The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results
What if everything you've been taught about productivity is wrong?
Gary Keller built Keller Williams into the world's largest real estate franchise by agent count using one simple principle. Now, in this Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today bestseller, he reveals the counterintuitive secret that transformed his business and can transform your life.
The ONE Thing challenges the myths we live by. Multitasking makes you less effective. Willpower is a limited resource. Work-life balance is an impossible goal. Instead of doing more, Keller argues you should do less, but with intense focus on what matters most.
At the heart of this book is one powerful question: "What's the ONE Thing I can do, such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?" This focusing question creates a domino effect, where one right action leads to the next, building unstoppable momentum toward extraordinary results.
Packed with practical strategies for time blocking, goal setting, and eliminating distractions, this book provides a clear roadmap for anyone feeling overwhelmed by endless to-do lists. Whether you want to advance your career, improve your health, or strengthen your relationships, The ONE Thing shows you how to cut through the noise and achieve what truly matters.
Stop trying to do everything. Start doing the one thing that will change everything.
Interesting Facts
Real Estate Mogul Wrote It: Gary Keller, who co-founded Keller Williams Realty in 1983, wrote this book with Jay Papasan. Keller Williams grew from a single Austin office to become the world's largest real estate franchise by agent count. Keller graduated from Baylor University in 1979 and sold five houses his first month in the business.
Sold Nearly 2.5 Million Copies: The book has sold approximately 2.5 million copies worldwide since its 2013 release. It appeared on more than 500 national bestseller lists, including hitting number one on The Wall Street Journal's hardcover business list.
Translated Into 41 Languages: The book's global reach extends to 41 different language translations. This makes it accessible to readers across continents and cultures, spreading its focused productivity message worldwide.
Published on April Fools' Day: Bard Press first published The One Thing on April 1, 2013. Despite the humorous date, the book became a serious commercial and critical success.
Won 12 Book Awards: The book earned recognition with 12 different book awards. Hudson Booksellers named it one of the five best business interest books of 2013.
Co-Author Was HarperCollins Editor: Jay Papasan worked as an editor at HarperCollins Publishers before joining Keller Williams. He helped edit bestselling books like Body-for-Life by Bill Phillips and Go for the Goal by Mia Hamm.
Domino Effect Uses Real Physics: The book references physicist Lorne Whitehead's 1983 discovery that a domino can knock down another domino 50% larger than itself. Starting with a two-inch domino, the 10th would be as tall as NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, and the 57th would nearly reach the moon.
Recommends Four Hours Daily: The book suggests readers should dedicate four hours each day to working on their "ONE Thing." This time blocking approach prioritizes the most important task when willpower and energy are highest.
Inspired by Pareto Principle: The authors cite economist Vilfredo Pareto as inspiration for their philosophy. They take the 80/20 rule further, encouraging readers to find the 20% of the 20% until they reach their single most important task.
Maria Sharapova Endorsed It: The world number one tennis champion praised the book for helping her focus on one thing each morning. Her testimonial appears in promotional materials for the book.
Challenges Six Common Lies: The book debunks six productivity myths including multitasking effectiveness, the need for constant discipline, work-life balance, and the belief that everything matters equally. Each myth gets dismantled with research and real-world examples.
Features The Focusing Question: The central tool asks "What's the ONE Thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?" This question helps readers identify their highest-leverage action at any given moment.
Gary Keller Has His Own Band: Beyond writing and real estate, Keller performs music annually at Keller Williams events. He's also a major benefactor of Austin's music scene and co-founded the Austin Music Movement.
Quotes
"What is the ONE Thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?" - Gary Keller
"Don’t focus on being busy; focus on being productive. Allow what matters most to drive your day." - Gary Keller
"When you give your ONE Thing your most emphatic “Yes!” and vigorously say “No!” to the rest, extraordinary results become possible." - Gary Keller
"In the end, the best way to succeed is to go small. And when you go small, you say no – a lot." - Gary Keller
"Success is actually a short race-a sprint fueled by discipline just long enough for habit to kick in and take over." - Gary Keller
"Until my ONE Thing is done, everything else is a distraction." - Gary Keller
"Success demands singleness of purpose. You need to be doing fewer things for more effect instead of doing more things with side effects." - Gary Keller
"Extraordinary results are directly determined by how narrow you can make your focus." - Gary Keller
"the majority of what you want will come from the minority of what you do." - Gary Keller
"More than anything else, expertise tracks with hours invested." - Gary Keller
"So, if you want to get the most out of your day, do your most important work—your ONE Thing—early, before your willpower is drawn down." - Gary Keller
"Extraordinary results happen only when you give the best you have to become the best you can be at your most important work." - Gary Keller
"To ignite your life you must focus on ONE Thing long enough for it to catch fire." - Gary Keller
"Taking complete ownership of your outcomes by holding no one but yourself responsible for them is the most powerful thing you can do to drive your success." - Gary Keller
"To achieve an extraordinary result you must choose what matters most and give it all the time it demands. This requires getting extremely out of balance in relation to all other work issues." - Gary Keller
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