The ONE Thing by Gary Keller is a refreshing departure from life-hacking tips and tricks. Keller argues that success isn’t about optimizing every minute but investing in what matters. The book lays out a surprisingly simple formula:
By ruthlessly paring down, you will achieve more. The ONE thing doesn’t promise a quick fix, but it does offer an enduring truth—less is more.
Chapter 1: The ONE Thing
This chapter sets the stage for the entire book by introducing the core concept of the ONE thing – the idea that focusing on the most important task leads to extraordinary results.
If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.
Russian proverb
Takeaway
Extraordinary success is about doing the right thing, not everything right. To achieve your goals, you must identify and prioritize your most important task above all else.
Frage
The main idea is that success is not about doing everything, but about doing the right thing – the ONE Thing that will make everything else easier or unnecessary.
The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, supports this concept. It states that roughly 80% of results come from 20% of effort. This emphasizes the inequality of effort and results, highlighting the need to focus on the vital few actions that yield the majority of outcomes.
Exercises
Chapter 2: The Domino Effect
Focusing on your ONE thing creates a chain reaction of positive outcomes, much like a domino effect. Small actions, done consistently, will lead to big results.
Getting extraordinary results is all about creating a domino effect in your life.
Gary Keller
Takeaway
Success is built sequentially, one thing at a time. Like a domino effect, each accomplishment sets the stage for the next, propelling you towards your ultimate goal.
Frage
Success is not a giant leap but a series of smaller wins. Focusing on your ONE Thing creates momentum, each accomplishment making the next easier and leading to extraordinary results.
Research
A study by psychologists on visualization found that students who visualized the process of achieving a goal (breaking down steps) performed better than those who only visualized the outcome. This illustrates that success is built step by step, emphasizing the importance of understanding the domino effect.
Exercises
Chapter 3: Success Leaves Clues
Study successful people and businesses to uncover the “clues” to their success. While every success story is unique, some common principles and strategies can be learned and applied.
The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.
Stephen Covey
Takeaway
Successful people and businesses often focus on ONE thing that drives their extraordinary results. By studying these examples, you can gain insights and strategies for your own journey.
Frage
Success leaves clues. Observing the habits, mindsets, and strategies of those who have achieved what we desire can provide valuable insights and guide our own actions.
In his book “Outliers,” Malcolm Gladwell popularized the 10,000-hour rule, citing research by Anders Ericsson. The rule suggests that achieving mastery in any field requires approximately 10,000 hours of deliberate practice. This highlights the importance of dedicated effort and provides a benchmark for success. While the exact number of hours is debated, the principle of consistent effort remains a key takeaway.
Exercises
Part 1: The Lies (Chapters 4-9)
Part 1 explores common misconceptions that prevent people from achieving extraordinary results. It exposes these “lies” about success and sets the stage for understanding the true principles of productivity and achievement.
We must challenge common assumptions about success to unlock our true potential. These chapters deconstruct popular but misleading beliefs that can hinder progress.
Chapter 4: Everything Matters Equally
It’s a myth that all tasks are equally important. Prioritizing is essential for success, and the Pareto Principle is a useful framework for focusing on the most impactful activities.
The secret of achieving extraordinary results lies in identifying the vital few and investing the majority of our time and resources on them.
Richard Koch
Takeaway
Not all tasks are created equal. Focusing on the vital few, the 20% that yield the greatest results, is essential for achieving extraordinary outcomes.
Frage
This belief leads to scattered effort and diluted impact. It prevents us from prioritizing the tasks that truly move the needle towards our goals.
The Pareto Principle, derived from the work of Vilfredo Pareto, is a powerful illustration of this concept. It demonstrates that a small percentage of causes (20%) are responsible for the majority of results (80%). This principle applies to various aspects of life and business, reinforcing the need to prioritize.
Exercises
Chapter 5: Multitasking
The popular notion that multitasking leads to greater productivity is a myth. Research shows that multitasking actually diminishes focus and reduces overall efficiency.
To do two things right, do one thing at a time.
Philip Knight
Takeaway
Multitasking is a myth. Focusing on one task at a time leads to better quality work and faster completion times.
Frage
Multitasking divides our attention and prevents us from fully engaging with any one task. This results in decreased accuracy, increased errors, and ultimately, reduced productivity.
Research
A study by Clifford Nass at Stanford University found that multitaskers are less efficient at switching between tasks, filtering information, and remembering details. This research demonstrates the negative impact of multitasking on cognitive abilities and productivity.
Exercises
Chapter 6: A Disciplined Life
It’s a myth that success requires constant, unwavering discipline. Success is more about developing powerful habits, which, once established, require less ongoing discipline to maintain.
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
Aristotle
Takeaway
Success is not about being disciplined but developing the right habits. By focusing on building one habit at a time, you can achieve extraordinary results without needing superhuman discipline.
Frage
While discipline is needed to initially establish a habit, once a habit is formed it becomes automatic and requires less conscious effort. Success comes from building the right habits, making discipline a temporary, not constant, requirement.
Research
Research by the University College of London found that it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit. This timeframe emphasizes the need for consistent effort and discipline during the habit formation phase.
Exercises
Chapter 7: Willpower Is Always on Will-Call
It’s a myth that willpower is an unlimited resource. Willpower is not always available on demand, and you need strategies to manage and maximize this valuable asset.
Willpower is essential to the accomplishment of anything worthwhile.
Brian Tracy
Takeaway
Your willpower is a limited resource. You must strategically manage your willpower by prioritizing your most important tasks and protecting your energy levels.
Frage
By understanding that willpower is limited, we can prioritize our most important tasks when our willpower is strongest, usually in the morning. We can also protect our willpower by properly fueling (nutrition) and resting (sleep).
Research
A study by Baba Shiv at Stanford University demonstrated how even a small cognitive load can deplete willpower. Students who had to memorize a seven-digit number were more likely to choose chocolate cake over fruit salad, indicating reduced willpower due to mental exertion.
Exercises
Chapter 8: A Balanced Life
The balanced life is a myth. Striving for perfect balance in all areas of your life is often a recipe for mediocrity. Instead, prioritize what truly matters.
Problems arise in that one has to find a balance between what people need from you and what you need for yourself.
Jessye Norman
Takeaway
Extraordinary results require focused attention and time, meaning you will inevitably be out of balance as you pursue your priorities. The key is to intentionally counterbalance, focusing on what matters most at any given time.
Frage
A perfectly balanced life is an ideal, not a reality. It’s impossible to give equal attention to every area of life simultaneously. Achieving extraordinary results requires prioritizing certain areas at certain times, leading to inevitable imbalance.
Research
While no specific study explicitly disproves the concept of balance, research on goal setting consistently emphasizes the importance of focus and prioritization. These studies imply that dividing attention equally among all goals is less effective than concentrating effort on specific objectives.
Exercises
Chapter 9: Big Is Bad
There is nothing wrong with thinking big. Limiting your thinking limits your potential. Embrace ambitious goals and bold action.
The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.
Michelangelo
Takeaway
Thinking big is essential for achieving extraordinary results. Limiting your thinking creates artificial ceilings that prevent you from reaching your full potential.
Frage
Big thinking expands our horizons, pushes us beyond our comfort zones, and opens up possibilities we might not have considered otherwise. It inspires bold action and leads to greater accomplishments.
Research
Carol Dweck‘s research on mindsets reveals the power of a “growth mindset”. Individuals with a growth mindset believe their abilities can be developed through effort and learning. They embrace challenges and see setbacks as opportunities for growth. This research supports the idea that thinking big fosters a growth mindset and fuels achievement.
Exercises
Part 2: The Truth (Chapters 10-12)
Part 2 introduces the principles and strategies that lead to true productivity and achievement. It provides a framework for identifying your ONE Thing, focusing your efforts, and achieving extraordinary results.
This part of the book provides the actionable tools for implementing the ONE Thing concept. It focuses on the Focusing Question, the Success Habit, and the path to finding great answers.
Chapter 10: The Focusing Question
Die Focusing Question is a powerful tool for identifying your ONE Thing in any situation. You need to ask the right questions to uncover the most impactful actions.
The power to question is the basis of all human progress.
Indira Ghandi
Takeaway
The Focusing Question is the key to unlocking extraordinary results by helping you pinpoint the most leveraged activity for achieving your goals.
Frage
By prompting us to identify the ONE Thing that will make everything else easier or unnecessary, the Focusing Question helps us prioritize our actions and focus on the most impactful tasks.
Research
Research on the power of questions highlights their ability to enhance learning and performance. Asking questions encourages active engagement with information and promotes deeper understanding. While no specific study directly links the focus question to outcomes, research on effective questioning supports its value in clarifying priorities and driving action.
Exercises
Chapter 11: The Success Habit
Make the Focusing Question your Success Habit and integrate it into your daily routine to maximise its effectiveness.
Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
Jim Rohn
Takeaway
Consistently asking the Focusing Question is the Success Habit that drives extraordinary results. Making it a daily practice will unlock clarity, productivity, and a sense of purpose.
Frage
By using reminders, setting up support systems, and practising consistently, we can integrate the Focusing Question into our daily lives, making it an automatic part of our decision-making process.
Research
Research on habit formation emphasizes the importance of consistency and repetition. While no specific study focuses on the Focusing Question as a habit, studies on habit development generally support the idea that regular practice is crucial for making any behaviour automatic.
Exercises
Chapter 12: The Path to Great Answers
To find great answers to your focus question, you must explore different categories of answers and provide strategies for uncovering the most impactful solutions.
Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.
William S. Burroughs
Takeaway
Achieving extraordinary results requires finding Great Answers that go beyond the obvious and push the boundaries of what’s possible. This involves researching, benchmarking, and trending to uncover innovative solutions.
Frage
By moving beyond “doable” answers and exploring “stretch” and “possibility” answers, we can unlock more creative and impactful solutions. This involves researching, modelling successful individuals, and pushing beyond our current knowledge and abilities.
Research
Research on innovation and creativity emphasizes the importance of exploring beyond existing knowledge and practices. Studies on high achievers often highlight their willingness to challenge conventions and seek out novel solutions.
Exercises
Part 3: Extraordinary Results (Chapters 13-18)
Part 3 provides a framework for achieving extraordinary results by connecting purpose, priority, and productivity. It guides readers on how to live with purpose, prioritize effectively, and maximize their productivity through time blocking and other strategies.
This part of the book combines all previous concepts into a cohesive plan for achieving extraordinary results. It emphasizes aligning your actions with your purpose, mastering your ONE Thing, and protecting your time and energy.
Chapter 13: Live with Purpose
It’s important to align your actions with a clear purpose. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol illustrates the transformative power of living with purpose.
The person without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder.
Thomas Carlyle
Takeaway
Living with purpose brings meaning and direction to your actions, leading to greater fulfilment and happiness. Identifying your “Big Why” provides the motivation and clarity to achieve extraordinary results.
Frage
Reflecting on what truly motivates you and brings you joy and a sense of fulfilment will help you uncover your purpose. Aligning your actions with your “Big Why” empowers you to live more intentionally and achieve greater results.
Research
Research on happiness and well-being consistently shows that people with a sense of purpose and meaning tend to experience greater happiness and satisfaction. Studies on goal setting also emphasize the importance of connecting goals to personal values and aspirations, suggesting that purpose is a key driver of motivation and achievement.
Exercises
Chapter 14: Live by Priority
Prioritize your ONE Thing to achieve extraordinary results, and use the concept of “Goal Setting to the Now” to connect your long-term goals to your daily actions.
Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.
Peter Drucker
Takeaway
Prioritizing your ONE Thing through Goal Setting to the Now ensures you are always working on the most impactful task, bridging the gap between your future aspirations and your present actions.
Frage
By connecting your long-term goals to your daily actions through Goal Setting to the Now, you can identify the most important task to focus on right now. This involves working backwards from your someday goal, identifying the necessary steps, and choosing the most crucial action for today.
Research
Research on goal setting highlights the importance of breaking down large goals into smaller, more manageable steps. This process helps to create a clear path to the goal, making it seem less daunting and more achievable.
Exercises
Chapter 15: Live for Productivity
Time blocking is a powerful tool for maximizing productivity. Dedicate focused blocks of time to your ONE Thing to achieve extraordinary results.
The secret to productivity is not managing your time but managing your focus.
Luke Seavers
Takeaway
Time blocking is a strategic approach to time management that prioritizes your ONE Thing and protects it from distractions, enabling you to make significant progress towards your most important goals.
Frage
By scheduling dedicated blocks of time for your ONE Thing and protecting those blocks from distractions, you can ensure you consistently work on the most important tasks, leading to greater productivity and results.
Research
Research on attention and focus highlights the importance of minimizing distractions and dedicating uninterrupted time to challenging tasks. A recent study (Williams, T., Kallas, E., Garcia, E., Fitzroy, A., & Sithole, P., 2024) shows that time blocking is a highly effective technique for improving productivity and efficiency in daily tasks.
Exercises
Chapter 16: The Three Commitments
There are three commitments necessary for achieving extraordinary results through time blocking:
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
Jimmy Johnson
Takeaway
To fully leverage time blocking, you must commit to mastering your ONE Thing, continually seeking better ways to achieve it (moving from “E” to “P”), and holding yourself accountable for the results.
Frage
The three commitments are: (1.) Follow the path of mastery (continuously improve your skills and knowledge related to your ONE Thing), (2.) Move from “E” to “P” (seek out and adopt the best models and systems for achieving your ONE Thing), and (3.) Live the accountability cycle (take ownership of your outcomes and seek feedback for improvement).
Research
Anders Ericsson‘s research on deliberate practice highlights the importance of consistent, focused effort in achieving mastery. It suggests that experts are not born but made through dedicated practice and continuous improvement. This research supports the idea of committing to mastery as a key element of success.
Exercises
Chapter 17: The Four Thieves
There are four common “thieves” that steal your time and productivity: the inability to say no, fear of chaos, poor health habits, and an environment that doesn’t support your goals. Combat these thieves and reclaim your focus and energy.
Energy flows where attention goes.
Michael Beckwith
Takeaway
Protecting your time and energy from the four productivity thieves is crucial for maintaining achieving extraordinary results. You can safeguard your ONE Thing and make significant progress by learning to say no, embracing chaos, prioritizing health, and creating a supportive environment.
Frage
The four thieves are: (1.) The inability to say no (leading to distractions and commitments that divert us from our ONE Thing), (2.) The fear of chaos (preventing us from prioritizing our ONE Thing due to the perceived disruption it may cause), (3.) Poor health habits (draining our energy and focus), and (4.) An environment that doesn’t support our goals (lacking the resources, support, or structure to facilitate our ONE Thing).
Research
Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler’s research on social networks demonstrates how our relationships can influence our health habits. Their study on obesity, for instance, found that if a close friend becomes obese, you are 57% more likely to follow suit. This highlights the impact of our environment on our behaviours and outcomes.
Exercises
Chapter 18: The Journey
This final chapter concludes the book by emphasizing that the journey to extraordinary results is an ongoing process. It encourages you to embrace the power of The ONE Thing and apply it to various aspects of your life.
Make sure every day you do what matters most. When you know what matters most, everything makes sense. When you don’t know what matters most, anything makes sense.
Gary Keller, The ONE thing (book)
Takeaway
Living The ONE Thing is a journey, not a destination. By consistently focusing on your most important priority and taking action, you can achieve extraordinary results and create a life of purpose and fulfilment.
Frage
The ultimate message is that focusing on your ONE Thing, the most important task for achieving your goals is the key to extraordinary results. It’s a continuous journey of prioritizing, taking action, and building momentum, leading to a life of purpose and fulfilment.
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