“Success demands singleness of purpose. You need to be doing fewer things for more effect instead of doing more things with side effects. It is those who concentrate on but one thing at a time who advance in this world.” – Gary Keller (all quotes below are by Gary Keller)
Table of Contents
3 Commitments that Reveal your ONE Thing
“What ONE Thing can I do, such that by doing it, makes everything else easier or unnecessary?” To find the answer, remember your M.A.P.:
Mastery
What can I do to continuously improve?
“When you can see mastery as a path you go down instead of a destination you arrive at, it starts to feel accessible and attainable. Most assume mastery is an end result, but at its core, mastery is a way of thinking, a way of acting, and a journey you experience. When what you’ve chosen to master is the right thing, then pursuing mastery of it will make everything else you do either easier or no longer necessary.”
Accountability
What am I committed to?
“Taking complete ownership of your outcomes by holding no one but yourself responsible for them is the most powerful thing you can do to drive your success. As such, accountability is most likely the most important of the three commitments. Without it, your journey down the path of mastery will be cut short the moment you encounter a challenge. Without it, you won’t figure out how to break through the ceilings of achievement you’ll hit along the way.”
Passion
What result would I do anything to achieve?
“When you’re in search of extraordinary results, accepting an OK Plateau or any other ceiling of achievement isn’t okay when it applies to your ONE Thing.”
Recall what you’re trying to master, what you’re accountable for, and what big audacious goal drives you to identify your ONE thing amidst a sea of many ‘things.’
2 Beliefs that Distract you from your ONE Thing
I just can’t say ‘no’…
“Someone once told me that one ‘yes’ must be defended over time by 1,000 ‘nos.’” The road to doing too many things and spreading yourself thin is paved by saying ‘yes’ too quickly and ‘no’ not soon enough. “Peers will ask for your advice and help. Co-workers will want you on their team. Friends will request your assistance. Strangers will seek you out. Invitations and interruptions will come at you from everywhere imaginable. How you handle all of this determines the time you’re able to devote to your ONE Thing and the results you’re ultimately able to produce.”
- After you establish your three commitments, embrace the discomfort of saying ‘no’ to people in order to say ‘yes’ to your ONE thing.
It all needs to get done (it’s all equally important)…
When your to-do lists get long, you probably get the feeling that you’re falling behind. The fear of falling behind makes everything seems urgent AND important. “When everything feels urgent and important, everything seems equal. We become active and busy, but this doesn’t actually move us any closer to success. Activity is often unrelated to productivity, and busyness rarely takes care of business. Long hours spent checking off a to-do list and ending the day with a full trash can and a clean desk are not virtuous and have nothing to do with success.”
“A not-so-funny thing happens along the way to extraordinary results. Untidiness. Unrest. Disarray. Disorder. Messes are inevitable when you focus on just one thing. While you whittle away on your most important work, the world doesn’t sit and wait. It stays on fast forward and things just rack up and stack up while you bear down on a singular priority.”
- After establishing your three commitments, embrace a little chaos, and stay true to your ONE thing. Remember what Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke once said: “The things which are most important don’t always scream the loudest.”
Review
Introduction:
“The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results” by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan is a thought-provoking and insightful book that challenges readers to rethink their approach to achieving success in their personal and professional lives. The authors, who are co-founders of Keller Williams Realty, share their expertise on the importance of focusing on the essential elements of success and eliminating the non-essential ones. In this review, we will delve into the key takeaways from the book and explore how they can be applied to various aspects of life.
The book is divided into four parts:
- Part 1: The ONE Thing
- Part 2: The 4 Disciplines of the ONE Thing
- Part 3: The ONE Thing Manifesto
- Part 4: The ONE Thing Action Plan
In Part 1, the authors introduce the concept of the ONE Thing and explain why it is so important. They argue that by focusing on one thing at a time, we can achieve more than we ever thought possible.
In Part 2, the authors discuss the four disciplines of the ONE Thing:
- Clarity: What is your ONE Thing?
- Conviction: Why is your ONE Thing important?
- Commitment: Are you committed to your ONE Thing?
- Clarity: How will you measure your progress?
In Part 3, the authors present the ONE Thing Manifesto, which is a summary of the key principles of the book.
In Part 4, the authors provide an action plan for implementing the ONE Thing in your life.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Focus: The book’s central message is that achieving extraordinary results requires focusing on the most important things first and eliminating the non-essential ones. The authors argue that most people fail to achieve their goals due to a lack of focus, rather than a lack of ability.
- The ONE Thing: The authors identify the “ONE Thing” as the essential element that, when achieved, will lead to extraordinary results. This could be a skill, a habit, a relationship, or a goal. Identifying and focusing on the ONE Thing is the key to achieving success.
- The Law of the Vital Few: The authors explain that a small number of factors contribute to an outsized proportion of results. Identifying and focusing on these factors is crucial to achieving success.
- The Importance of Saying No: The authors emphasize the importance of saying no to non-essential tasks and commitments in order to focus on the ONE Thing. This requires setting clear boundaries and prioritizing what is most important.
- The Power of Small Wins: The authors argue that achieving small wins can lead to larger successes over time. They encourage readers to focus on making progress, rather than achieving perfection.
- The Role of Habits: The authors discuss the role of habits in achieving success. They suggest that developing good habits and eliminating bad ones can lead to long-term success.
- The Importance of Accountability: The authors emphasize the importance of holding oneself accountable for achieving the ONE Thing. This requires setting clear goals and tracking progress.
- The Role of Mindset: The authors discuss the role of mindset in achieving success. They suggest that a positive mindset and a growth mindset are essential for achieving extraordinary results.
Strengths:
- Practical and actionable advice: The book provides practical and actionable advice that readers can apply to achieve extraordinary results in their personal and professional lives.
- Clear and concise writing style: The authors write in a clear and concise style that makes the book easy to read and understand.
- Real-life examples: The book’s real-life examples illustrate the effectiveness of the ONE Thing concept and provide inspiration for readers.
Weaknesses:
- Limited scope: The book’s focus on the ONE Thing concept may not be applicable to all situations, and some readers may find that other factors are also important in achieving their goals.
- Lacks depth in certain areas: Some readers may find that certain areas of the book, such as the discussion of the 5 disciplines, are not as well developed as they could be.
Implications for Personal and Professional Life:
This book has several implications for personal and professional life. Here are some of the key takeaways:
- Focus on the Essential: By focusing on the essential elements of success, individuals can achieve extraordinary results in their personal and professional lives.
- Prioritize Effectively: Identifying and focusing on the most important tasks and goals can lead to greater productivity and success.
- Build Good Habits: Developing good habits and eliminating bad ones can lead to long-term success.
- Hold Yourself Accountable: Setting clear goals and tracking progress can help individuals hold themselves accountable for achieving their ONE Thing.
- Cultivate a Positive Mindset: A positive mindset and a growth mindset can help individuals overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, “The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results” by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan is a thought-provoking and insightful book that challenges readers to rethink their approach to achieving success. By focusing on the essential elements of success and eliminating the non-essential ones, individuals can achieve extraordinary results in their personal and professional lives. This book has several implications for personal and professional life, including the importance of focus, prioritization, habit-building, accountability, and mindset. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to achieve success in their personal and professional lives.