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StrengthsFinder 2.0 author Tom Rath on why the hunt for purpose makes people anxious, and the questions he asks instead. His new book is named after it: What's the Point? You've been told to find your purpose since high school. You're still waiting for it to show up. The word is the problem. Most of us hear it and tense up, as if purpose has to descend from the heavens on a sunny day every ten years. Tom's books have sold more than 10 million copies. Five months before his newest book launched, he called his publisher and dropped its working title, Purpose Unlocked, worried readers would be too intimidated to read a book called Purpose. At 15, Tom was diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic condition. His life expectancy was about 40. So he set out to pack a whole career and a whole family into those years, in case he didn't get any overtime. At 40, he realized about 90% of what he'd been doing was trying to live up to other people's expectations. He's convinced most people reach the end of their careers without ever seeing the work they'd have been best at. In this episode, you'll learn: How to make purpose practical enough to use every day Why 30 minutes on strangers' emails is 30 minutes less with your kids The patient photo that made radiologists more thorough Why your kids should see 50 jobs before picking one A miserable job can be worse for you than no job at all What to try before you quit a job you hate Chapters: [00:00] What’s the Point of Your Work? [04:23] The Question That Changes Your Day [11:15] Define Success by Contribution, Not Comparison [15:59] The Myth of One Big Purpose [18:21] Stop Letting Kids Choose Careers by Default [26:59] 3 Ways to Fix a Job You Hate [33:28] Challenge: Ask “What’s the Point?” Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • What’s the Point? by Tom Rath • How Full Is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton • StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath • Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

How to simplify your busy life before setting new goals. You raised your hand for a committee years ago, and now it’s just draining time and energy every week. It’s out of alignment - and it’s almost goal-setting season. That work project that seemed like a great idea at the time is still eating your week, and nothing new fits. Before you add another goal to the list, you have to pause and find the space for it. On August 1st, Jay Papasan left Keller Williams after almost 26 years, and he’s still in what he calls a season of addition by subtraction. Are you living your own definition of success, or someone else’s? If you’re a doer, it’s easy to keep doing and never look up to check your direction. Make some space and you’ll feel lighter, Jay promises, even before you know what’s coming into it. In this episode, you’ll learn: The 5 questions Jay uses to free up time for his ONE Thing Why chasing a resume line is holding you back What your calendar can say about your true values How to know if you’ve set the wrong goal How subtraction can create more room for meaningful work Chapters: (00:00) Leaving Keller Williams After Almost 26 Years (06:26) Whose Definition of Success Are You Living? (12:14) 5 Questions to Decide What to Subtract (21:10) What’s Changing at The ONE Thing Links & Tools from This Episode: • Goal Setting Retreat and ONE Thing Summit • Changes to The ONE Thing services • Free Resources

Winners never quit. Clear the inbox. Outwork everyone. You've followed rules like these for years without checking them. Charlie Munger kept a latticework of mental models so he'd make better decisions. Jay Papasan keeps his own in a notes document he carries around. About 88 entries so far, written down so he's less likely to keep repeating the same mistakes. You're most likely to hurt yourself, Jay warns, when you're anchored to a truth that may not be true. So he puts fifteen of his own on the table, then one he's abandoned. He expects you to disagree with a few. The ones that make you angry, he says, are probably the ones you need to think about. Until you learn the lesson, life keeps teaching it. In this episode, you'll learn: Why winners actually DO quit Why inbox zero is one of the least productive things you can do What you really give up when you lean on AI for everything Why a christmas bonus disappears so quickly How to avoid the #1 worst financial habit How to build your own list of mental models from mistakes Chapters: [00:00] 15 Hills I’m Willing to Die On [03:56] Build Careers, Not Just Jobs [12:43] Play Up and Grow Faster [16:28] Winners Quit Strategically [22:53] The Money Rules That Matter [30:46] Hustle Culture and Inbox Zero [38:47] Your Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • Jay’s interview with Oliver Burkeman • Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

You work all day and your results still swing month to month. One month you're unstoppable, the next the pipeline is empty and you can't understand why. Jordan Freed says your business has a first down: one repeatable action that makes everything after it predictable, and most of us have never named ours. In this episode, Jay sits down with Jordan Freed - head coach at The ONE Thing and Jay's own former coach. He says he has never coached a real estate professional who hit their listing number every single month and missed the rest of their goals. Just in time for football season, Jay and Jordan break a business down into first downs, first dominoes, and false starts. Jordan's clients are ambitious, and the ambition trips them: they rush from one thing to the next and nothing gets completed. Jay has watched the same people run hot until they burn out, then swing back the other way. Most people never stay consistent long enough to see the other side. Jordan describes it: home to the kids at 5:00 with everything done and the evening already mapped out. In this episode, you'll learn: How to break your business down into something predictable Why your first domino is usually smaller than the action you think you need How false starts create distraction and inconsistency Why ambitious people tend to rush past the real starting point How long-term consistency creates breakthroughs Why predictable success does not have to come at the expense of your health, family, or relationships Chapters:  (00:00) Why Your Business & Life Feel Unpredictable (02:19) How Tom Brady Made History (and what we can learn from it) (08:00) Guesswork Is an Invitation to Distraction (14:21) It Just Takes Longer Than You Think… (18:26) When You’ll Finally See Progress (22:46) How to Truly Be “Done” After Work (26:52) Jordan's 90-Day Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • Jordan Freed’s Website • Connect with Jordan on LinkedIn • Free Resources Produced by NOVA

You know what you should be doing every day. But most days you find a reason to make them tomorrow. Then the year ends looking exactly like the last one. Motivation was never going to carry you through work this boring. The people who show up every day set it up so that skipping costs them something. Jay Papasan edited Mia Hamm's book at HarperCollins. The story that stuck with him had nothing to do with the World Cup. It was wind sprints alone in a park in the off-season heat, and the note her coach left under her windshield wiper. Being number one in your market gets built the same way, out of a few thousand hours nobody sees, and you are wired to avoid every one of them. Willpower runs out long before the work does. Jay has watched three plain strategies carry people through the hours everyone else skips. You only need one. In this episode, you'll learn: Three ways to keep doing boring work after motivation and willpower run out Who else pays when you let yourself off the hook Why the best sales scoreboards track activities, not just sales The goal-setting chain from five years out down to what you do today The first domino: the action that has to happen before the one you keep skipping Which of Gretchen Rubin's four tendencies explains how you respond to expectations Chapters: (00:00) What Mia Hamm's Coach Caught Her Doing Alone (02:15) Why You'd Rather Be Shocked Than Sit Still (04:56) Strategy #1: Make It Bigger Than Yourself (08:09) Who Else Pays When You Skip the Work? (10:15) Strategy #2: Think in Five Years, Act This Week (13:05) The Step Before the Step You Keep Skipping (17:17) Strategy #3: Accountability Without a Boss (20:20) Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, or Rebel? (24:55) Very Few People Will Do This Every Day Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • Chris Dixon's episode about using the 411 • The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin • Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

If you've ever taken a new job or a new title and kept feeling like the old you, Shannon Anderson-Finch has a name for it: the gap between a change and a transition. Most people try to skip it. Shannon spent 15 years at Google and Deloitte, where she was named Coach of the Year, before starting her own practice. She now coaches new VPs at a large retailer and a first-time hospital president through that same gap. Her model runs in the wrong order: an ending, then a messy middle where you're neither here nor there, and only then a beginning. The middle is where she watches high achievers get impatient, and it's where she does most of her coaching. Jay tells a story in here about the morning his own affirmation changed one word on its own, and it gave Shannon goosebumps. *** In this episode, you’ll learn: -How to tell the difference between a minor change and a major transition -Why big transitions often require an identity shift -How to navigate the messy middle without rushing through it -Why strengths, feedback, and core values can help you grow into a new role -How experimenting with a new identity can make it start to feel natural Chapters: [00:00] When Change Requires a New Identity [08:38] The End Comes Before the Beginning [12:00] The Strengths That Move With You [19:24] Don’t Rush the Messy Middle [27:09] Becoming Who the New Role Requires [34:59] The Challenge: Try On Your New Identity Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • Anderson Finch Coaching • Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

We spend a lot of energy trying to make life faster, easier, and more convenient. But what might we lose when we remove too much of the hard? Jay breaks down the “fun scale,” from Type One Fun that feels good in the moment to Type Two Fun that feels difficult while you’re doing it but becomes meaningful in retrospect. Then there’s Type Three Fun: hard experiences that never seem worth it. The difference often comes down to three things: choice, completion, and connection. Did you choose the challenge? Can you see a finish line? Is the struggle connected to something meaningful? Jay also explores what calculators, GPS, AI, and other conveniences can quietly take away when we stop exercising skills ourselves, and why leaders should help their teams “do hard better” instead of trying to remove every challenge. Know someone who may find this episode helpful? Share it with them: https://the1thing.com/podcast-episode/type-2-work-and-the-hidden-cost-of-convenience *** In this episode, you’ll learn: -What Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 experiences look like -Why some hard experiences become your most meaningful memories -How choice, completion, and connection help you decide if hard work is worth it -Why making everything easier can weaken skills you still need -How to help yourself and your team “do hard better” Chapters:  [00:00] Why We Need More Type 2 Experiences [03:51] What Convenience Is Costing Us [06:43] The 3 Tests for Hard Things [07:29] Why Hard Needs a Finish Line [11:16] How to Do Hard Better [14:48] The Challenge: Test One Hard Thing Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • Oliver Burkeman and his previous conversation with Jay • Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

Mallory Rowan was building a successful powerlifting apparel company, competing at a high level, and finishing university when her body finally forced her to stop. A routine doctor’s visit revealed that she had been living with pneumonia, but the warning signs had appeared long before: irritability, emotional exhaustion, unexplained health issues, and the growing feeling that she was no longer herself. Mallory joins Jay to share what it took to recover, ask for support, and separate her identity from her work. She explains how burnout changed the way she builds businesses, from creating stronger boundaries to designing for her personality, interests, and changing seasons of life. They also explore Mallory’s “toddler test” for uncovering what you truly want, why financial security can give entrepreneurs more freedom to take meaningful risks, and how expanding your options can protect both your health and your ambition. Know someone who may find this episode helpful? Share it with them: https://the1thing.com/podcast-episode/building-a-burnout-proof-business-with-mallory-rowan/ *** In this episode, you’ll learn:- How to recognize the emotional and physical signs of burnout- Why separating your identity from your work matters- How to design a business around your strengths and season of life- How the “toddler test” reveals what you actually want- Why financial security creates more freedom to take meaningful risks Chapters: [00:00] The Burnout Wake-Up Call [05:37] When Pushing Through Stops Working [13:38] You Are More Than Your Work [19:18] What Do You Really Want? [25:54] Making Work Optional [33:12] Sustainable Ambition [37:07] The Challenge: Find Six Solutions Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • Check out FundClub here • Mallory Rowan’s Website • Follow Mallory Rowan on Instagram • Free Resources Produced by NOVA

Simone Stolzoff, author of How to Not Know, joins Jay to explore why our search for certainty often leads us into three traps: comfort, hubris, and control. They discuss how replacing those instincts with growth, humility, and acceptance can help us move forward without having every answer. Simone shares practical ways to build your tolerance for uncertainty, including introducing small doses of randomness into your routine, looking to your past for evidence that you can handle difficult situations, and trusting your future self to solve future problems. They also break down four questions that can bring clarity during a crisis: What is really happening? What are the trade-offs? What are your priorities? What is the next right action? Know someone who may find this episode helpful? Share it with them: https://the1thing.com/podcast-episode/how-not-to-know-the-science-of-uncertainty-with-simone-stolzoff/ *** We talk about: [00:00] Why Uncertainty Makes Us So Uncomfortable [01:34] The Three Traps of Certainty [06:53] How to Get Better at Not Knowing [11:36] What Happens When You Randomize Your Life [20:58] Four Questions for Navigating a Crisis [34:06] Let Go of the Life You Didn’t Choose [38:52] The Challenge: Choose Who You Want to Become Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • How to Not Know by Simone Stolzoff • The Good Enough Job by Simone Stolzoff • Follow  Simone Stolzoff on Instagram: @thepizza_bagel • Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

There is no such thing as the perfect productivity system. No matter how optimized your day is, or how many AI agents you have running 24/7, the harsh reality is that you’ll never truly be caught up. And that’s good news. Oliver Burkeman wrote The Guardian's psychology column "This Column Will Change Your Life" for years before his four books on time and ambition. Four Thousand Weeks was an instant New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, and his follow-up, Meditations for Mortals, is one of Jay's favorite reads of the last two years. Jay and Oliver take apart the fantasy underneath every productivity system: the day you're finally on top of everything. The more you optimize, the more work floods in to fill the space. It's the same reason widening a freeway attracts more cars. Burkeman, a self-described "old man yells at cloud" AI skeptic, has watched people feel guilty at family dinner because their AI agents are sitting idle. And the skill he says this all comes down to is one nobody teaches: "the tolerance of the anxiety of letting all the other things go undone for now." In this episode, you'll learn: - What to do if you're an anxious, insecure overachiever - Why it's so uncomfortable to do nothing - Whether to-do lists actually help - Why you'll have to say no to things you genuinely want - How much of your day you should plan in advance Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:02) Waiting for Real Life to Start (12:48) The Jevons Paradox (17:33) The Discomfort of Doing Nothing (20:57) The Productivity Paradox (30:03) Jay vs. Oliver on Time Blocking (33:58) Time Surfing: A Day With No Plan (39:19) Just Actually Do It Know someone who may find this episode helpful? Share it with them: https://the1thing.com/podcast-episode/youll-never-get-on-top-of-everything-and-thats-okay-with-oliver-burkeman/ *** Links & Resources: • Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman • Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman • Follow Oliver Burkeman on X • Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

Look at your bookshelf. Business books, biographies, the ones everyone said you had to read. Now be honest: how many did you finish? Jay Papasan should be the last person making this case. He's spent 30 years in business books - first as an editor at HarperCollins, then as coauthor of multiple award winning & bestselling nonfiction books. And this week he's telling you to put the business books down and pick up a novel. Because somewhere between Gordon Gekko and hustle culture, business people decided that serious people read serious books - and quietly abandoned the oldest learning technology humans have. The research says that decision is costing you: focus, empathy, sleep, vocabulary, maybe even years of your life. And the fix can take fifteen minutes a night. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why the business books on most shelves have never actually been read - Why a 12-year Yale study found readers 20% less likely to die - How fiction rebuilds an attention span that's shrunk from three minutes to one - How fiction trains the empathy that tells you what your customer will object to - Which sci-fi novel Gary Keller called the best business book he'd read in ten years - Why you never owe a book more than 50 pages (0:00) Why Business People Stopped Reading Fiction (2:54) The Best-Selling Business Books Are Secretly Fiction (5:51) What Reading Does to Your Lifespan and Focus (10:08) Fiction Improves Your Empathy (13:45) How to Read 50 Books a Year (18:52) Five Sci-Fi Gateways (22:41) Historical Fiction (23:51) Easy Reading (26:49) The Challenge: One Book, 50 Pages The 10 books: Sci-fi - Dark Matter (Blake Crouch), The Martian and Project Hail Mary (Andy Weir), Ready Player One (Ernest Cline), Wool (Hugh Howey) Historical fiction -  Gates of Fire (Steven Pressfield), The Alice Network (Kate Quinn) Great, easy-reading fiction - For Whom the Bell Tolls (Ernest Hemingway), Down River (John Hart), Beartown (Fredrik Backman) Know someone who may find this episode helpful? Share it with them: https://the1thing.com/podcast-episode/put-down-the-business-book-read-fiction-instead/

The version of success you’ve been sold is really just stress with better branding. Brad Stulberg has spent 20 years researching and reporting on the top 1% in their field - Olympians, powerlifters, bestselling authors - and has written 5 books on what he’s learned, including Peak Performance and his newest, The Way of Excellence. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why work-life balance fails - Whether your obsession with work is fueling you or burning you out - Why hitting a goal you've chased for years can leave you empty - Why positive self-talk doesn't actually work - Why you can't feel fear and curiosity at the same time - How elite performers rest without feeling guilty Know someone who may find this episode helpful? Share it with them: https://the1thing.com/podcast-episode/the-science-of-excellence-how-to-master-your-craft-passion-vs-obsession-the-myth-of-balance-and-more-w-brad-stulberg/ *** Chapters: [00:00] Intro [01:47] What Actually Counts as Excellence? [03:45] The Two Ingredients for Meaningful Work [07:03] The Science of The Last Percent [10:15] Why Fear and Curiosity Can't Coexist [15:10] Self-Soothing Doesn’t Work. This Does. [21:55] Good Passion vs. Obsessive Passion [24:55] Why Does Winning Feel So Empty? [28:03] Is An Identity Crisis Inevitable? [35:02] The Importance of Recovery [41:45] The Value of Inefficiency [47:03] Your Challenge This Week Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • Brad Stulberg  • Follow Brad Stulberg on X  • The Way of Excellence by Brad Stulberg • Free Resources

Jay Papasan talks with Steve Kamb, founder of Nerd Fitness and author of How to Try Again, about what it takes to change course. Steve shares his PACT framework: Pause, Accept, Change, and Try, and explains why real change often feels messy before it feels clear. Together, Jay and Steve explore identity shifts, false expectations, the myth of “normal,” and how small experiments can help you move toward a life that fits the season you’re actually in. Know someone who may find this episode helpful? Share it with them: https://the1thing.com/podcast-episode/how-to-reinvent-yourself-a-4-step-framework-for-starting-over/ *** We talk about: [00:00] Starting Over & Trying Again [04:51] Steve’s 4 Step Framework [12:10] There Is No Normal [19:52] Change is Uncomfortable [24:59] Experiment Your Way Out [42:43] Force Yourself to Be Mid Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • How to Try Again by Steve Kamb • Nerd Fitness • Steve Kamb • Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

Get The Someday Letter Worksheet: https://linkly.link/2ld7z Most of us are comfortable setting annual goals. But what happens when you look 10 years into the future and let yourself dream without boundaries? In this episode, Jay Papasan shares one of the most powerful tools used in The ONE Thing coaching program: the Someday Letter. It’s a simple but deeply clarifying exercise that asks you to write a letter to yourself from the future, describing the life, work, relationships, values, and adventures you want to create. Jay opens up about his own resistance to the exercise, why it took him 18 months to finally do it, and the surprising clarity he found on the other side. He explains how the Someday Letter helps you work backward from a future vision, make better decisions in the present, and stop chasing short-term gains that don’t lead where you actually want to go. Know someone who may find this episode helpful? Share it with them: https://the1thing.com/podcast-episode/a-deep-dive-on-our-most-impactful-coaching-tool/ *** We talk about: [00:00] Why This Tool is So Powerful [3:35] How to Write Your Someday Letter [16:10] The ONE Thing Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • The Someday Letter Workbook • Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

High achievers know the gap well: the space between where you are and where you want to be. It can drive growth, but it can also become a source of fear, avoidance, and self-judgment. In this episode, Jay talks with five-time entrepreneur and executive coach Hannah Soto about the three ways business owners and high achievers often relate to the gap. They chase it, believing fulfillment lives on the other side. They hide from it by staying busy, over-planning, or avoiding the next scary step. Or they use it as proof they aren’t enough. Hannah shares how her own experience walking the Camino de Santiago changed her relationship with suffering, resilience, and becoming. Together, she and Jay explore how to stop treating the gap like a problem to fix and start seeing it as evidence of a compelling vision. *** We talk about: [00:00] What is The Gap? [04:46] Stop Chasing Fulfillment Like a Finish Line [15:09] Overcoming Avoidance [23:29] Can Coaches Help? [27:13] Self-Doubt And Judgement [38:27] The ONE Thing Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • Hannah Soto’s Website • Hannah Soto’s Instagram • Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

You already know what to do. So why is it so hard to do it consistently? In this episode, Jay Papasan breaks down three patterns that keep entrepreneurs and high achievers trapped in the gap between knowing and doing. First, we often think we’re clear when we’re really being general. Second, we chase new information instead of mastering the system we already have. Third, we let the 80% masquerade as the 20%, allowing urgency, inboxes, DMs, and other distractions to pull us away from the work that matters most. Jay also explores why these patterns persist. Often, they are serving us in the short term, protecting us from discomfort, failure, disappointment, or uncomfortable emotions. But what protects us today can hold us back tomorrow. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] The Gap Between Knowing and Doing [02:40] Why You’re Not as Clear as You Think [9:10] Stop Chasing the Shiny New System [15:41] When the 80% Pretends to Be the 20% [21:27] Why These Patterns Keep Repeating [25:11] The Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System The First Domino training program Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

You know what to do. You start strong. You have the system, the motivation, and the goal. Then, a few months later, you’re right back where you started. What happened? In this episode, Jay Papasan breaks down one of the biggest reasons high achievers struggle with consistency: they try to go it alone. The solution is social accountability. Not someone forcing you to follow through, but choosing to be accountable to your goals by bringing the right people into your process. Jay shares three simple ways to tap into the power of “we”: doing it in public, doing it with others, and doing it around others. From public progress reports to gym buddies, coworking sessions, and body doubling, each strategy gives you a different way to create positive pressure and follow through when motivation fades. Challenge of the Week: Pick your ONE Thing for the week. Reach out to one person and tell them what you’re committing to. Ask them to check in with you on Saturday and ask how it went. That simple progress report could be the accountability you need to stay consistent. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Why You Can’t Stay Consistent [02:00] Ditching the Lone Wolf Mentality [03:29]  Building in Public [09:02] The Gym Buddy Effect [15:44] Social Pressure is A Good Thing [23:29] Your Weekly Challenge  Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System: https://the1thing.com/os Dr. Gail Matthews’ goal-setting research at Dominican University: https://scholar.dominican.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=psychology-faculty-conference-presentations Check Out The Episode with Donald Miller Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHp-XeObSLA  Free Resources: https://the1thing.com/free-resources-v2 Produced by NOVA 

Resilience is often treated like a personality trait. You either have it or you don’t. But Valorie Burton sees it differently: Resilience is a personal system you can build before life demands it from you. In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Valorie Burton, CEO of the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute and author of Rules of Resilience, to unpack what it really takes to bounce back. They talk about the three parts of resilience: adaptive skills, protective resources, and preventive choices. They also dig into why leaders need to expect the unexpected, close their growth gaps, control the controllable, and choose thoughts that strengthen them. This conversation is a practical reminder that challenges are not just something to survive. They are opportunities to grow through, learn from, and use to become the person your goals require. Challenge of the Week: Set aside 30 minutes and ask yourself: What is the opportunity in the challenge I’m facing right now? It could be an opportunity to grow in patience, leadership, communication, courage, consistency, or self-trust. Don’t just go through the challenge. Grow through it. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Resilience As A System [05:32] Expect the Unexpected [9:07] Close the Growth Gap Holding You Back [15:32] Control What You Can [25:10] Your Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: Rules of Resilience by Valorie Burton Valorie Burton’s Website Valorie Burton’s Resilience Assessment Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

High performers are often great at building businesses, serving clients, supporting families, and chasing big goals. But there’s one thing they tend to neglect: friendship. In this episode, Jay shares the story of a lonely night in a Nashville hotel room that became a wake-up call. He realized he had been leaning on too few people and needed to intentionally rebuild his support system. With the help of his coach, Jay began “re-engineering his village” by identifying the qualities he wanted in close friends, reaching out more often, and saying yes to the right opportunities. That journey eventually led him to a hiking trail in rural Japan with three friends, where unstructured time, meaningful conversations, and shared adventure helped create deeper bonds. If you’ve been feeling alone while carrying big responsibilities, this episode is a reminder: friendship does not happen by accident. It can be built with purpose. Challenge of the Week: Identify the three to five qualities you want in the friendships you’re building. Get clear on what you’re looking for, then start saying yes to those people, reaching out, and creating space for deeper connection. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] The Loneliness Epidemic in Business [02:52] Why High Performers Feel Alone [06:29] How Jay Fast-Tracked Friendship [12:20] The Science of Friendship [15:19] The Truth About How to Make New Friends [21:30] Your Weekly Challenge  Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Jeffrey Hall’s friendship research Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

Have you ever walked away from a conversation wishing you could go back and say it differently? According to Phil Jones, that doesn’t mean you have a communication problem. You may have a moment problem. Phil, author of the bestselling book Exactly What to Say, joins Jay to talk about the word choices, principles, and preparation that help people show up better in high-stakes conversations. He shares how a simple body of work grew into a global brand, why so many people give up on their greatest hit too early, and how boredom can become a path to deeper mastery. Jay and Phil also unpack the four cornerstones of conversational excellence, including why the worst time to think about what you’re going to say is while you’re saying it. The real challenge is learning to identify your critical conversations, those small moments that have an outsized impact on your results. Challenge of the Week: Identify one critical conversation in your personal life, one as a leader, and one that affects your income. Pick a hyper-specific moment inside each conversation and add more intention to how you show up. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] How Phil Jones Built a Career Around Knowing Exactly What to Say [05:02] How Repeated Questions Revealed Phil’s ONE Thing [08:01] Why People Give Up on Their Greatest Hit Too Early [13:45] Why the People You Serve Keep You Committed [19:14] The Four Cornerstones of Conversational Excellence [30:48] The ONE Thing Challenge  Links & Tools from This Episode: Exactly What to Say by Phil Jones Magic Words by Phil Jones Phil Jones’s Website Free Resources Produced by NOVA

High achievers aren’t held back because they don’t know what to do. The challenge is always consistency. Habits are so powerful because they are automatic - and in this episode, you’ll learn how to harness the power of habit to help you hit your most elusive goals. Today, Jay sits down with Kim Zuroff, Director of Growth and Executive Coach at The ONE Thing, to talk about the art and science of habits. Kim walks through the habit loop of cue, craving, response, and reward, and explains why habits are often a design problem, not a discipline problem. Jay and Kim discuss how distractions like phone notifications and inbox checking can derail your ONE Thing, why tracking your time creates awareness, and how to start small enough that you can keep going even on your worst days. They also explore habit stacking, evening routines, and why the 66-day journey matters when building lasting change. Challenge of the Week: Pick one habit you want to build. Identify the cue, the craving, the response, and the reward. For the best chance of success, attach it to something you already do automatically, such as “After I brew my coffee, I will…” *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: https://the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Why High Achievers Struggle With Consistency [02:59] The Habit Loop Reveals What Drives Behavior [07:45] How Habits Show Up in Coaching [11:03] Why the First Domino Has to Be Small [15:22] How Email Becomes Someone Else’s Agenda [20:37] Better Mornings Begin With Better Evenings [39:12] The ONE Thing Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System: https://the1thing.com/os Kim Zuroff’s previous episode on The ONE Thing Podcast, “Is Your Serial Achievement an Addiction?”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-your-serial-achievement-an-addiction-heres-how-to/id1191482456?i=1000678146322 Free Resources: https://the1thing.com/free-resources-v2 Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at https://www.speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA: https://novapodcasting.com/

Entrepreneurs know they need to create content, build trust, and stay visible. The hard part is knowing what to say, how often to say it, and how to make sure your message actually leads people toward your business. In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Donald Miller, author of StoryBrand, for a practical masterclass on brand building for entrepreneurs. Donald breaks down how to use content to create curiosity, build familiarity, and guide customers toward commitment. He also explains why the strongest brands are built around a specific problem, a clear promise, and a founder or leader who knows how to show up with both empathy and competence. From personal brand strategy to storytelling, positioning, social proof, and video content, this conversation gives business owners a clearer path for becoming known, trusted, and chosen. Challenge of the Week: Own a specific problem. Identify the negative, painful, or annoying thing you want people to call you for, then start saying it clearly. The more specific the problem, the easier it is for customers to understand why they need you. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Your Brand Is Holding You Back [04:01] Avoid the Biggest Mistake Entrepreneurs Make [11:41] Share the Right Stories to Stay Top of Mind [17:22] Build Trust Before You Ask for the Sale [21:49] Use Proof to Make People Feel Like They Know You [28:45] Own the Problem You Want to Solve Links & Tools from This Episode: Donald’s Book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0 Donald Miller’s Website Free Resources Produced by NOVA 

Before The ONE Thing became the bestselling book readers know today, it was a much bigger manuscript, more than 400 pages long. In this episode, Jay Papasan goes back to the final stretch before publication to unpack the hard decisions that shaped the book and made it stronger. Jay shares the lessons behind what got cut, including the idea that low hanging fruit can be a distraction and how maintenance can quietly steal time from the work that matters most. Then he turns to what 13 years of teaching, coaching, and living these principles has taught him since the book came out. He walks through the concepts he would add back today, including core values, the someday letter, taking a bigger view of time with a paper calendar, and the origin story behind the focusing question. Challenge of the Week: Take the biggest project on your plate right now and ask yourself: what is one thing I can subtract to make this simpler, more manageable, and more elegant? Play the subtraction game. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] We Cut 50% of The Book [04:39] Low Hanging Fruit is a Trap [08:56] Maintenance Can Quietly Become a Thief of Productivity [13:59] Thirteen Years Later, Jay Knows What He Would Add Back [18:02] A Bigger View of Time Leads to Better Planning [22:37] The Focusing Question Came From a Need for Real Accountability [28:18] The ONE Thing Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Get the ONE Thing Book Here Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA 

When the world feels heavy, hope can feel fragile, or even out of reach. In this episode, Jay sits down with award-winning behavioral psychologist Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe to unpack what hope really is and why it matters so much in difficult seasons. Dr. Robyne explains that hope is not the same as optimism. Optimism is often tied to a specific outcome, while hope is the steady belief that no matter what happens, we will find a way through. Together, they explore the psychology of hope, the role of agency and environment, and why small daily habits can help us stay grounded when life feels uncertain. They also talk about toxic positivity, the people who hold hope for us when we cannot hold it ourselves, and how leaders can create honest, steady environments in challenging times. Challenge of the Week: Ask someone, “What are you hoping for right now?” Then follow it with, “May I hope with you for that?” *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] A Timely Conversation About Hope [01:08] Hope Is Different From Optimism [12:10] Leading With Honesty in Hard Seasons [15:24] The Four Building Blocks of Hope [22:43] Hope Habits That Still Work on a Bad Day [34:26] The ONE Thing Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Read I Hope So by Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA 

When something bad happens in the world, every business leader has a difficult decision to make - the decision to speak up, or to stay silent. In the past, silence was the safest option - today, that’s no longer the case. In such a chaotic world full of conflict, inequality, and political polarization, it’s never been more important to get this question right. In this episode of The ONE Thing Podcast, Jay Papasan tackles the modern leader's biggest dilemma: The choice to speak up. Whether it's a global crisis, a political movement, or social turmoil, the pressure to "say something" is at an all-time high. To find the answer, Jay sits down with four world-class experts - Donald Miller, Phil M. Jones, Julia Lashay Israel, and Valorie Burton - to build a definitive framework for navigating public conflict carefully and intentionally. This episode is not about telling you what to think. It is about helping you make a wiser decision, one that aligns with your values, your responsibilities, and the impact your voice can have. Challenge of the Week: The next time you feel the urge to immediately post, react, or speak out, pause first and get curious. Ask what else you need to understand before adding your voice. That pause may help you create clarity instead of more noise. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Should Business Owners Speak Up or Stay Silent? [07:05] Julia Lashay’s Framework for Posting With Integrity [11:01] Phil M Jones on Curiosity, Context, and Slowing Down [14:08] Donald Miller on Regret, Responsibility, and Brand Risk [16:21] Valorie Burton on Mission, Empathy, and Adding Clarity [20:56] How this shows up in our lives [26:02] The 6 Question Framework for Deciding When to Speak [36:16] Your Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Watch and Listen to Julia Lashay full episode here Watch and Listen to Phil M Jones full episode here Donald Miller Website Valorie Burton’s Website Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA 

A lot of talented people assume that if they work hard enough, they’ll eventually get noticed. Courtney Johnson says that’s simply not how careers work. In this episode, Jay sits down with Courtney, author of Career Cheat Codes, to unpack the unwritten rules that often separate people who get promoted, hired, and remembered from those who get overlooked. They explore how visibility, relationship-building, and personal branding shape career growth, whether you’re applying for a job, growing a business, or trying to expand your influence inside your company. Courtney shares practical ways to stand out, from sending a thoughtful follow-up note to improving your digital first impression with better lighting, audio, and online presence. She also opens up about how applying The ONE Thing helped her build her platform, land a book deal, and push through imposter syndrome. Challenge of the Week: Get visible in one way that feels a little uncomfortable this week. Post on LinkedIn, share a recent win in your company channel, or raise your hand in a room where you’d normally stay quiet. Pick the one that feels scariest and do it anyway. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] In Corporate, Working Hard Isn’t Enough [05:53] Getting Your Foot in the Door [08:36] What Employers Look for in  [12:58] Do First Impressions Matter? [17:44] Crafting The Perfect Digital First Impression [25:52] She Focused on Her ONE Thing [38:13] The ONE Thing Challenge  Links & Tools from This Episode: Read Career Cheat Codes by Courtney Johnson Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn Follow Courtney Johnson on TikTok Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA 

If you want to achieve real and sustainable success, you don’t need another productivity system - try this instead. In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Director of Training Chris Dixon to unpack one of the most requested teachings in The ONE Thing community: the 411. They explain why to-do lists, project management tools, and reactive planning often leave people busy but not truly productive. Then they walk through how the 411 creates a simple, one-page view of your most important goals by connecting the year, the month, and the week. Jay and Chris also break down the rhythm that makes the 411 work: daily review, weekly reflection, monthly adjustment, and time blocking the actions that matter most. Along the way, they share common mistakes people make, how to avoid turning the 411 into another to-do list, and why simplicity is the key to making this tool stick. If you’ve ever felt clear on your goals but unsure what to do next, this episode gives you a practical way to close that gap. Challenge of the Week: Go download the 411 tool from the1thing.com/resources, then time block 30 minutes at the end of this week to build your first 411. Keep it simple. Start with just one goal for the year, one milestone for the month, and one action for the week. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] This is How Billionaires Set Goals [01:25] Why To-Do Lists DON’T WORK. [10:21] How to Make a 411 [16:09] What Real 411 Progress Looks Like in Practice [22:58] How To Build Rhythms  [32:19] How to Update the 411 Month to Month and Year to Year [37:08] Common Mistakes [39:59] The ONE Thing Weekly Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Free Resources (Including the 411) Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA 

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t your skills, your resources, or even your discipline—but your beliefs? In this conversation, Jay sits down with Nir Eyal to unpack the hidden force behind motivation and persistence. While most people think success comes from knowing what to do, Nir makes a compelling case that the real driver is belief. If you don’t believe the effort will pay off—or that you’re capable of sustaining it—you’ll quit long before results show up. They break down the “motivation triangle” of behavior, benefit, and belief, and explore how limiting beliefs quietly shape your decisions, your relationships, and your ability to follow through. You’ll also learn a practical method to uncover those beliefs and replace them with ones that actually serve you. This episode also tackles a critical question: when should you keep going, and when should you quit? Nir shares a simple three-part framework to help you decide with clarity instead of emotion. If you’ve ever felt stuck, inconsistent, or ready to give up, this conversation will change how you see yourself—and what’s possible. Challenge of the Week: Identify one limiting belief that’s holding you back. Write it down, then ask yourself: “Could the exact opposite be true?” Create a new belief that serves you—and repeat it when things get hard. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Introduction to Nir Eyal and Persistence in Success [05:30] The Motivation Triangle [10:54] How to Identify and Replace Limiting Beliefs [23:55] If You Want to Quit, Ask These 3 Questions [30:16] How Your Brain Filters Reality and Shapes Your Success [42:39] The ONE Thing Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Beyond Belief by Nir Eyal   Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) / The Work by Byron Katie  Grit by Angela Duckworth Research by Gabriele Oettingen on visualization (Mental Contrasting / WOOP)  Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA 

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of the loss of a child and experiences of grief. It may be distressing for some listeners. Please listen with care and take the space you need. Resilience isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build—often in the moments you’d never choose. In this episode, Jay sits down with Julia Lashay to explore how adversity shapes leadership. From losing everything financially during the Great Recession to the unimaginable loss of her son, Julia shares how she found a way forward when life felt impossible. Instead of pushing past pain, she learned to work through it—starting small, giving herself grace, and using simple tools like the 411 to regain momentum. Along the way, she discovered that purpose isn’t fixed. It evolves. And when you reconnect with it, it becomes the fuel that carries you through even the hardest seasons. They also unpack the role of failure, why feedback accelerates growth, and how the people around you can either lift you higher or hold you back. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward, this conversation offers a path—one step at a time.  Challenge of the Week: Start defining your personal mission statement. If that feels overwhelming, begin with your core values. Clarity around what matters most will help guide everything else. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Julia Lashay's Introduction [03:14] Losing Everything and Navigating Personal Tragedy   [10:16] The First Steps to Rebuilding Life [15:38] Embracing Learning Lessons [22:46] Surrounding Yourself with the Right People [29:57] The ONE Thing Weekly Challenge  Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System  Julia Lashay (speaker, coaching, resources) Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA 

When the world feels heavy, many of us fall into the same cycle: doom scrolling, numbing out, or waiting for things to improve In this episode, Jay shares a powerful perspective shift inspired by a lesson from Mr. Rogers: instead of just looking for the helpers, as Mr. Rogers suggests - become one. Rather than waiting for change, we must act. Jay breaks down the science behind action and emotions, including the surprising research of Brené Brown, and outlines his 11 "infinite resources" - 11 ways we can influence change in our life, our relationships, and our world - all without feeling depleted afterwards. The antidote is simple: start giving the very thing you want more of. Challenge of the Week: Identify the emotion or experience that feels most scarce in your life right now - gratitude, encouragement, connection, or something else. Then choose one person and give it to them this week. One small act can create a ripple you may never fully see. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] “Maybe you've heard the story about Mr. Rogers…” Mr. Rodgers Helpers and the Idea Behind the Infinite Resources [09:02] “So number one, love is an infinite resource…” Infinite Resource #1: Love [09:38] “Number one, kindness, so you can offer…” Infinite Resource #2: Kindness [10:15] “ Two creativity. I've written about this, I've talked..” Infinite Resource #3: Creativity [10:52] “Gratitude. Right? Every single day…” Infinite Resource #4: Gratitude [11:42] “Connection, authentic connection feels scarce…” Infinite Resource #5: Connection [12:02] “Curiosity. This is a big one…” Infinite Resource #6: Curiosity [12:41] “Hope when we encourage other people…” Infinite Resource #7: Hope [12:54] “Inspiration. When you inspire others…” Infinite Resource #8: Inspiration [12:58] “Positivity. A positive outlook…” Infinite Resource #9: Positivity [13:01] “Encouragement, when we encourage others…” Infinite Resource #10: Encouragement [13:09] “And finally… forgiveness…” Infinite Resource #11: Forgiveness [13:39] “So there's all of these resources around us that we can tap into..” How To Give Infinite Resources Away [22:53] “So Jay's very unofficial inventory of our infinite resources…” the ONE Thing Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown Jay Shetty Amy Bloom Subsrcibe to Jay Papason’s Newsletter Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA 

Jay sits down with research scientist-turned-entrepreneur David Priemer to do a deep dive into the proven science and psychology of sales. In this conversation, David shares how curiosity - not charisma - became his competitive advantage, and the foundation of his newest business, Cerebral Selling. He breaks down the psychology behind buying decisions and explains why the best sales conversations don’t start with your product. They start with the problem. You’ll hear how David used The ONE Thing to host high-impact executive dinners at Salesforce, turning simple focus questions into powerful masterminds that drove real results. He also unpacks his “PITCH” framework - the storytelling structure behind infomercials - and shows how it applies to premium products, leadership, and everyday conversations. Whether you carry a sales title or not, you are in the business of influence. This episode will help you approach it with more empathy, clarity, and intention. Challenge of the Week: Before your next important conversation, pause and ask yourself: What does this person truly value? Shape your message around that—and see what changes. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] From Research Scientist to Sales Authority [08:14] Turning Curiosity Into Cerebral Selling [09:30] Why The ONE Thing Became Required Reading for Sales Teams [12:40]  How Executive Dinners Became High-ROI Masterminds [13:57] Using the Focusing Question to Unlock Peer Coaching [21:13] The Psychology of Selling the Problem First [23:19]  Breaking Down the PITCH Infomercial Formula [31:52] Applying the PITCH Formula to Premium Enterprise Sales [37:56]  The Power of Selling What People Truly Value Links & Tools from This Episode: To Sell Is Human by Daniel Pink Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive Check out David’s Business Cerebral Selling Sell the Way You Buy by David Priemer David Priemer’s TED Talk: “Why You’re Bad at Buying Stuff” Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA 

If you feel like you have 30 browser tabs open in your brain, you’re not alone. Most business owners don’t have a capacity problem—they have a clarity problem. In this episode, Jay Papasan unpacks the science behind overwhelm, including the Zeigarnik effect and additive bias, and explains why unfinished tasks drain your mental bandwidth. When you try to multitask your way out, you only slow everything down and create more open loops. The solution isn’t better time management. It's a better selection. Jay walks you through how to download all your open loops, apply extreme Pareto thinking, and identify the first domino that deserves your full focus. You’ll learn why extraordinary success is sequential, not simultaneous, and how redefining what “finished” means can free up mental space and build momentum. If you’re tired of chasing inbox zero and still feeling behind, this episode gives you permission to subtract, prioritize, and focus on what truly matters. Challenge of the Week: Download every open loop in your life—personal and professional. Identify your true 20 percent. Choose your ONE Thing for the week, give it extra time, and let the rest wait. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Reframing the Overwhelm: From Myth to Clarity and Boundaries [4:45] The Science Behind Open Loops: Zeigarnik Effect, Additive Bias, and Decision Drift  [9:59] The ONE Thing’s Principle and the Alphabet vs Alternating Test [17:09] Real World Stories: In-N-Out to Daya and Courtney [23:37] Practical Steps: Download, Extreme Pareto and Redefine “Finished”. [30:20] The ONE Thing Weekly Challenge  Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Bluma Zeigarnik (Zeigarnik Effect) Leidy Klotz (Additive Bias Research) Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule) Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA 

Most high performers think they have a productivity problem. They don’t. They have a purpose problem. In this episode, Jay Papasan pulls back the curtain on what The ONE Thing has always been about. Yes, it lives in the productivity section of bookstores. Yes, it teaches focus. But at its core, it’s a purpose book. Using the iceberg metaphor from the original book, Jay walks through the real order of success: purpose drives priority, and priority drives productivity. When you start at the surface with hacks and tools, you get busyness. When you start beneath the surface with clarity about why you’re working in the first place, everything changes. He shares stories from Stu McLaren and Pat Flynn, unpacks the rider-and-elephant concept from The Happiness Hypothesis, and challenges you to define your “season” of life. What matters most right now? What role can you not afford to fail? If you’ve been feeling busy but unfulfilled, this conversation will help you realign your work with what truly matters. Challenge of the Week: Block 30 minutes this week and ask yourself one simple question: Why am I working so hard? Journal your answer. Don’t edit it. Just get honest. Clarity begins there. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Productivity vs. Purpose [01:09] The Busyness Trap [04:30] The Iceberg [13:59] Stu McLaren and the Courage to Pivot Toward Purpose [17:09]  Building a Successful Business Can’t Be The Only Goal [18:18] Purpose Is Always in Charge [24:31] The Simple Challenge: Start With Purpose Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System The ONE Thing (book) Stu McLaren Website Michael Hyatt Website Pat Flynn Will It Fly? by Pat Flynn The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA

At 19 years old, Amy Purdy went to work feeling a little run down. Within 24 hours, she was fighting for her life in the hospital. She beat the odds, and survived a life-threatening infection - but she would ultimately lose both legs below the knee as a result. What followed wasn’t a comeback story built on motivation posters. It was a masterclass in agency. In this conversation, Amy walks Jay through the moment she asked a life-altering question from her hospital bed: If your life were a book, how would you want the story to go? That question became her anchor. From there, she visualized a future that didn’t yet exist and worked backward, one problem at a time. Amy shares how she became a pioneer in adaptive snowboarding, literally building the prosthetics she needed to ride again. Along the way, she discovered that challenges don’t block the path. They create it. The same tools that helped her survive her darkest days became the tools that carried her to Paralympic medals, entrepreneurship, and the stage. This episode is about clarity, purpose, obsession in the right direction, and learning to “bounce forward” when life removes the familiar path. Challenge of the Week: Set aside quiet time to visualize your best self. Don’t negotiate with reality yet. See it. Feel it. Then ask, what would have to be true for this to happen? Start there. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] This Is a Story About Agency, Not Limitation [02:30] They Gave Me a 2% Survival Chance. She Beat the Odds. [11:45] The Idea That Led to Agency [15:04] Find The Power to Solving Your Own Problems [17:16] Turning Failure Into a Design Problem [21:21] Amy’s First Successful Run [24:45] Everyone Feels incomplete [28:03] The Power of Visualization [33:26] Turning Pain into Purpose [40:16] From Success to Survival [44:06] Visualizing Your Best Self Links & Tools from This Episode: Pre-order Bounce Forward by Amy Purdy Read On My Own Two Feet by Amy Purdy Adaptive Action Sports (organization founded by Amy Purdy) Follow Amy Purdy on Instagram: @amypurdygurl Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA 

Are you ghosting your goals? By February, most people have already given up on the goals they set in January. But what if the reason you keep ignoring your goals isn’t a lack of discipline, but a lack of relationship? In this episode, Jay Papasan invites you to stop “proposing” to your goals every January and start dating them regularly instead. Jay breaks down why most goals fade by February and how to replace goal drift with steady progress. He walks through the full framework, from writing a Someday Letter and working backward into five-year and one-year milestones, to using the 411 to translate goals into weekly, time-blockable actions. You’ll also learn why a 30-minute weekly “date” with your goals and a five-minute daily check-in before your phone can radically change your focus, reduce the busyness trap, and prevent Groundhog Year from repeating itself. This episode is a practical reset for anyone who feels busy but stuck. The answer isn’t setting better goals. It’s staying in touch with the ones you already have. Challenge of the Week: Schedule a 30-minute appointment with yourself. Review your goals and identify the one thing you can do next week to get back on track. Think big, aim small. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why most people ghost their goals by February How to use the Someday Letter to clarify long-term direction Turning goals into weekly actions with the 411 Links & Tools from This Episode: The 411 and Someday Letter Exercises are Available on Our Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA 

Most people don’t plan for a pivot that changes everything. For Alex Hopes, it started with a moment that stopped his life cold and rerouted it completely. What followed was a decade-long journey of saying yes to what was in front of him, even when it didn’t match the original plan. In this episode, Jay Papasan talks with Alex, founder of Zilker Bark, about how a simple dog photography project grew into massive dog events attracting thousands of people in the Austin area. They unpack the power of narrowing your focus, why constraints can sharpen creativity, and how community-driven experiences create built-in word of mouth. Alex also shares the behind-the-scenes lessons of rapid growth, from learning on the fly to finding mentors who help you avoid costly mistakes. At its core, this conversation is about trusting the pivot, choosing depth over breadth, and letting your ONE Thing reveal itself over time. Challenge of the Week: Take a step back and look at the unexpected changes in your life or business. Identify one alternative path you may have overlooked and ask what could happen if you leaned into it instead of resisting it. We talk about: [00:00] Welcome and Introduction to Alex Hope  [01:05] Your Side Project Gains Momentum… Now What? [03:25] The Power of Word-of-Mouth [05:07] Do Constraints Actually Improve Creativity? [07:48] One-To-Many: The Transition to Events [12:32] How Do Community-Driven Events Create Exponential Growth? [17:20] Managing Explosive Growth [24:40] How Do You Move Forward When Life Forces a Hard Pivot? *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How focusing on a niche can accelerate growth Turning community into your best marketing engine Finding opportunity inside unexpected life pivots Links & Tools from This Episode: Follow Alex Hopes on Instagram   Visit Zilker Bark’s Website Follow Zilker Bark on Instagram Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com   Produced by NOVA

Elite athletes don’t just train harder. They recover better. Between points, plays, and games, they use small, intentional rituals to reset their bodies and minds so they can perform again at a high level. In this episode, Jay Papasan makes the case that business owners and leaders need the same approach. Inspired by a classic Harvard Business Review article, Jay breaks down the difference between habits, systems, routines, and rituals—and why rituals stand apart. Habits and systems automate outcomes. Rituals create meaning. That meaning helps us shift emotional states, regain focus, and sustain energy over the long haul. Jay walks through four key areas where rituals matter most: physical recovery, emotional regulation, mental clarity, and connection to purpose and values. From walking meetings and white space to end-of-day transitions and goal-setting retreats, these practices help prevent burnout while improving results. The takeaway is simple: if you want rituals of performance, you need rituals of recovery. The goal isn’t just a great year—it’s a great career.  Shoutout to Anne-Laure LeCunff, author of Tiny Experiments and our guest in episode #497, whose writing on habits, routines, and rituals added depth and scientific grounding to this episode, even though it wasn’t called out during the recording.  Listen to that episode of the podcast here. Also, read Anne-Laure LeCunff’s fantastic article, Why Your Brain Needs Everyday Rituals. Challenge of the Week: Design one new ritual that adds recovery or meaning to your day. Put it on your calendar and protect it. We talk about: [00:00] What Elite Athletes Teach Us About High Performance [03:45] Habits vs. Routines vs. Rituals [12:35]  The Importance of Recovery in Any Profession [14:02] A Ritual for Regulation: Emotional Clarity & Composure [16:10]  A Ritual of Transition: From Work to Home [20:02] How Can YOU Build Rituals Into Your Life? [22:40] Rituals to Realign with Your Core Values [28:27] What One Ritual Could You Add to Improve Everything Else You Do? *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why elite performers recover faster than everyone else The difference between habits, routines, systems, and rituals How recovery rituals actually increase performance Links & Tools from This Episode: The Making of a Corporate Athlete (Harvard Business Review) The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Listen: Permission to Pause: Reclaim Your Identity Outside of Work with Jen Davis  Produced by NOVA 

Public speaking consistently ranks as one of our biggest fears, but what if the real issue isn’t technique at all? In this episode, Jay sits down with Tristan de Montebello, co-founder of Ultraspeaking, to explore why confidence breaks down when we communicate and how to rebuild it from the inside out. Tristan shares his rapid journey from beginner to finalist in the World Championship of Public Speaking and the lessons that reshaped how he thinks about mastery, coaching, and performance. Together, they unpack the idea of “leaking” insecurity, why audiences feel it instantly, and how small moments like pausing, blanking, or making mistakes can actually build trust when handled with confidence. The conversation moves beyond stages and spotlights into everyday moments: meetings, conversations, questions left unasked, and opportunities we quietly avoid. This episode is about learning to stay present, trusting what’s already inside you, and stepping into discomfort long enough to let your best thinking show up. Challenge of the Week: Volunteer for something without fully preparing. Raise your hand, ask the question, or take the turn you’d normally avoid and notice what shows up when you stay confident anyway. We talk about: [00:00] Intro: What is Ultraspeaking? [02:21] What People Get Wrong About Public Speaking [04:33] Why Do “Quick Fixes” Not Help in Speaking? [05:58] Speaking Is About One Thing: Psychology [08:28] Are You Leaking Your Insecurity? The Impact of Stumbling in a Speech [10:28] Small Signals of Confidence - How to Stop Leaking [18:47] Tristan’s Journey at The World Championship of Public Speaking [24:16] The Truth about Great Public Speakers [36:16] Your Weekly Challenge *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why confidence leaks before technique ever matters The role of coaching and deliberate discomfort in mastery How staying present changes the way people receive your message Links & Tools from This Episode: Ultraspeaking Website  World Championships of Public Speaking The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA 

How do you stay afloat when everything is falling apart? Life can - and will - hit you hard. And how can you lead others when you feel like you can’t lead yourself? This week, Jay sits down for an interview with Tiffany Fykes and Sarah Reynolds from Empire Building, to share some of the deeply personal hardships he has navigated in the past several years, and opens up about what it really looks like to lead when your systems, confidence, and energy are all under strain. Rather than pretending strength means pushing through alone, Jay shares how adversity can become an ally if you’re willing to learn from it. He introduces the idea of building “lighthouses”: simple frameworks, reframes, and support systems that help you navigate future storms with more clarity and less damage. You’ll hear why reframing self-talk matters most when standards feel impossible, how recalibrating expectations can keep you moving forward, and why re-engineering your village is essential for sustainable leadership. This conversation is an honest reminder that extraordinary results don’t come from avoiding storms, but from learning how to lead through them with grace, transparency, and purpose. Challenge of the Week: Take one challenge you’re facing right now and turn it into a solution. Then ask: can this solution become a simple framework, checklist, or ritual for my future self? We talk about: [00:00] Introduction to Empire Building and Jay Papasan [03:38] Jay's Personal Storm [10:00] Building Lighthouses and Helping Others [15:50] Reframing Standards and Recalibrating Priorities [20:42] What Does “Doing Your Best” Actually Mean Right Now [24:17]  How Do You Re-Engineer Your Support System [34:00] What Changes When You Build Rituals of Connection [37:46] Why Coaching is so Important  *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How to reframe adversity without lowering your standards   Why done is good and good is great in hard seasons   The power of intentionally rebuilding your support system Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan   Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy   Empire Building podcast Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA 

Big goals have a way of starting strong and slowly falling apart. Motivation fades. Life intervenes. Momentum stalls. In this episode, Jay Papasan shares what actually separates the people who follow through from those who stay stuck in restart mode. After studying more than 400 entrepreneurs and business owners who went through The First Domino program, Jay distills their success into five repeatable commitments. This is not about working harder or piling on more habits. It’s about design. Alignment before action. Simplicity before scale. Jay explains how identifying your first domino, the small but meaningful action that starts momentum, creates progress even on your worst days. He walks through why time blocking turns intention into execution, how defending your calendar protects what matters most, and why accountability beats willpower every time. If you’ve ever felt busy but not effective, driven but burned out, this episode offers a clearer path forward. Small actions. Smart structure. Consistent momentum. Challenge of the Week: Make a commitment to apply the five practices from this episode for the year ahead. Ask yourself: Are my goals truly in alignment with what matters most to me? Have I gone upstream far enough to identify my real first domino? Have I put that action on my calendar? Am I actively defending it over time? And do I have some form of accountability beyond just relying on my own willpower? We talk about: [00:00] Introduction and Welcome [03:16] Defining the First Domino [04:28] Principle One: Alignment [09:58] Principle Two: Focus [20:05] Principle Three: Time Blocking [25:35] Principle Four: Defend [32:22] Principle Five: Commit [40:39] Conclusion and Call to Action *** Sign Up for The First Domino Course Here We talk about: Why alignment prevents burnout before it starts How to find the first domino that actually creates momentum The role of time blocking and accountability in keeping promises to yourself Links & Tools from This Episode: Sign Up for The First Domino Course Jordan Freed’s Website Warren Buffett, Chairperson of Berkshire Hathaway Core Values Workshop & Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA 

For years, Jen Davis did what high performers are taught to do. Say yes. Move faster. Carry more responsibility. Lead at a high level and keep pushing. From the outside, her career looked like the definition of success. Then she was forced to pause. And that pause completely shifted her thinking. She had been running full speed ahead, without realizing the impact it was having on the things that matter most to her - her family. In this conversation, Jay Papasan sits down with Jen to talk about the moment she realized her calendar no longer reflected her priorities, her identity had become tied to her work, and margin had disappeared from her life. Stepping away from running one of the largest coaching organizations in the industry wasn’t about quitting. It was about creating space to think, to feel, and to reconnect with who she wanted to be as a mom, leader, and human being. Jen shares what surprised her most during the pause, why busyness can be a form of self-soothing, and how decision fatigue quietly erodes both joy and clarity. Together, she and Jay unpack the difference between reacting and responding, the power of reflection, and why 15 minutes of intentional thinking can become the first domino toward a healthier, more grounded life. Challenge of the Week:  Set a timer for 15 minutes. Put your phone face down in another part of the room. No scrolling. No reading. No to-do lists. Just sit with your thoughts and decide what truly matters today.  *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. Links & Tools from This Episode: Visit Jen Davis’s Website The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham Follow our friend Jordan Freed on Instagram Dr. Robyne Hanley-Defoe Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

We’re closing out the year with a special highlight reel from some of Jay Papasan’s favorite conversations of 2025, all centered on two big themes: taking action and sustaining action. On the “taking action” side, Jenny Wood reframes fear as a signal of agency, Pat Flynn walks us through his “DeLorean” future-casting exercise, and Sahil Bloom challenges us to let our calendars prove what truly matters. Morgan Housel explores defining “enough” beyond money, Brandon Turner breaks big dreams into MINS—most important next steps—and Anne-Laure invites us to lower the stakes with tiny experiments instead of perfectionism. On the “sustaining action” side, Coach Jordan Freed shares his awareness–agency–accountability cycle, Chris explains why self-care is a strategy (not selfish), Dr. Robin Hanley-Defoe shows how to process emotion in real time, and Liz Bohannon gives us a practical path to building real community. Revisit the moments that moved you most, then dive into the full episodes linked in the show notes to go deeper and share them with someone who needs them. Challenge of the Week: Pick one lesson from this episode and turn it into a simple daily practice for the next week. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Why This Episode Exists and What We’re Reflecting On [01:44] Fear as a Compass and a Source of Agency (Jenny Wood) [06:01] Using the DeLorean Exercise to Gain Perspective [09:31] What Would a Stranger Say About Your Priorities (Sahil Bloom) [12:05] Defining Enough Beyond Money [14:29] What Is the Most Important Next Step (MINS) [17:21] Why Consistency Is Intensity (Gary Keller) [21:20] Lowering the Stakes with Tiny Experiments (Anne-Laure Le Cunff) [24:51] How Long Success Really Takes (Dorie Clark) [30:11]  Why Self-Care Is a Strategy, Not a Reward (Chris, The Long Haul Leader) [34:04] Processing Emotion Instead of Carrying It (Dr. Robin Hanley-Defoe) [37:26] Building Community Through Consistent Rhythms [42:53] Choosing One Lesson and Carrying It Forward Links & Tools from This Episode: The Unconventional Traits That Fast-Track Success | Jenny Wood and Jay Papasan Why Smart People Stay Stuck in "Getting Ready" Mode | Pat Flynn & Jay Papasan Define Success on Your Own Terms | Sahil Bloom & Jay Papasan The Art of Spending Money (And Why Most of Us Get It Wrong) | Morgan Housel & Jay Papasan How to 6X Your Goals Using The ONE Thing | Jay Papasan & Brandon Turner Tiny Experiments: The Neuroscience of Getting Unstuck | Anne-Laure Le Cunff and Jay Papasan The Way: 5 Principles That Create Extraordinary Results | Gary Keller & Jay Papasan The 10 BOLD Truths for Building an Amazing Life | Gary Keller & Jay Papasan How to Win The Long Game (When Everyone Else Plays Short) | Jay Papasan & Dorie Clark The 4 Hidden Thieves Destroying Your Productivity | Jay Papasan & Jordan Freed How to Lead for the Long Haul Without Burning Out | Jay Papasan & Chris Ducker Why High Achievers Burn Out (and What to Do About It) Leadership’s Hidden Cost: Loneliness - And How to Build Real Community | Jay Papasan & Liz Bohannon Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

So much of life runs on a “default” operating system—school, work, productivity tools, even your phone. But what happens when that default just doesn’t work for you? In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with BestSelf Co. founder Cathryn Lavery to talk about being diagnosed with ADHD at 31, realizing she was a “Mac forced to run PC software,” and how she began designing systems that actually matched her brain. Cathryn shares the INCUP framework (interest, novelty, challenge, urgency, passion) and how she uses gamification, short time frames, and keystone habits to stay focused. You’ll hear the origin story of the wildly successful BestSelf Journal, the shift from being a “product company” to a “problem company,” and how relationship struggles inspired tools like the Intimacy Deck and other conversation decks. Challenge of the Week: Start a “problem log” in the notes app on your phone. For the next week, capture every small friction or annoyance in your day—personal, work, or relationships. At the end of the week, review your list and ask: Which of these problems am I uniquely suited to solve? *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. Links & Tools from This Episode: Learn more about BestSelf Co. BestSelf Journal Intimacy Deck Self-Discovery Deck Core Values Deck Helm Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA 

Are you choosing the right book for the season you’re in—or just grabbing whatever looks interesting? In this solo episode, Jay Papasan walks through the ten books he recommends and gifts more than any others. These are not simply his “favorites”—they’re the books that shaped his craft as a writer, helped him level up as an entrepreneur, grounded him in discipline, clarified his thinking about money, and strengthened his understanding of character and growth.  Jay shares why "The War of Art" has become an annual reread for so many, how Peter Drucker’s "Managing Oneself" can reset your approach to personal mastery, why Ryan Holiday’s "The Obstacle Is the Way" remains essential for anyone doing hard things, and how Morgan Housel and JL Collins make the world of money simple, sane, and actionable. He also covers his top writing books, the research-backed lessons of Adam Grant, and the beautifully illustrated gift book he’s given to hundreds of clients. Challenge of the Week:   Ask yourself: "What is the book I need for this season of my life?" Read for what you need—not for what’s trending. Choose one book, commit to it, and let it gift you something you’ll someday pass forward. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why certain books become “sacred shelf” books Jay returns to again and again How creativity, discipline, money, and character are shaped by what we read How to choose the ONE book you need right now based on the season you’re in Books Mentioned: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield Managing Oneself by Peter Drucker The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday On Writing by Stephen King The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel Your First 1000 Copies by Tim Grahl Give and Take by Adam Grant The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy Links & Tools from This Episode: Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything “right”? Performing at a high level, meeting everyone’s expectations, carrying the load—and yet still feel yourself slowly wearing down? It’s more common than you might realize—and there’s a way out. Jay Papasan is joined by behavioral psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe to unpack why the people who look the strongest are often the most at risk for burnout. She calls it “the curse of the strong”—the slow erosion that happens when high achievers overuse the very muscles that once made them successful. Together, they explore why burnout isn’t just about workload, but about losing agency, operating outside your values, and ignoring the subtle signs your body sends long before the collapse. Dr. Hanley-Dafoe shares practical, compassionate strategies to prevent burnout, restore alignment, and regain control—from tiny daily decisions to intentional pauses, grounding techniques, and value-based prioritization. Challenge of the Week:Look at your to-do list. If you have more than three items, you’re writing fiction. Remove one thing. Delegate it, delay it, or release it completely—and notice how much agency returns with that single act. To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about:  Why high performers are uniquely vulnerable to burnout    How agency, choice, and language shape resilience    The role of values alignment in preventing exhaustion and cynicism Links & Tools from This Episode: Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe  Follow Dr. Hanley-Dafoe on Instagram: @dr_robynehd Her Books: Calm Within the Storm  Stress Wisely Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA 

We all want to make a difference — but how do you start giving when life already feels full? In this solo episode, Jay Papasan shares his personal “5 Step Giving Framework,” a simple and strategic way to turn good intentions into consistent action. Drawing from research, experience, and years of purposeful practice with his wife, Wendy, Jay outlines how gratitude, time, money, leadership, and wealth form a natural progression in becoming a generous, fulfilled person. You’ll hear stories of everyday generosity, examples from inspiring philanthropists, and practical steps for integrating giving into your daily routine — even when resources are tight. The goal isn’t just to give more, but to give smarter and more intentionally. Challenge of the Week:For the next seven days, be purposefully thankful to one person each day. Write a note, say it out loud, or send a message — and notice how that simple act of gratitude shifts your energy and perspective. To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: The research-backed benefits of giving Jay’s 5 Step Giving Framework How small, consistent acts create big impact Links & Tools from This Episode: Give and Take by Adam Grant KW Cares & KW NextGen Follow Jay on Instagram Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

How many times have you said, “It’s not the right time”? Whether it’s starting a new business, writing your book, or making a big life change, we all fall into the trap of waiting for perfect timing. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t exist. In this episode, Jay Papasan shares a personal story about finally deciding to adopt a second dog — and how that simple decision revealed a deeper truth about action, timing, and regret. Using insights from psychology and coaching, Jay explains two big mental traps that keep us stuck: the Planning Fallacy and the “Yes, Damn” Effect.   You’ll also learn the surprising origin story behind Nike’s iconic “Just Do It” slogan — and how to use that same mindset to move from “one day” to “day one.”   Challenge of the Week: Think about the thing you’ve been putting off. In the next 24 hours, schedule one small action that gets you started. Stop waiting for the right time — make now the right time.   *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why the "perfect time" never arrives The Planning Fallacy and "Yes, Damn" Effect How to turn "one day" into "day one" Links & Tools from This Episode: The Happier Hour by Cassie Holmes   Hillel Blumberg's Five Pillars of Wealth   Follow Jay on Instagram: @jaypapasan Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA 

Every November, Jay Papasan dedicates time to exploring one of the most powerful productivity tools you have—the ability to say no. This year's "No-vember Special" dives deep into 11 different ways to protect your time, energy, and focus, often without ever saying the word "no." From Steve Jobs' legendary turnaround at Apple to simple scripts you can use in daily life, Jay explains why saying no is essential for achieving extraordinary results. You'll learn how to anticipate requests, set healthy boundaries, delay decisions, and reframe your priorities so that every "yes" truly counts. He also shares practical tools like the "Get Ahead of the Ask" method, batching decisions, and using alternate resources—all designed to help you focus on your ONE Thing while preserving your relationships and sanity. Challenge of the Week:Identify one thing in your life or work that's not serving you—and say no to it today. Use one of Jay's 11 techniques to make your no both clear and kind. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How to say no without damaging relationships   Why protecting your yeses leads to extraordinary results   Jay’s 11 practical techniques for setting boundaries  Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan Follow Jay on Instagram Speakpipe.com/the1thing — Send us an audio note or feedback Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA 

Every year, Americans spend more than $100 billion on education—books, courses, conferences, and training—and research shows that less than 20% ever do anything with what they learn. That means roughly $80 billion of potential goes unrealized every year. This episode is about joining the 20% who act. Jay Papasan walks you through the T.I.P.P.S. framework—a simple process he’s taught for years to help people turn learning into lasting change. You’ll learn how to **Take notes** that stick, **Identify key takeaways**, **Prioritize** what really matters, **Put it on your calendar** within 24 hours, and **Seek accountability** so your ideas turn into real-world results. Along the way, Jay explains why handwritten notes dramatically improve retention, how to use Pareto’s Principle to cut through information overload, and the data behind why accountability multiplies your odds of success. Whether you’re fresh from a conference or finishing a great book, this episode shows you how to make learning pay off. Challenge of the Week: Pick one idea from this episode and put it on your calendar within the next 24 hours. Then, share it with an accountability partner who can check in with you. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why most learning doesn’t lead to action   The five-step T.I.P.P.S. framework for implementation   How accountability drives extraordinary results Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve (memory research) Dr. Gail Matthews Goal Achievement Study Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA 

When Gary and Jay wrote The ONE Thing, they defined success as “getting what you want.” But most of us chase goals we didn’t truly choose. In this episode, author and creator Sahil Bloom shares how he reset his scorecard, left a lucrative path, and built a life aligned with his values—starting with time. Sahil explains why the worst distractions often look like great opportunities, and how to run cheap, fast experiments to discover your highest point of leverage. He breaks down the “no unforced errors” mindset, distinguishes planning from preparation, and explains how batching management tasks (thanks to Parkinson’s Law) protects time for deep thinking and creative work. You’ll also hear how to build a high-agency team so you spend more of your week in your zone of genius. If you’ve been pulled in too many directions, this conversation will help you get clear on what matters—and defend it. Challenge of the Week: Ask: “If a third party watched my week, what would they say my priorities are?” Identify one mismatch between your calendar and your stated priorities, then take one tiny action to close the gap this week. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How to use low-cost experiments to find your highest-leverage work Why “no unforced errors” beats flashy wins over the long term Protecting thinking time with Parkinson’s Law and better batching Links & Tools from This Episode: The Five Pillars of Wealth by Sahil Bloom The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey Moneyball by Michael Lewis Naval Ravikant (quote referenced) Anne-Laure Le Cunff (on tiny experiments) David Galenson’s research on conceptual vs. experimental innovators Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA