The One Thing

1. Focus on the ONE Thing that matters most

"Success demands singleness of purpose."

Extraordinary results come from focusing on one thing at a time. The key is to identify the single most important task that will have the greatest impact on achieving your goals. This "ONE Thing" should be your top priority, driving all your efforts and decisions.

To find your ONE Thing:

• Ask yourself what's most important right now
• Eliminate distractions and non-essential tasks
• Concentrate your energy and resources on this priority

By narrowing your focus, you amplify your effectiveness and increase your chances of success in any area of life, whether personal or professional.

2. The Focusing Question: Your key to extraordinary results

"The Focusing Question always aims you at the absolute best of both by forcing you to do what is essential to success—make a decision."

The Focusing Question is a powerful tool for identifying your ONE Thing and achieving extraordinary results. It consists of two parts:

1. "What's the ONE Thing I can do..."
2. "...such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?"

This question helps you:

• Clarify your priorities
• Identify the most impactful actions
• Make better decisions
• Achieve greater productivity

By consistently applying the Focusing Question to different areas of your life, you can unlock your potential and drive meaningful progress towards your goals.

3. Time blocking: Protect your most important work

"If you want to get the most out of your day, do your most important work—your ONE Thing—early, before your willpower is drawn down."

Time blocking is a crucial strategy for ensuring you dedicate sufficient time to your ONE Thing. It involves:

1. Scheduling specific blocks of uninterrupted time for your most important work
2. Treating these blocks as non-negotiable appointments with yourself
3. Protecting this time from distractions and interruptions

To implement effective time blocking:

• Identify your most productive hours
• Schedule your ONE Thing during this peak time
• Communicate your availability to others
• Create a distraction-free environment

By consistently time blocking your ONE Thing, you dramatically increase your chances of achieving extraordinary results in your personal and professional life.

4. Embrace the Domino Effect for success

"Success builds on success, and as this happens, over and over, you move toward the highest success possible."

The Domino Effect illustrates how small actions can lead to significant outcomes. Just as one falling domino can topple many others, focusing on your ONE Thing can create a cascade of positive results. This principle emphasizes the power of sequential progress and momentum.

To leverage the Domino Effect:

• Identify the first, most important action (your ONE Thing)
• Concentrate on executing this action excellently
• Allow the results to naturally lead to the next step
• Repeat the process, building on each success

By embracing this approach, you create a chain reaction of achievements, each one setting the stage for greater accomplishments in the future.

5. Bust the myths: Multitasking, balance, and willpower

"Multitasking is merely the opportunity to screw up more than one thing at a time."

Debunking productivity myths is essential for achieving extraordinary results. Three common misconceptions to overcome are:

1. Multitasking enhances productivity

   • Reality: It reduces efficiency and quality of work
   • Solution: Focus on one task at a time

2. Work-life balance is achievable

   • Reality: Perfect balance is unrealistic and often counterproductive
   • Solution: Strive for work-life counterbalance, prioritizing different areas at different times

3. Willpower is always available

   • Reality: Willpower is a finite resource that depletes throughout the day
   • Solution: Tackle your ONE Thing early when willpower is strongest

By recognizing and addressing these myths, you can align your efforts more effectively with the principles of high achievement and extraordinary results.

6. Live with purpose, priority, and productivity

"Purpose without priority is powerless."

Aligning your life with purpose, priority, and productivity creates a powerful framework for success:

1. Purpose: Defines your overall direction and motivation
2. Priority: Identifies the most important steps towards your purpose
3. Productivity: Focuses on efficiently executing your priorities

To implement this framework:

• Clarify your life's purpose and long-term goals
• Use the Focusing Question to determine your priorities
• Apply time blocking and other productivity techniques to execute effectively

By integrating these three elements, you create a clear path to extraordinary results and a fulfilling life.

7. Overcome the Four Thieves of productivity

"No one succeeds alone and no one fails alone. Pay attention to the people around you."

The Four Thieves that can derail your productivity and success are:

1. Inability to say "no"

   • Solution: Prioritize your ONE Thing and decline less important requests

2. Fear of chaos

   • Solution: Accept that focusing on your ONE Thing may lead to temporary disorder in other areas

3. Poor health habits

   • Solution: Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and exercise to maintain high energy and focus

4. Environment doesn't support your goals

   • Solution: Surround yourself with supportive people and create a conducive physical space

By identifying and addressing these thieves, you can protect your time, energy, and focus, allowing you to concentrate on what matters most.

8. Success is a journey of sequential habit-building

"Success is sequential, not simultaneous. No one actually has the discipline to acquire more than one powerful new habit at a time."

Building habits sequentially is the key to sustainable success. Rather than trying to change everything at once, focus on developing one habit at a time:

1. Identify the most impactful habit related to your ONE Thing
2. Commit to practicing this habit consistently for about 66 days
3. Once the habit is established, move on to the next most important habit

This approach allows you to:

• Avoid overwhelm and burnout
• Create lasting behavioral changes
• Build a foundation of positive habits that support your goals

By focusing on one habit at a time, you create a sustainable path to extraordinary results.

9. Avoid regrets by living true to yourself

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do."

Living without regrets requires courage and commitment to your authentic self. To achieve this:

1. Identify your true passions and values
2. Align your ONE Thing with these core aspects of yourself
3. Take bold action towards your goals, even in the face of fear or uncertainty

Remember:

• The most common regret is not living a life true to oneself
• Small, consistent steps towards your dreams can lead to extraordinary results
• Success is an inside job – it starts with aligning your actions with your authentic self

By focusing on what truly matters to you and taking action, you can build a life of purpose, achievement, and minimal regrets.

Last updated: January 22, 2025