One of the books that's changed how I'm approaching my future is The ONE Thing by Gary Keller.
Simple books often create the biggest breakthroughs.
This was one of them.
The premise is remarkably straightforward:
What's the ONE Thing you can do such that by doing it, everything else becomes easier or unnecessary?
That question has been challenging me ever since I read it.
As leaders, professionals, parents, spouses, and entrepreneurs, we often wear our busyness like a badge of honor. We fill our calendars. We juggle dozens of priorities. We convince ourselves that productivity means doing more.
But what if extraordinary success isn't about doing more?
What if it's about doing less...
...with greater intention?
Start with the Finish Line
One of my favorite concepts from the book is beginning with the end in mind and then working backwards.
Instead of asking, "What should I do today?"
Ask:
What do I ultimately want my life to look like?
Think about it across the areas of your life.
- Personally
- Professionally
- Spiritually
- Financially
- Physically
- In your relationships
Once you identify that destination, reverse engineer the path.
Work Backwards
Rather than creating an overwhelming to-do list, ask yourself one question at every level.
What's the ONE Thing...?
- ...I need to accomplish this year?
- ...I need to achieve in the next six months?
- ...I need to focus on this month?
- ...I need to complete this week?
- ...I need to do today?
See what happens?
Instead of chasing dozens of competing priorities, every decision begins pointing in the same direction.
That's focus.
That's clarity.
That's momentum.
A.C.T.
Many of you have heard me say:
Action Changes Things.
Or simply... A.C.T.
Goals don't change lives.
Dreams don't change lives.
Calendars don't change lives.
Actions do.
The purpose of identifying your ONE Thing isn't simply to think differently. It's to act differently. Because it's not what we know... It's what we apply.
One Final Thought...
One question I've started asking myself every morning is:
"What's the ONE Thing I can do today that my future self will thank me for?"
It's amazing how much clarity comes from asking better questions. I'd encourage you to spend a few minutes this week asking yourself:
What's my ONE Thing?
You may be surprised by the answer.
Have a great week!
— Kevin
