The One Thing
by Gary Keller
Key Concepts
The Domino Effect
Success is sequential; doing one important thing makes the next easier or unnecessary.
Focusing Question
Ask 'What's the ONE Thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?'
Six Lies
Debunks common productivity myths like multitasking, balanced life, and 'just do it'.
Time Blocking
Dedicate specific, uninterrupted blocks of time to your most important task.
Goal Setting to Now
Break down big goals into immediate, actionable steps leading to today's 'ONE Thing'.
Action Items
Identify your 'ONE Thing' for your most important goal.
Ask the Focusing Question daily for work and personal life.
Time-block 4 hours daily for your 'ONE Thing' and protect it fiercely.
Learn to say 'no' to anything that distracts from your primary focus.
Break down big goals into smaller, actionable steps leading to today's 'ONE Thing'.
Core Thesis
Extraordinary results come from narrowing your focus to the single most important thing, eliminating everything else.
Mindset Shift
The biggest shift is from believing more activity leads to more results, to understanding that focused effort on the most important task yields extraordinary outcomes.