The One Thing

[Karl619]

So last night I started to read the best selling book "The One Thing" by Gary Keller.

I'm only half way through the book and it's revealed some home truths already.

The thing that struck me the most is the section on the in-effectiveness of 'multi-tasking'. Simply put, it's impossible to give two tasks the same intense focus at the same time. This might seem obvious to you but I never thought about it that way.

I'll be sharing more insights and opinions the further I delve into the book but for now let me ask - what is the ONE thing that you're doubling down on right now?

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

The thing that struck me the most is the section on the in-effectiveness of 'multi-tasking'. Simply put, it's impossible to give two tasks the same intense focus at the same time. This might seem obvious to you but I never thought about it that way.

Yes, although I like multi-tasking entertainment -- so instead of entertainment getting my focus, it only receives partial.

Nonetheless, I think "multi-tasking" a business is also a big mistake. I have 5 businesses usually translates into "I have 5 businesses that suck" (unless you're Elon Musk.)

 

[Joe Cassandra]

So last night I started to read the best selling book "The One Thing" by Gary Keller.

I'm only half way through the book and it's revealed some home truths already.

The thing that struck me the most is the section on the in-effectiveness of 'multi-tasking'. Simply put, it's impossible to give two tasks the same intense focus at the same time. This might seem obvious to you but I never thought about it that way.

I'll be sharing more insights and opinions the further I delve into the book but for now let me ask - what is the ONE thing that you're doubling down on right now?

An incredible book.

Don't remember the entire 'multi-tasking' section but it's proven women can multi-task much better than men. I used to pride myself on my multi-tasking until I almost got fired for how inefficient I was (I work for myself now, so that's in the past).

The ONE THING I'm working on is drawing the line in the sand between 'real work' and 'fake work.'

A few years ago when i caught the 'trep-bug' I read book after book after book. I'd argue with my wife saying "I'm working"... I wasn't.
I'd be reading about 'knowing when to fire employees' when I still worked in a cubicle.

Waste.

Today, as a self-employed dude, there's still that pull. 'How about I take another course on writing copy' vs. 'Let's go out and get dem clients!'
Or, if I am improving as a writer, it's much better to :
A. Work on a client's ad to better it and see the results
B. Then, to re-read another copy book

A = I'm actually doing some work and putting it out into the world to triumph or burn
B = I'm cuddled in the corner reading a book again without putting it into action

 

[Andy Black]

Great book, and great on Audible too if I recall.

My one takeaway was to keep asking:

"What's The ONE Thing I can do that will make everything else unnecessary or easier?"

(And if you don't know what that ONE Thing is, then finding out *is* your ONE Thing...)



Similarly, I constantly ask myself "Do I actually need to do this?"


Time management is a myth, it's all about prioritisation. Do the first things first - and everything else is unnecessary or easier.

 

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[GuestUser450]

"...I have 5 businesses that suck" (unless you're Elon Musk.)

+1. And even with Elon, there's a chance those 5 will eventually need to become 1 to survive.

 

[GuestUser450]

what is the ONE thing that you're doubling down on right now

Right now the 1 thing I'm doubling down on is reduction - Cutting out everything that I don't need: material things I never use, books from friends that I won't read (fiction), events with people who suck energy, junk food, late-night web surfing, etc. Bad habits have crept up on me.

 

[Walter Hay]

Great book, and great on Audible too if I recall.

My one takeaway was to keep asking:

"What's The ONE Thing I can do that will make everything else unnecessary or easier?"

(And if you don't know what that ONE Thing is, then finding out *is* your ONE Thing...)



Similarly, I constantly ask myself "Do I actually need to do this?"


Time management is a myth, it's all about prioritisation. Do the first things first - and everything else is unnecessary or easier.

Prioritisation is vital. I have always been one to use lists. Every now and then, particularly when feeling "too busy", I will write a list of everything that needs to be done.

The list is random, as the task enters my mind. I then go through the list and put numbers next to each task indicating order of priority. Those numbers always need editing until I am sure that they are in the right order.

By this means I make sure, that even if task #2 would only require 1/2 hour, I concentrate on task #1 --- maybe 3 or 4 hours, because it had priority.

By the way, the tasks tend to not even be written down until my Fastlane session is done.

Walter

 

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[GoodluckChuck]

My boss read The One Thing when his one thing should have been working... Oh the irony.

He asked me to read it. I got about 100 pages in before I had to get up and work on the one thing I had to do because it definitely wasn't reading a book about doing it.

Is that meta?