Why Everyone Needs a 'One Thing' Daily

You wake up with a mental list of 20 things you need to do. By the end of the day, you've done a lot of them, but you're not sure if you did the right ones.

You were busy. You checked off tasks. But did you actually make progress on what matters?

Most people try to do everything. They have long to-do lists. They try to accomplish as much as possible. They stay busy all day.

But here's what I've learned: being busy and making progress are not the same thing.

There's a better way. It's called the "One Thing" approach. And it can change how productive you are.

What the One Thing Approach Is

The One Thing approach is simple: every day, identify the one thing that, if you get it done, will make everything else easier or unnecessary.

Then do that one thing. Give it your full attention. Make it your priority.

Everything else can wait. Or it can be done later. But that one thing gets done first, and it gets your best effort.

Why This Works Better Than a Long To-Do List

When you have a long to-do list, everything feels important. You don't know where to start. You do easy things first to build momentum, but you never get to the hard, important things.

But when you focus on one thing, you know exactly what to do. You don't have to decide. You just start.

And when you finish that one thing, you've made real progress. You've accomplished something that matters. Everything else feels easier.

How to Find Your One Thing

Finding your one thing isn't always obvious. Here's how to figure it out:

Ask yourself: "What's the one thing I need to do today that would make everything else easier or unnecessary?"

Maybe it's finishing a project that's been hanging over your head. Maybe it's having a difficult conversation you've been avoiding. Maybe it's starting something you've been putting off.

It's usually the thing you're dreading. The thing you keep putting off. The thing that would make the biggest difference if you did it.

That's your one thing.

Do It First

Once you've identified your one thing, do it first thing in the morning. Before you check email. Before you respond to messages. Before you do anything else.

When you have the most energy and focus, work on the most important thing. Give it your best effort.

Don't wait until you've done all the easy stuff. Don't save it for when you have more time. Do it first.

What Happens When You Do This

When you do your one thing first, something interesting happens:

You make real progress. You're not just staying busy. You're accomplishing something that actually matters.

The rest of your day feels easier. The hardest part is done. Everything else feels manageable.

You feel more accomplished. You've done something important. You can relax a little because you know you've made progress.

You build momentum. When you accomplish something important, you feel more capable. You're more likely to keep going.

Making This Work for You

The One Thing approach is simple, but it's not always easy. Here's how to make it work:

Be honest about what matters. Your one thing should be something that actually makes a difference, not just something that's easy to check off.

Protect time for it. Block out time in your morning for your one thing. Don't let other things interrupt it.

Start small if you need to. If your one thing feels too big, break it into smaller pieces. Just start. Work on it for 25 minutes. Then you can take a break.

Don't overthink it. Pick one thing. Do it. Don't spend too much time deciding. Just pick something and start.

The Real Secret

The secret to the One Thing approach isn't about doing less. It's about doing what matters most.

When you focus on one important thing, you make real progress. You accomplish something that actually moves you forward.

And that's more valuable than checking off 20 unimportant things.

What This Means for You

You don't have to do everything. You just need to do the one thing that matters most.

Try it tomorrow. Before you do anything else, identify your one thing. Then do it first.

See how it feels. Notice if you make more progress, if you feel more accomplished, if your day feels easier.

You might be surprised by how much more productive you are when you focus on one thing instead of trying to do everything.

Try it this week. Just one thing, first thing. See what happens.

Your future self will thank you.