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The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results
by
Gary Keller (Goodreads Author),
Jay Papasan (Goodreads Author)
The One Thing explains the success habit to overcome the six lies that block our success, beat the seven thieves that steal time, and leverage the laws of purpose, priority, and productivity.
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
April 1st 2013
by Bard Press (TX)
(first published 2012)
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Lyn Mettler
Very worthy! Life changing if you ask me. A simplified version of the 80/20 rule.
Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
Over 2,600 books have been written about time management. Why? Because they're not working! There's something everyone is missing...
We have books, blogs, apps, pep talks and lots of personal effort. The deck should be stacked in our favor. So how does time end up managing us more than we manage it?
"The One Thing" is the first resource I've come across with an answer that works.
It helps you move forward with purpose instead of being reactive to stay afloat.
The book teaches you to build a big visi ...more
We have books, blogs, apps, pep talks and lots of personal effort. The deck should be stacked in our favor. So how does time end up managing us more than we manage it?
"The One Thing" is the first resource I've come across with an answer that works.
It helps you move forward with purpose instead of being reactive to stay afloat.
The book teaches you to build a big visi ...more
This book is really deep. While the title is easily marketable I felt the insight was really profound and one of those books I'll definitely need to reference throughout my journey.
KEY INSIGHTS
- Extraordinary results are determined by how narrow you can make your focus
- Do fewer things for more effect instead of doing more things with side effects
- Small dominos can topple much larger dominos; stack them right
- Success is built sequentially
- Not everything deserves equal time
- Achievers always w ...more
KEY INSIGHTS
- Extraordinary results are determined by how narrow you can make your focus
- Do fewer things for more effect instead of doing more things with side effects
- Small dominos can topple much larger dominos; stack them right
- Success is built sequentially
- Not everything deserves equal time
- Achievers always w ...more
I read THE ONE THING and it is a well-crafted book. I didn’t need to use my yellow highlighter on it because the authors (or some graphic artist) underlined passages throughout on the text—as though the reader did it. The text is well-executed with summary bullet points at the end of each chapter and graphically pleasing with pull quotations.
Here’s my reason for giving this book two stars. The authors get commended for their execution but not their content. The contents are little but worn phras ...more
Here’s my reason for giving this book two stars. The authors get commended for their execution but not their content. The contents are little but worn phras ...more
BY CAPTAIN OBVIOUS
The book's big secret: concentrate on ONE thing at a time.
How does it take 140 pages to get ONE Firm Grasp of ONE concept?
State it ONE Hundred different ways.
SAVE YOUR MONEY!
The book's big secret: concentrate on ONE thing at a time.
How does it take 140 pages to get ONE Firm Grasp of ONE concept?
State it ONE Hundred different ways.
SAVE YOUR MONEY!
I recently finishing reading the book, “The ONE Thing” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. As part of my book group I hosted a live call with Jay Papasan and members of the group last week. This book was very insightful. I judge books in this genre based on asking myself, “How much, if at all, will this book change my daily behavior?” Based on that criteria I would have to rank this book very high as it will change my behavior.
The premise of The ONE Thing is that at any given point in time, there is ...more
The premise of The ONE Thing is that at any given point in time, there is ...more
This and more reviews, interviews etc on Dark Matter Zine, an online magazine. http://www.darkmatterzine.com. This review was written by James Kennedy for Dark Matter Zine.
Self-help is fantasy for some people and both genres serve similar purposes for the reader. Both genres stimulate our imaginations and allow us to step into the shoes of someone much more powerful than ourselves. Both genres stimulate creativity and encourage lateral thinking, and both genres are capable of conjuring up idylli ...more
Self-help is fantasy for some people and both genres serve similar purposes for the reader. Both genres stimulate our imaginations and allow us to step into the shoes of someone much more powerful than ourselves. Both genres stimulate creativity and encourage lateral thinking, and both genres are capable of conjuring up idylli ...more
My learnings from the book
(1) If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either
(2) Go narrow and deep. Ignore all the things that you could do, and do only the things that you should do
(3) Not all things matter equally. Find those that matter the most.
(4) You only have so much time and energy. When you spread yourself out, you end up being thin.
(5) No one is self made. No one succeeds alone. No one. There are many people, wishes and hundreds of situations that must fall in place for you to suc ...more
(1) If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either
(2) Go narrow and deep. Ignore all the things that you could do, and do only the things that you should do
(3) Not all things matter equally. Find those that matter the most.
(4) You only have so much time and energy. When you spread yourself out, you end up being thin.
(5) No one is self made. No one succeeds alone. No one. There are many people, wishes and hundreds of situations that must fall in place for you to suc ...more
I disliked the book, it's a meshed up version other self help books, like "How to win friends and influence people" from Dale Carnegie; "Think and grow rich" from Napoleon Hill and others alike.
It's a boring read, you get the message 20 pages into the book, and the rest of the book is repetitive.
The reason I give it 2 starts is that at least the main message is interesting, focus in accomplish one thing at a time, forget everything else. That's it, I just gave you the whole book and saved you so ...more
It's a boring read, you get the message 20 pages into the book, and the rest of the book is repetitive.
The reason I give it 2 starts is that at least the main message is interesting, focus in accomplish one thing at a time, forget everything else. That's it, I just gave you the whole book and saved you so ...more
It was a really nice book, very well-written and scientifically backed
Gary Keller argues that you must always focus on one and only one thing, regarding the goal you have that by accomplishing it, next steps towards the same goal becomes easier.
I think this book has a tremendous potential to increase one's productivity and effectiveness if the given pieces of advice are applied.
I really liked the book and would definitely recommend it to those who seek success.
Gary Keller argues that you must always focus on one and only one thing, regarding the goal you have that by accomplishing it, next steps towards the same goal becomes easier.
I think this book has a tremendous potential to increase one's productivity and effectiveness if the given pieces of advice are applied.
I really liked the book and would definitely recommend it to those who seek success.
Loy Machedo’s Book Review – The One Thing by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan
I like thought provoking books especially those which are easy to read and light in its content. Gary Keller & Jay Papasan’s ‘The One Thing’ fits in beautifully within that framework of being engaging, interesting and substantive.
The Book starts off with a beautiful Russian Quote – If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one. And then the content moves on to revolve around one single theme ‘The One Thing’.
Th ...more
I like thought provoking books especially those which are easy to read and light in its content. Gary Keller & Jay Papasan’s ‘The One Thing’ fits in beautifully within that framework of being engaging, interesting and substantive.
The Book starts off with a beautiful Russian Quote – If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one. And then the content moves on to revolve around one single theme ‘The One Thing’.
Th ...more
أهم معلومتين في الكتاب هما:
1- للتمكن من إنجاز أي مشروع سواء كان مهنيا أو شخصيا, يوجد دائما شيء واحد في فترة معينة من عمر المشروع يمكنك التركيز عليه بحيث إذا أُنجِز, كل شيء آخر يصبح من السهل التعامل معه. و لإنجاز هذا الشيء الوحيد يجب التخصيص له ساعات يوميا على الأقل من غير أي مقاطعة.
2 - لكي يمكن إكتساب أي عادة إيجابية أو التخلّص من عادة سلبية يلم في المعدل 66 يوما متواصلا من غير انقطاع, و لكي يرفع الشخص من مردوديته من الأفضل له أن يواضب على الأعمال المفيدة باستمرار لكي تصبح عادات, مع التأكيد على ...more
1- للتمكن من إنجاز أي مشروع سواء كان مهنيا أو شخصيا, يوجد دائما شيء واحد في فترة معينة من عمر المشروع يمكنك التركيز عليه بحيث إذا أُنجِز, كل شيء آخر يصبح من السهل التعامل معه. و لإنجاز هذا الشيء الوحيد يجب التخصيص له ساعات يوميا على الأقل من غير أي مقاطعة.
2 - لكي يمكن إكتساب أي عادة إيجابية أو التخلّص من عادة سلبية يلم في المعدل 66 يوما متواصلا من غير انقطاع, و لكي يرفع الشخص من مردوديته من الأفضل له أن يواضب على الأعمال المفيدة باستمرار لكي تصبح عادات, مع التأكيد على ...more
کتابی با موضوع تغییر سبک زندگی و حرکت به سمت موفقیت. کتاب خیلی خوبی بود. کتاب عوامل تاثیرگذار بر روی موفقیت و همچنین موانع موفقیت معرفی می کنه و برای رد شدن از این موانع راه حل هایی رو ارائه می کنه. کتاب نکته های خیلی خوبی برای قدم گذاشتن در مسیر موفقیت معرفی می کنه. نکته های ظریفی که خیلی از ما به راحتی و هر روز از کنار اونها رد میشیم. متن خیلی خوب آدم به فکر فرو می بره. باعث میشه به خیلی از کارها و عادت هایی که داریم فکر کنیم.
در جایی از کتاب نویسنده زندگی رو به دومینو تشبیه می کنه یعنی هر کار ...more
در جایی از کتاب نویسنده زندگی رو به دومینو تشبیه می کنه یعنی هر کار ...more
I find it hard on how to rate this book. I go back and forth on if I should rate it 2 or 4 stars, so I settled in the middle with 3.
It could be worth 4 stars, because it is a great anthology of what motivates us and keeps going towards our ONE thing.
It could be worth 2 stars, because it is really redundant and doesn't really show any great resources or research behind each figure.
It could be worth 4 stars, because it is a great anthology of what motivates us and keeps going towards our ONE thing.
It could be worth 2 stars, because it is really redundant and doesn't really show any great resources or research behind each figure.
Quite often the writer repeats others and doesn't own up to it. His repetition of the books title quickly grows annoying and I feel a lack of 'density' throughout the book. Even though the writing is rather boring and he presents nothing new, the book inspired me think about priorities and choices in my own life. This made me award an extra star.
Very powerful book on the topic of productivity and setting yourself up for big goals. My favorite part of "The One Thing" was goal setting, the way Gary Keller is breaking down big goals into small chunks is just genius. This books is a must read for anyone who feels overwhelmed by too many things to do on their daily schedule.
Gary Keller and Jay Papasan have hit a home run for me. I have read enough books on success and growth to know that in order to make a book stand out and be read there may need to be a premise or principle so different to entice a read to pick it up an finish it. Their's is the number "One."
While I have read many books on goal setting and picking priorities, this one some how stood out as I flipped through the chapters and saw the section "The Lies: They Mislead And Derail Us." Why that struck m ...more
While I have read many books on goal setting and picking priorities, this one some how stood out as I flipped through the chapters and saw the section "The Lies: They Mislead And Derail Us." Why that struck m ...more
Quite interesting book about how we need to set aside time to focus on the one most important thing for our success: "The One Thing".
The author challenges the following six "myths" about work.
1. Everything Matters Equally
2. Multitasking is Good
3. Success Requires a Disciplined Life
4. Willpower is Always on Will-Call
5. A Balanced Life is Required
6. Big is Bad
The book is ok, but I found that a lot of it's content is rehashed material from other books on similar topics. The books is also heavy on ...more
The author challenges the following six "myths" about work.
1. Everything Matters Equally
2. Multitasking is Good
3. Success Requires a Disciplined Life
4. Willpower is Always on Will-Call
5. A Balanced Life is Required
6. Big is Bad
The book is ok, but I found that a lot of it's content is rehashed material from other books on similar topics. The books is also heavy on ...more
This was a decent read on how you can distill your life into "That One Thing" that will get you where you want to go. I thought overall it was a bit lacking in detail and did a lot of hand waving over the finer points of how to improve. A decent read, but there are better books on the topic out there.
Even though I read many iterations of this book, the final edition was a powerful read. If you are like me and lack focus in this chaotic world and long for a break from the distractions at work and home, this book is a lifesaver.
تأخرت في إنهاءه لأنه يتحدث عن أهمية التركيز على الشيء الوحيد وشيئي الوحيد لم يكن القراءة
بأحد المواضيع تكلم عن سلوكيات الناجحين وسهولة تنفيذها لأنها أصبحت عادات ومن المجهد تركهم لها، ولإكتساب العادات نحتاج العمل عليها لمدة ٦٦ يوم تقريبًا بدلا من ٢١ كما هو مشهور، وهذا الفصل حفزني على بدء ٦٦ يوم مختلفة بحياتي اليوم اكملت
١٨ يوم (أخفقت ببعض الالتزامات وأهمها شيئي الوحيد لكني سعيدة بإنجاز القليل منها مثل استبدال تويتر بموقع رواق التعليمي، والحرص على تناول الفاكهة صباحًا،…)
أتمنى أعيد قراءته مع آخرين ...more
بأحد المواضيع تكلم عن سلوكيات الناجحين وسهولة تنفيذها لأنها أصبحت عادات ومن المجهد تركهم لها، ولإكتساب العادات نحتاج العمل عليها لمدة ٦٦ يوم تقريبًا بدلا من ٢١ كما هو مشهور، وهذا الفصل حفزني على بدء ٦٦ يوم مختلفة بحياتي اليوم اكملت
١٨ يوم (أخفقت ببعض الالتزامات وأهمها شيئي الوحيد لكني سعيدة بإنجاز القليل منها مثل استبدال تويتر بموقع رواق التعليمي، والحرص على تناول الفاكهة صباحًا،…)
أتمنى أعيد قراءته مع آخرين ...more
I agree with
Perry: (a goodread's user)
The book's big secret: concentrate on ONE thing at a time.
How does it take 140 pages to get ONE Firm Grasp of ONE concept?
State it ONE Hundred different ways.
حالم بد شد
دیگه از این کتاب ها نمی خونم
Perry: (a goodread's user)
The book's big secret: concentrate on ONE thing at a time.
How does it take 140 pages to get ONE Firm Grasp of ONE concept?
State it ONE Hundred different ways.
حالم بد شد
دیگه از این کتاب ها نمی خونم
Bad writing. Don't waste your time.
The author takes a superficial (deluded, even) take in his case studies to make his point about the "One Thing". He uses Apple, Microsoft and Google for companies that do one thing and does it very well. For anyone who knows the history of these companies knows this is simplistic or outright misleading. There is repeated use of case studies in which the author is obviously ignorant of the industry and the relevant market and technological forces at play These ...more
The author takes a superficial (deluded, even) take in his case studies to make his point about the "One Thing". He uses Apple, Microsoft and Google for companies that do one thing and does it very well. For anyone who knows the history of these companies knows this is simplistic or outright misleading. There is repeated use of case studies in which the author is obviously ignorant of the industry and the relevant market and technological forces at play These ...more
Great book on focus and the myth of the benefit of multi-tasking.
Some take-aways:
"When you argue for your limitations, you get to keep them."
"The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook." Willam James
The highly productive person's daily energy plan:
Meditate and pray for spiritual energy.
Eat right. Exercise and sleep sufficiently.
Big lives ride the powerful wave of chain reactions and are built sequentially.
Jerry Seinfeld: The secret to comedy is writing one joke per day. ...more
Some take-aways:
"When you argue for your limitations, you get to keep them."
"The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook." Willam James
The highly productive person's daily energy plan:
Meditate and pray for spiritual energy.
Eat right. Exercise and sleep sufficiently.
Big lives ride the powerful wave of chain reactions and are built sequentially.
Jerry Seinfeld: The secret to comedy is writing one joke per day. ...more
One of the authors, Gary Keller, was in my hometown of Orlando, Florida on April 22nd. I also had the privilege of having a quick overview back in February, with both authors, Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. I began the book after the first preview in February. Great read - fun with stories to drive home the data. Liked the quick chapters, as with business focused books, too much at a time simply overwhelms my ability to process the good stuff. I visited the website, the1thing.com, and many of the
...more
This is the best book i have read all year hands down. It really is the one thing that will make you focus and put in front of you the most important one thing. This is one of the books that you keep nearby at all times.
Block an hour each week to review your annual and monthly goals.
First, ask what needs to happen that month for you to be on target for your annual goals. Then ask what must happen that week to be on course for your monthly goals.
You’re essentially asking, “ Based on where I am right now, what’s the ONE Thing I need to do this week to stay on track for my monthly goal and for my monthly goal to be on track for my annual goal?”
------
Plan it with purpose , focus and aim at it ...
Your one thing, ...more
First, ask what needs to happen that month for you to be on target for your annual goals. Then ask what must happen that week to be on course for your monthly goals.
You’re essentially asking, “ Based on where I am right now, what’s the ONE Thing I need to do this week to stay on track for my monthly goal and for my monthly goal to be on track for my annual goal?”
------
Plan it with purpose , focus and aim at it ...
Your one thing, ...more
The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller
“The ONE Thing" is a very sound book on how to be more productive. Mr. Keller of Keller Williams Realty fame provides the public with a very accessible pragmatic book on how make better use of your time and hence more productive. This useful 240-page is broken out into three main parts: 1. The Lies: They Mislead and Derail Us, 2. The Truth: The Simple Path to Productivity, and 3. Extraordinary Results: Unlock ...more
“The ONE Thing" is a very sound book on how to be more productive. Mr. Keller of Keller Williams Realty fame provides the public with a very accessible pragmatic book on how make better use of your time and hence more productive. This useful 240-page is broken out into three main parts: 1. The Lies: They Mislead and Derail Us, 2. The Truth: The Simple Path to Productivity, and 3. Extraordinary Results: Unlock ...more
Love this book and it's help in getting people focused. Totally loved the part about how much time you need to dedicate to become the expert on your One Thing. The subject of the book got a little repetitive but the message was a powerful one. If there is anyone out there with focus issues this book is perfect for you.
Peace and Love,
Rob @ http://authorstalkaboutit.com
Peace and Love,
Rob @ http://authorstalkaboutit.com
This book was life changing. The message is to do as little as possible and achieve as much as possible. That doesn't mean be lazy. It means figure out the most powerful things you can do. Things that will make everything else easier or unnecessary. It's like a domino effect. You push the first small domino, and it starts a chain reaction with huge results. I can't even begin to describe this book because there are so many important stories and details that you just have to read to appreciate. Y
...more
The key message of this book is simple yet very powerful. Focus on the one and the most important thing, and everything else will fall into place. Throughout the book, the author preaches the importance of focus and that we need to prioritize on the most important thing, for our personal, spiritual, professional and work life. The book contains a few powerful ideas. Here are the ones that have the biggest impression on me:
- The "Domino Effect", how one tile can knock off the next tile of a large ...more
- The "Domino Effect", how one tile can knock off the next tile of a large ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nook books: August 5, 2016 | 1 | 2 | Aug 05, 2016 08:14PM | |
| Goodreads Librari...: Title issue | 3 | 13 | Jun 24, 2016 12:30PM | |
| Business-Related ...: * Book # 7 The One Thing | 3 | 23 | Apr 11, 2015 04:26PM | |
| 12 Books - Author...: The ONE Thing - October 2013 | 27 | 71 | Nov 04, 2013 08:50AM |
Professionally, Gary’s ONE Thing is teaching. He excelled as a real estate salesperson by teaching clients how to make great buying and selling decisions. As a real estate sales manager, he recruited agents through training and helped them build careers the same way. As co-founder and chairman of the board, he built Keller Williams Realty International from a single office in Austin, Texas, to one
...more
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“Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls-- family, health, friends, integrity-- are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered.”
—
42 likes
“Success demands singleness of purpose.
You need to be doing fewer things for more effect instead of doing more things with side effects.
It is those who concentrate on but one thing at a time who advance in this world.
Passion for something leads to disproportionate time practicing or working at it. That time spent eventually translates to skill, and when skill improves, results improve. Better results generally lead to more enjoyment, and more passion and more time is invested. It can be a virtuous cycle all the way to extraordinary results.
The ONE Thing shows up time and again in the lives of the successful because it’s a fundamental truth.
More than anything else, expertise tracks with hours invested.
The pursuit of mastery bears gifts.
When people look back on their lives, it is the things they have not done that generate the greatest regret...People’s actions may be troublesome initially; it is their inactions that plague them most with long-term feelings of regret.
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.”
—
24 likes
More quotes…
You need to be doing fewer things for more effect instead of doing more things with side effects.
It is those who concentrate on but one thing at a time who advance in this world.
Passion for something leads to disproportionate time practicing or working at it. That time spent eventually translates to skill, and when skill improves, results improve. Better results generally lead to more enjoyment, and more passion and more time is invested. It can be a virtuous cycle all the way to extraordinary results.
The ONE Thing shows up time and again in the lives of the successful because it’s a fundamental truth.
More than anything else, expertise tracks with hours invested.
The pursuit of mastery bears gifts.
When people look back on their lives, it is the things they have not done that generate the greatest regret...People’s actions may be troublesome initially; it is their inactions that plague them most with long-term feelings of regret.
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.”
http://parsspadana.com/
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