The One Thing — Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

Why every leader and mentor needs to focus on what matters most

“What’s the ONE Thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?” — Gary Keller

1. The Problem

Modern leaders are drowning in distractions. Meetings, messages, and metrics fight for attention until true priorities disappear under noise. We confuse busyness with productivity and mistake activity for progress. The real challenge for today’s leaders and mentors is learning how to focus.

2. Summary and Why Leaders Should Read It

The One Thing delivers a powerful principle that transforms how leaders set priorities and make decisions. Keller and Papasan argue that extraordinary results come from narrowing your focus to the single most impactful action in any given area of life or work. Instead of juggling everything, successful leaders identify the task or goal that drives the greatest results and give it their full energy.

For mentors and managers, this lesson is critical. When you teach your team to simplify their focus, you help them reduce overwhelm and create momentum. The book challenges the idea that balance comes from multitasking. True balance comes from clarity, commitment, and the discipline to say no to what does not align with your purpose.

3. Practical Applications

• Ask the Focusing Question: Start each day by identifying your “one thing.” Use it to guide how you spend your time and attention.
• Time Block the Important: Protect focused time on your calendar for strategic thinking, mentoring, or project execution. Treat it as non-negotiable.
• Say No Gracefully: Every yes to something unimportant is a no to something essential. Practice declining requests that do not serve your highest priorities.
• Teach the Principle: Encourage your team or mentees to identify their “one thing” each week and hold them accountable to it.

“Success is built sequentially. It’s one thing at a time.”

Great leaders are not defined by how much they manage but by how clearly they focus. When you choose your one thing and give it the attention it deserves, you model clarity and discipline for everyone you lead.

Grab your copy on Amazon: The One Thing by Gary Keller
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, but I only recommend books that have influenced how I lead and mentor.)