The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results

Gary Keller, Jay Papasan · First published April 1st 2013

What’s your ONE thing?

People are using this simple, powerful concept to focus on what matters most in their personal and work lives. Companies are helping their employees be more productive with study groups, training, and coaching. Sales teams are boosting sales. Churches are conducting classes and recommending for their members.

By focusing their energy on one thing at a time people are living more rewarding lives by building their careers, strengthening their finances, losing weight and getting in shape, deepening their faith, and nurturing stronger marriages and personal relationships.

YOU WANT LESS. You want fewer distractions and less on your plate. The daily barrage of e-mails, texts, tweets, messages, and meetings distract you and stress you out. The simultaneous demands of work and family are taking a toll. And what’s the cost? Second-rate work, missed deadlines, smaller paychecks, fewer promotions–and lots of stress.

AND YOU WANT MORE. You want more productivity from your work. More income for a better lifestyle. You want more satisfaction from life, and more time for yourself, your family, and your friends.

“The One Thing” is a book by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan that focuses on the idea of focusing on one thing at a time in order to achieve extraordinary results. The authors argue that by focusing on the one thing that will make the biggest impact in our lives and work, we can eliminate distractions and achieve success faster.

1. Focus on one thing at a time to achieve extraordinary results.
2. Prioritize the one thing that will make the biggest impact.
3. Eliminate distractions to stay focused.
4. Ask the question “”What’s the one thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?””
5. Establish a clear sense of purpose and priorities.
6. Create a plan to achieve your one thing.
7. Surround yourself with people who support your one thing.
8. Protect your time to focus on your one thing.
9. Measure progress and success in terms of your one thing.
10. Stay committed and disciplined in focusing on your one thing to achieve extraordinary results.