The One Thing : Unlocking Your Productivity and Achieving Success

Five years back, I was sitting in economics class, and the professor was teaching us the concept of marginal utility. Before starting lecturing about the subject, he used to share some life lessons with us, and one lesson he taught us that day still sticks with me to this day. He said that if you want to achieve everything, do one thing at a time. At that moment, I did not get the essence of it, but with time, when I started reading self-help books, I realised the importance of his advice. In a world where self-help guides are teaching the benefits of multi-tasking, and everyone is fighting to grab our attention, focusing on one particular thing is becoming the most challenging aspect of our lives.

If you are facing issues focusing on one thing and want to improve your productivity, you have come to the right place. Today, I will share review of one of my all-time favourite self-help book, "THE ONE THING." This book is written by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. It touches upon different themes, including the concept of one thing, the domino effect, the three lies, the three thieves, and many other engaging lessons. So, without further ado, let's get into it.

1.      The one thing

 If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either. A similar philosophy applies to our lives. Therefore, it is essential to select one thing and master the craft. If you are an average performer in multiple things, you will be an average person. But if you choose one skill or subject or field and perfect the art, you will be the master of the same, and no one else can replace you. For example, Messi has mastered his skill in football and succeeded. Therefore, you should also think about the ONE THING you want to be an expert in and perfect the craft.

2.      What is the domino effect?

 In this book, the author suggests that every action or decision we make can be compared to a domino. If you line up a row of dominos and tip the first one over, it will knock down the second, which will knock down the third, and so on, until all the dominos have fallen. The same principle applies to our actions and decisions. Each one has the potential to set off a chain reaction of other actions or decisions. Therefore, it is essential to select ONE THING and start taking small steps every day, and with each passing day, we will get nearer to our aim. The domino effect also explains the significance of consistency and encourages readers to take the first step and be consistent in pursuing their dreams.

3.      Three Lies

The concept of three lies is fascinating. The author explains that we hear three lies from others, and it becomes part of our consciousness and creates hurdles in pursuit of our dreams. These three lies include the following;

i. Everything matters equally- You have to prioritise your goals and actions and invest your time accordingly because all tasks are not equally important, so you should invest time according to the importance of the task.

ii.  Multi-tasking is productive- When we multitask, we lose focus, leading to inefficiency. Therefore, focus on one thing at a time and work on the second one after completing the first task.

iii. A balanced life- if you want an extraordinary life, you will have to work hard and may sacrifice some aspects like social life. It reminded me of one of the interviews of Shahrukh Khan when he was asked about his secret of success, and he debunked the idea of a balanced life. He explained that in order to be successful, an individual has to work hard and sacrifice comfort and luxury.

4.       Three thieves

Another important concept the author explains is three thieves. These thieves steal our essential blessings and cause irreparable loss to our lives. These include;

i. You can't say NO: If you say YES to everything, you will end up disappointing others and yourself. We all have limited time in our lives; therefore, start saying NO. If there comes an opportunity, which is not aligned with your long-term goal, then you should not take it. Therefore, whenever anyone approaches you for something, take a step back and ask yourself, "Is it important for me? Will I be able to give my best to this task" "Will I enjoy doing it" If the answer to your questions is negative, then you should say NO.

ii. Your Poor Health Habits- Remember, health is the most important aspect of our lives. If you are successful but unhealthy, you cannot enjoy or maintain your success. Therefore, always prioritise your health and check on activities that negatively affect your health.

iii.  Your environment does not support your goal- Most often, we hear from people that they did not have the resources; therefore, I was unable to achieve my goal. Although, no one can deny the concept of privilege and inequity in our societies. But it does not mean you cannot achieve your goal. Maybe your journey will be a bit longer, and you may have to face hurdles, but ultimately you will reach your destination. So, stop blaming people and circumstances, and take ownership of your lives.

Overall, it was an amazing book. It helps us to prioritise our goals and take action accordingly.

Happy Reading!!