“Your One Word” by Evan Carmichael is a powerful guide to uncovering your core purpose and using it to fuel success in business and life. This book offers a fresh perspective on personal development, challenging you to distill your entire essence into a single, potent word.
Ready to discover your driving force? Dive into this review and unlock the secret to a more purposeful existence.
Table of Contents
Genres
Business Culture, Business Motivation, Self-Improvement, Motivational Management, Leadership, Success Self-Help, Business Life, Business Skills, Psychological Self-Help, Self-Esteem, Entrepreneurship, Personal Development, Technology
Summary
Carmichael’s book centers on the concept that each person has a unique “One Word” that encapsulates their core values, passions, and purpose. This word serves as a compass for decision-making and goal-setting in both personal and professional realms. The author guides readers through a process of self-discovery to identify their One Word, using examples from successful entrepreneurs and his own experiences.
The book is divided into three main sections: Finding Your One Word, Living Your One Word, and Growing Your One Word. Carmichael provides exercises and questions to help readers narrow down their core values and ultimately choose their defining word. He then offers strategies for aligning daily actions and long-term goals with this guiding principle.
Throughout the text, Carmichael emphasizes the importance of authenticity and staying true to one’s values. He argues that by focusing on your One Word, you can create a more meaningful and impactful life, as well as build a business that resonates with your true self and attracts like-minded individuals.
Review
“Your One Word” offers a refreshingly simple yet profound approach to personal and professional development. Carmichael’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex concepts easy to grasp. The book’s structure allows for a step-by-step journey of self-discovery, which readers will find both challenging and rewarding.
One of the book’s strengths lies in its practicality. Carmichael doesn’t just present theory; he provides actionable steps and real-world examples that illustrate how to apply the One Word concept. This makes the book valuable for both aspiring entrepreneurs and those seeking personal growth.
However, some readers might find the premise overly simplistic. Distilling one’s entire being into a single word could feel reductive to those who appreciate nuance and complexity in personal development.
The book shines in its ability to inspire introspection and clarity of purpose. Carmichael’s enthusiasm is contagious, motivating readers to dig deep and uncover their core values. The emphasis on authenticity and alignment between personal values and business practices is particularly relevant in today’s entrepreneurial landscape.
While the concept isn’t entirely novel, Carmichael’s approach and presentation make it feel fresh and actionable. The book serves as a practical tool for those feeling lost or unfocused in their personal or professional lives.
Overall, “Your One Word” is a thought-provoking read that challenges conventional wisdom about success and fulfillment. It’s best suited for individuals open to self-reflection and willing to commit to a focused approach to personal and professional growth.
“There is one word that defines who you are, connects all the things in your life that make you come alive, and will help you escape the chains of mediocrity.” – Evan Carmichael
Your One Word is what you stand for. It’s a core value that you use to make important decisions.
Discovering your One Word is essential if you want to build a great company or product.
Why?
Your One Word is a steady source of motivation
Anytime you try doing something great, you’ll encounter a dip. It’s a time when you feel like giving up because you’re not getting the results you expected, and you’re no longer getting encouragement from others. What pulls you through these dips is remembering why you do what you do, the reason for your struggle. Your One Word is that reason. And because it’s so short, it’s easy to remember when times get tough.
Your One Word makes it easy for people to talk about you
“It’s a noisy world. We’re not going to get a chance to get people to remember much about us. And so, we have to be really clear on what we want them to know about us.” – Steve Jobs
While Steve Job’s was running Apple, his focus on “elegance” was apparent. It made it easy for people to tell the difference between an Apple computer and every other computer on the market.
When you build your business around One Word that is NOT ‘money’ or ‘profit’, you develop a competitive advantage by establishing an emotional connection with a select group of people who identify with your One Word.
“When you stand for something important, something people feel connected to, something people are proud to be a part of, and you make it easy for them to share because they only have to remember One Word, then referrals start to flow.” – Evan Carmichael
How do I find my One Word?
Generate a list of answers to the following questions:
Favorite Things
- What are my favorite books and what do they have in common?
- What are my favorite movies and what do they have in common?
Constants
- What interest(s) have been a constant theme in my life?
- What do I never seem to never get bored of?
Personality Traits
- Of the people I enjoy being around, what personality traits do they have in common?
- Of the people I dread being around, what traits do they share, and what is the opposite of that?
What words do each of the three areas have in common?
When you’ve narrowed it down to One Word, remind yourself of your One Word throughout the day, and observe what effect it has. Does it inspire you to take action? Does it allow you to make decisions easily? If not, keep searching for the One Word that does.
EVAN CARMICHAEL coaches entrepreneurs for peak performance. At 19, he built then sold a biotech software company. At 22, he was a VC helping raise $500k to $15mil. Evan was named one of the Top 100 Great Leadership Speakers for your Next Conference by Inc Magazine and one of the Top 40 Social Marketing Talents by Forbes. He has been interviewed or featured as an entrepreneur expert in The New York Times, The Wall St. Journal, Forbes, Mashable, and elsewhere. He now runs EvanCarmichael.com, a popular website for entrepreneurs. He speaks globally and is based in Toronto. And his One Word is Believe.
Table of Contents
Introduction xi
Part 1 Core 1
Chapter 1 One Word Impact 3
Chapter 2 My One Word, “Believe” 19
Chapter 3 Finding Your One Word 37
Part 2 Campaign 73
Chapter 4 Build a Movement 75
Chapter 5 The Planning Checklist 87
Part 3 Company 141
Chapter 6 Culture 144
Chapter 7 Operations 181
Conclusion 235
Acknowledgments 247
About the Author 249