The ONE Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan - Book review

The ONE Thing

The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results

By: Gary Keller, Jay Papasan

Published: April 1, 2013
Format:Hardcover, 240 pages
ISBN-10: 1885167776
ISBN-13: 978-1885167774
Publisher: Bard Press











"Where I'd had huge success, I had narrowed my concentration to one thing,and where my success varied, my focus has too. And the light came on", write chairman of the board and cofounder of Keller Williams Realty, Inc., Gary Keller; and Vice President of Publishing at Keller Williams Realty, Inc., Jay Papasan, in their inspirational and life transforming book The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results. The authors describe how achieving real success, and reaching your goals, requires focusing on the one thing that matters the most in your career, work, or life.

Gary Keller (photo left) and Jay Papasan recognize that in today's fast paced and hectic business environment, people are stretched to the limit. Overworked and seemingly unable to make any one thing a priority, the end result is that very little gets done, goals are not met, and performance fails to meet expectations. To counter these relentless pressures to do more, and to chase an every expanding number of priorities, the authors present the alternative concept of going small. In that sense, the person focuses on the most critical task and goal, and set aside those other less important demands. The result is that more is accomplished through selective focus than by attempting to reach many goals at once.

Jay Papasan (photo left) and Gary Keller understand that by focusing time and energy on the one critical thing, that time, energy, and resources are used more effectively and efficiently. At the same time, the authors present the domino concept of how a smaller domino can knock down an even larger domino, so too can a person create the potential to utilize this force multiplier analogy in all of their tasks.

he authors guide people through the core principles of the book from the planning, to the time blocking, to the execution of The ONE Thing. The authors divide the book into three overall sections that focus on reclaiming control over a person's time, work, and life. The three parts are as follows:

* The Lies: How they mislead and derail us
* The truth: The simple path to productivity
* Extraordinary results: Unlocking the possibilities within you

For me, the power of the book is how Gary Keller and Jay Papasan combine a strong theoretical and philosophical case for pursuing The ONE Thing, with the practical exercises and techniques to put the theory into practice. Unlike many books on time management and achieving goals, this book offers more than simple suggestions. Instead, the authors present a comprehensive life changing perspective that transforms the way a person looks at their time, their goals, and their real priorities. Saving time means little if nothing is accomplished during that time, and this book returns that time to the person in the form of real achievement.

The authors also acknowledge that for many employees, other priorities may be handed to them, but instead of losing focus, the book teaches how to overcome those temporary time users. The authors are open about the challenges faced by people, both in their work and their personal lives, but the commitments and focus presented in the book transform those challenges into temporary events.

I highly recommend the performance building and real results oriented book The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, to anyone seeking a refreshing and clear vision for taking back their time, priorities, and lives with a practical set of techniques for personal and professional achievement. This book will make the idea of going small a more viable option than the false belief that person must somehow do it all.