{"id":2119,"date":"2023-07-17T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/?p=2119"},"modified":"2023-05-30T10:05:23","modified_gmt":"2023-05-30T17:05:23","slug":"thoughts-on-the-one-thing-by-gary-keller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/index.php\/2023\/07\/17\/thoughts-on-the-one-thing-by-gary-keller\/","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts On &#8220;The One Thing&#8221; by Gary Keller"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Key Insights from &#8220;The One Thing&#8221; by Gary Keller<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results is about focusing on what matters the most in personal and work lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here I\u2019ve written down key insights from the book and followed each with a thought or two of my own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Extraordinary results are determined by how narrow you can make your focus.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of a general practitioner versus a brain surgeon. While the GP is still extremely valuable in helping people deal with skin rashes, migraines and diabetes, the brain surgeon is saving lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In marketing, we know that the more you specialize, the more you can charge. If you teach marketing to small businesses, you can charge $. But if you teach marketing to chiropractors who focus on helping car accident victims in the northeast area of the US, then you can charge $$$.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do fewer things for more effect.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Work on what will make the greatest impact to your customers and your business instead of wasting time on non-optimal endeavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if you\u2019re using 10 methods to drive traffic and 2 of those methods are bringing you 80% of your customers, drop the other 8 methods and ramp up the 2. You\u2019ll be spending less time and effort to make more money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Small dominos can topple much larger dominos; stack them right.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You want to do joint ventures with the million-dollar marketers but they won\u2019t return your phone calls?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Create successful joint ventures with smaller marketers, and then refer to those successes when you approach the bigger marketers. Now they have a reason to listen to you and some of them will say yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller-2-.jpeg\" alt=\"the one thing by Gary Keller\" class=\"wp-image-2122 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"578\" src=\"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller-2-.jpeg\" alt=\"the one thing by Gary Keller\" class=\"wp-image-2122 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller-2-.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller-2--300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller-2--768x434.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Success is built sequentially.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a process to getting to the big goal, whatever that might be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s say you want to become a travel blogger and make your money from sponsorships. Read the successful travel blogs. See who is advertising with them. Find all the clues of how these bloggers are creating their success. Start your blog. Write every day even if you\u2019re not traveling at the moment. Practice your writing. Begin establishing relationships with potential advertisers. Talk about their products on your blog and how you use them. Build your audience. Ask these businesses to start sponsoring you financially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Success is a sequence of overlapping steps. Find people who are already doing what you want to do and then model them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Not everything deserves equal time.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Duh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve got a stack of books to read. Some of them are for pure pleasure. Some of them are about your hobbies. And some of them provide keys to help you build a million-dollar business. Which ones will you spend time pouring over and absorbing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Achievers always work from a clear sense of priority.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve got to do lists, right? Let\u2019s face it: There are things on your to do list that may never get done, which is why you need to prioritize and work on your most important tasks first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Multitasking is a lie and it does not work.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to business, I agree with this. When it comes to leisure, I disagree. I like to do jigsaw puzzles and listen to podcasts at the same time. I also like to watch TV and make things with my hands at the same time, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But when I\u2019m writing an email to my list, creating a new product or talking to a coaching client, I am never, ever multi-tasking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller2-1024x781.webp\" alt=\"the one thing by Gary Keller\" class=\"wp-image-2121 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"781\" src=\"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller2-1024x781.webp\" alt=\"the one thing by Gary Keller\" class=\"wp-image-2121 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller2-1024x781.webp 1024w, https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller2-300x229.webp 300w, https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller2-768x586.webp 768w, https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller2.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>It takes 66 days to create a habit.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No. And yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It may or may not take that long, depending on the habit and the person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you want to create a new habit, I suggest you tag it to another habit you already have. For example, if you want to exercise, do it every day right after you get dressed in the morning. Then getting dressed becomes the trigger to exercising and you\u2019ll have a new habit in just a couple of weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the time to create a new habit varies from person to person, the time to break a habit is generally one day, because that one day of not doing your habit can easily lead to two days. And three days. And a week. And a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Become a person of powerful habits.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Good advice. Choose your habits carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Willpower is limited.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As is decision making power, which is why you want to do your most important stuff early in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Connecting purpose, priority, and productivity determines how high you\u2019ll rise.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s your purpose, or the purpose of your business? Have you written down a mission statement yet? Would you like to take a shot at it right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve got that, you can determine your priorities and then create a plan for optimum productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Happiness happens on the way to fulfillment.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I find I\u2019m happiest when I\u2019ve had a productive day that\u2019s gotten me closer to my goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your results may vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Purpose without priority is powerless.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a goal but you never prioritize it and take action towards achieving it, then that goal is just vapor. It isn\u2019t real and may as well not even exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maybe you need a new purpose or a new goal? One that gets your blood fired up?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller--671x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"the one thing by Gary Keller\" class=\"wp-image-2120 lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"671\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller--671x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"the one thing by Gary Keller\" class=\"wp-image-2120 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller--671x1024.jpeg 671w, https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller--196x300.jpeg 196w, https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller--768x1173.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller--1006x1536.jpeg 1006w, https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller--1341x2048.jpeg 1341w, https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Key-Insights-From-_The-One-Thing_-by-Gary-Keller-.jpeg 1524w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 671px) 100vw, 671px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Resting is as important as working.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019d say nearly as important because if all you do is rest, then resting becomes irrelevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As they say, work hard and play hard, too. Even if your \u2018playing\u2019 is spending an evening curled up with a good book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>To experience extra ordinary results, be a maker in the morning and a manager in the afternoon.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is lovely and worthy of framing for your office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re the most creative and do your best work in the morning, so take advantage of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the afternoon you can deal with details like your inbox, planning, delegating and so forth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Personal energy mismanagement is a silent thief of productivity.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Not exercising, staying up late, watching television, playing video games for hours on end, eating poorly, holding grudges\u2026 all of these are energy mismanagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Your environment must support your goals.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This includes not just tidying up your office, but also associating with people who support you as well as challenge you to be better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bottom Line: Figure out what matters most and focus your energies on that.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Insights from &#8220;The One Thing&#8221; by Gary Keller The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results is about focusing on what matters the most in personal and work lives. Here I\u2019ve written down key insights from the book and followed each with a thought or two of my own. Extraordinary results are &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/index.php\/2023\/07\/17\/thoughts-on-the-one-thing-by-gary-keller\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Thoughts On &#8220;The One Thing&#8221; by Gary Keller<\/span>Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2120,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","slim_seo":{"title":"Thoughts On \"The One Thing\" by Gary Keller Stephen Brown's Blog","description":"Key Insights from \"The One Thing\" by Gary Keller. The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results is about focusing on what matters the"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[1289],"class_list":["post-2119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marketing-mindset","tag-the-one-thing-by-gary-keller"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2119"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2119\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2123,"href":"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2119\/revisions\/2123"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2120"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2119"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2119"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stephenbrownsblog.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}