Many of us think we can wake up early and meditate, go to the gym, go to work, read a book a week, spend time with family, work on our business ideas, research stock investments, volunteer, attend club meetings, take piano lessons, learn a new language… you get the idea. Out motivation is like a battery, when it’s full we are hard chargers, but when it’s low… maybe tomorrow. We can get overwhelmed and almost any task seems like too much. Then we are just average at what we do and not superstars. You end up frustrated and disappointed. There are only 24 hours in a day. We wonder how do some people get so much done???
The difference is some people just focus on one thing. In high school, Bill Gates focused on one thing- computers. Paul Allen gave him his first job and you know the rest of the story. The point is, if you focus on the right thing at the right time, then other things fall into place. It can create a domino effect. But, sometimes what we believe may not be true.
The book breaks down the six myths that stop people from focusing on their one thing.
- Everything is equally important. We have demands from family, social commitments, a boss and so on. The Pareto Principle says that you get 80 percent of your results from 20 percent of your effort. You know that some of your ideas account for most of your results. A few clients bring in the most value to your business, a few investments produce the best returns. Then focusing on a few high impact things create extraordinary results.
- Multi-tasking -No one really gets more done by this. We think we can really do more than one thing at the time. Stanford University studies proved it doesn’t work. We actually lose time as we switch from one thing to another and back again.
- A disciplined life – some believe that superhuman self-discipline results in success. All have the potential to decide strategically to act in certain ways. When you do it long enough, it becomes a habit and then it’s easier to maintain and require less effort. New habits take about 66 days to form research shows. So don’t give up. (See James Clear’s book Atomic Habits. Just get better by 1% a day)
- It just takes willpower – if you buy this, you’ll set yourself up for disappointment. Willpower is important but, it’s not always there when you need it. It may feel absent somedays. Many activities drain your willpower. The author suggests to tackle your one thing at the start of the day when you have the most energy.
- Strive for a balanced life – yes that seems obvious. The idea started decades ago when more women entered the workforce. Work/family – seem like balance was needed, then men felt that way too. Along comes technology and now we are on call at all times it seems. Balancing all areas of life keeps you from making an extraordinary commitment to anything. When you are working, work, when you have family time, do that. (Focus on one thing). Doing a poor job at both is not ideal or balanced.
- Don’t think too big – focus your sights on a more realistic goal. You can’t write a book at one sitting. Sometimes it’s good to get a few sentences, then paragraphs, then a chapter. Let one complete goal be the platform for the next. What will it be for you?
Now ask yourself, what is my one thing? What’s the one thing I can do that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary? Once you decide, then begin to implement.
There are two major components: purpose and priority. To find that purpose, write down some activities you are passionate about. List several outcomes. Pick one activity and one outcome that is most important to you. Combine the activity and outcome to answer the questions, what one thing can I do that will make everything easier? Write it down and put it somewhere you can see it every day. Think about it for a while. Change it if needed. The goal is to Start.
Next is priority – ask yourself – based on my goal, what is the one thing I can do in the next five years to reach it? What is the one thing to do next year, then next month… what can I do this week? Based on my goal for the week, what can I do today? What can I do now? Stacking these priorities helps you see what your next action is and then you can grow.
Remember, if you chase two rabbits, you won’t catch either one. Use the tools above to find your one thing.
Get the book on Amazon or watch some of the many videos about it on YouTube.