/](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/raising-lions-in-a-zoo/) ### [Raising Lions in a Zoo: How Abundance Kills Hunger, A Guide to Wealthy Families’ Conflicts, Power And Succession](https://jakesmolarek.com/articles/raising-lions-in-a-zoo/) I have spoken at [https://www.ox.ac.uk/](https://www.ox.ac.uk/) [https://www.imperial.ac.uk/](https://www.imperial.ac.uk/) [https://www.gre.ac.uk/](https://www.gre.ac.uk/) [http://www.bbk.ac.uk/](http://www.bbk.ac.uk/) [https://www.uwl.ac.uk/](https://www.uwl.ac.uk/) [https://www.lse.ac.uk/](https://www.lse.ac.uk/) [https://www.ox.ac.uk/](https://www.ox.ac.uk/) [https://www.imperial.ac.uk/](https://www.imperial.ac.uk/) [https://www.gre.ac.uk/](https://www.gre.ac.uk/) [http://www.bbk.ac.uk/](http://www.bbk.ac.uk/) [https://www.uwl.ac.uk/](https://www.uwl.ac.uk/) [https://www.lse.ac.uk/](https://www.lse.ac.uk/) Contact Me & Book Your Complimentary Consultation Session address Davies Street, Mayfair, London W1K phone number Mobile: [+44 7738 514 600](tel:+447738514600) email [[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#264f484049664c474d43554b494a4754434d0845494b)