487. "First One In, Last One Out" Doesn’t Scale: Learn Smarter Leadership Strategies

If you’re feeling stretched thin, juggling competing priorities, or stuck in a cycle of busyness, you’re not alone. Many leaders and entrepreneurs face the same challenges.

In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Shawn Blanc, founder of The Focus Course, to explore how to navigate overwhelm, create focus, and build clarity in both life and work. Shawn shares actionable strategies, including the importance of identifying core values, establishing clear priorities, and letting go of distractions to make meaningful progress.

You’ll learn how to address misalignment in your work and personal life, set clear goals that resonate with your mission, and develop habits to ensure you stay focused on what matters most. Shawn’s unique framework helps leaders move from survival mode to purposeful action, fostering growth, productivity, and fulfillment.

Challenge of the Week:

Look at your week and ask yourself: If I only had two hours a week in my business, if I only had two hours to do my job, which two hours would matter most? What’s the meeting with myself or others that makes all the others easier or necessary? Identify that 5%, that first domino in your role or business that drives everything else. That clarity will serve you well.

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To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.

We talk about:

• How to recognize and overcome overwhelm
• Why prioritizing clarity can lead to better decision-making
• Building habits to foster long-term focus and productivity

Links & Tools from This Episode:

• Check out Shawn’s Focus Course
• If you’re a business owner, visit Focus Like a Boss
• Follow Shawn on Instagram: @shawnblanc
• 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