The ONE Thing

Chances are, if you’re listening to this, you’re familiar with The ONE Thing and you’re already implementing its lessons in your life. But what if you’re doing your best to follow your ONE Thing but still feel like you’re coming up short? What does success, or even progress, look like? Today’s guest is Laurie Roth. You’ve heard from Laurie before, but today is a little bit different. She’s been following the ONE Thing since she was introduced to it in 2018, but struggles to put it into practice each day. This is a common refrain. Knowing what we should do isn’t the same as actually doing it. And let’s be honest, when your boss or colleague needs something from you, it’s very easy to discard your priorities to be a people pleaser. The constant course corrections become exhausting and the lingering feeling that you’re doing something wrong can make you want to abandon your ONE Thing altogether, which is never the right thing to do. Your best option is to protect your time once it’s blocked. You will be amazed at just how receptive most people are if you push back, even just slightly. A subtle “I can get this done by this time,” instead of, “I’ll take care of this right away,” is a perfectly suitable and understandable response when someone’s asking for help. With that slight verbal variation, you’re not dropping your priorities in favor of someone else’s. Listen to the full episode as we reestablish this lesson and many more on our way to confidently and consistently committing to our ONE Thing.If you struggle to put protecting your 4-0-1-1 into action, then visit the1thing.com and request a consultation. We can arm you with the tools you need to ensure you’re actually able to put your ONE Thing to work.To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.In this episode, you will learn... [03:16] How do you know if you’re actually managing to live your ONE Thing? [05:46] How to properly use time blocking and a 4-0-1-1 [20:36] The importance of shutting down constant notifications so we can focus on our priorities Links & Tools From This EpisodeFree ResourcesMentioned in this episode:Factor 75Head to FactorMeals.com/one50 and use code one50 to get 50% off. That’s code one50 at FactorMeals.com/one50 to get 50% off! Factor 75

Do you find that you’re constantly setting lofty goals for yourself, but then backing down when it comes time to turn them into reality? It’s a common problem, even for the most successful people. Your goals might be completely achievable but without knowing how to properly evaluate your situation and choose the right path to take, we can get stuck at square one.Today’s guest, Matthew Hermann, knows this all too well. At an early age, he faced adversity as his mom was diagnosed with cancer, turning them from a poor family to one in severe debt. It made him prioritize making money above all else in life. His defining goal became financial security, so he went to medical school – only to then begin doubting his path.Over a decade later, he realized he needed change and managed to get himself unstuck from the flattened trajectory he was on. He’s now pursuing his true life’s goals – things that bring him happiness and contentment instead of just being what he assumed he was supposed to do. But derailing yourself so that you can pursue your dreams instead of someone else’s can often seem a lot easier said than done. So just how did Matthew Hermann make these huge career pivots successfully? You guessed it. By using the ONE Thing. And here’s how you can use it to make the changes you want to see in your life.If Matthew’s story sounds like you, then visit the1thing.com and request a consultation in order to find out exactly how the ONE Thing can turn your life around so that you’re on track to achieve the things that matter most to you.To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.In this episode, you will learn... [03:39] How Matthew got stuck on the path of medicine [06:36] Matthew’s biking trip across the country and how it led him to The ONE Thing [16:39] What Matthew did to achieve his ONE Thing [22:54] What Matthew’s life looks like now Links & Tools From This EpisodeFree ResourcesMentioned in this episode:Factor 75Head to FactorMeals.com/one50 and use code one50 to get 50% off. That’s code one50 at FactorMeals.com/one50 to get 50% off!Factor 75

We all know what it’s like to have big goals accompanied by a sense of self-doubt. We might want to achieve incredible, ambitious goals – and, even better, we might be able to do it. Even, and especially, when we know it’s something we can achieve if we set our mind to it, there’s this little voice in the back of our minds telling us the task is insurmountable. This week, we talk to April Splide, who’s had a very successful career in The Air Force, about how she was able to take ONE Thing principles and use them to overcome these feelings in herself on the way to competing in Ironman Triathlons. When she first decided she wanted to compete, the idea seemed completely beyond anything realistic to her. By following a 4 1 1, she was able to make her dreams a reality. We break down the many tens of thousands of steps, laps, and miles, on her journey, and how you, too, can apply the ONE Thing in your life to achieve whatever you set your mind to. If you’d like to see what a 4 1 1 looks like for yourself, take a look at the free resources section on the1thing.com, where you’ll find countless examples, templates and tools to help you on your journey. To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.In this episode, you will learn [00:00] How April found her ONE Thing [04:11] How she came to believe in herself  [12:11] How a 4 1 1 let April take control of her time and achieve her goals Links & Tools From This Episode Episode #136: “How Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Weight Lives The ONE Thing” Free Resources Mentioned in this episode:Factor 75Head to FactorMeals.com/one50 and use code one50 to get 50% off. That’s code one50 at FactorMeals.com/one50 to get 50% off! Factor 75

Do you ever wonder how much time is wasted in your workplace because a request takes someone away from something more pressing or simply a better use of their time? No one can be expected to know every little detail about the inner workings of a company and its employees – and, with working from home, this is truer now than it’s ever been before.It might sound silly, but think about it. Let’s say you’ve set time aside to work on your ONE Thing, but then you get a call from your boss. Are you going to finish what you’re doing or drop it in order to be a people-pleaser? Most of you would do the latter. But in all likelihood, only you know the best use of your time within your job because you’re the only person spending as much time doing it.This sense of trust and freedom to prioritize your workload as you see fit is a staple of our corporate culture at ProduKtive, and it’s something that Sarah Hendricks is still getting used to. It makes sense, but pushing back when people ask you for your time is easier said than done. By the end of our conversation, she’s almost a different person, one who sees true value in putting her ONE Thing above all else.If this corporate culture sounds like something you want for your own business but don’t know how to truly implement, then visit the1thing.com and request a consultation in order to make sure your staff are clear about what matters most and that they’re willing to sometimes say “No.”To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.In this episode, you will learn... [00:00] What it’s like to join ProduKtive [16:00] Leading by empowering your employees [23:27] The difficulties Sarah is encountering in adjusting to a new way of working Links & Tools From This EpisodeFree ResourcesMentioned in this episode:Factor 75Head to FactorMeals.com/one50 and use code one50 to get 50% off. That’s code one50 at FactorMeals.com/one50 to get 50% off! Factor 75

It’s only January, but you could already be behind on your goals.The purpose of a goal is to be appropriate in the moment; it’s not about achieving a result. That means there are things you should be doing, starting January 1st, to ensure you’re on track for where you want to go by December 31st. Of course, most people don’t think this way. They may not have even set those goals. If you are not clear about what you need to be doing, this week, right now, to achieve your goals by the end of the year, you are falling behind.In this episode, we give you a healthy lens through which to view your goals at the beginning of the year and teach you how to set yourself up for success by playing with a lead.If you would like to have a conversation about driving this across your whole team, visit the1thing.com and request a consultation.To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.In this episode, you will learn... [01:06] Why you need to be clear about your goals starting January 1st [03:33] How to prioritize your monthly and weekly priorities [09:22] Identifying your ONE Thing [10:54] Why this matters for leaders Links & Tools From This EpisodeFree ResourcesMentioned in this episode:Factor 75Head to FactorMeals.com/one50 and use code one50 to get 50% off. That’s code one50 at FactorMeals.com/one50 to get 50% off! Factor 75

As we step into a new year, we often take stock of our goals and ambitions. But hang on, if you do this every year, how often do you set targets, then look back at the end of the year only to realize you could have done better? Chances are, there are a few fundamental issues with how you’re thinking about goal setting.One of the major pitfalls that trips people up with resolutions is that they set their goals, then they don’t think about them until the end of the year when it’s time to see if they succeeded or not. Think about applying that logic to any other aspect of your life. It makes about as much sense as leaving raw ingredients out and returning to the kitchen expecting them to be cooked and prepared as a meal. Not only will they not be cooked, but some ingredients may even spoil in the time you’ve waited.Or, we discuss another example: you’ve met someone you like, romantically. If you really hit it off and you like each other, you’re not going to say, “Let’s check in with each other a year from now and see how this is going” are you? Of course not; that’d be crazy. Why would you treat a relationship with your goals the same way? Tune in to this important episode before making your list of resolutions. Let’s break down the best way to approach annual goals so that they become a compass to guide our decisions throughout the year. The game has started. Now, it’s time to build a lead.If you would like help setting and applying goals like this for your year, visit the1thing.com, where we’ll be happy to set you up with a consultation to find the best way you can focus on and achieve your ONE Thing in the year ahead.To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.In this episode, you will learn... [03:00] What it means to unpack your annual goals [09:30] The importance of building a lead Links & Tools From This EpisodeFree ResourcesMentioned in this episode:Factor 75Head to FactorMeals.com/one50 and use code one50 to get 50% off. That’s code one50 at FactorMeals.com/one50 to get 50% off! Factor 75

We’ve reached the final episode in our six-part series exploring the benefits of the ProduKtive System, our proven method for applying The ONE Thing to your life, such that by doing it, everything else becomes easier or unnecessary. Sometimes, good habits are all you need, but getting them to stick can be easier said than done. Let’s explore how we can build them into our lives with intentionality. Chances are, you’ve heard the idea that all you need to make seismic changes in your life are a few good habits. Many of us roll our eyes and dismiss the notion. If you want to lose weight, it’s easy to say, “Just form the habit of working out.” If it was that easy, you’d already be as fit as a pro athlete.The secret to all of this is that it actually is that easy. You just need to know what habits to form to get you from A to B. More often than not, that takes breaking down both cause and effect. What are the reasons you’re not achieving or maximizing your goals? What can you do to change that? That’s where our habit building should focus. And that’s the topic of this episode of the podcast. For more information on exactly how we can all build simple habits into our lives that allow us to really focus on our ONE Thing, visit the1thing.com. You’ll learn more about the impact the ONE Thing can have on your success through simple, easy to implement steps. To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.In this episode, you will learn... [03:20] The challenges we face when trying to have purpose [05:30] What it means to form intentional, positive habits [10:00] A habit-forming exercise you should try for yourself Links & Tools From This EpisodeFree ResourcesMentioned in this episode:Factor 75Head to FactorMeals.com/one50 and use code one50 to get 50% off. That’s code one50 at FactorMeals.com/one50 to get 50% off! Factor 75

In part five of our six-part series on the ProduKtive System, our proven method for applying The ONE Thing to your life, we look at taking action. It’s easy to read about carving out blocks of time intentionally and with purpose. But when it comes to actually turning down time with family or saying “No” to people, it can be a different story. That’s what the ProduKtive System is here for. There are common traps people fall into, but if you put the concepts into action, you’ll find yourself living your ONE Thing in no time.In this episode, we show you the four steps to effectively blocking out time for productivity: build your bunker, store provisions, sweep it for mines, and enlist support. Listen to find out what each of these steps entails. Doing so can save you so much time in the long run.These rules for living are easily discussed, but putting them into practice can be a different story. Tune in to learn how to live your ONE Thing, instead dreaming about it.If you would like help implementing this in your own life in less time and with less stress, visit the1thing.com. As an individual you can learn more about our Living Your ONE Thing training membership, and if you are a leader wanting to facilitate creating this plan in your organization or team, request a consultation.To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.In this episode, you will learn... [01:00] How we block time without following the ProduKtive System [09:25] How to block your time effectively [19:50] The four things you can do to protect your time blocks Links & Tools From This EpisodeFree ResourcesMentioned in this episode:Factor 75Head to FactorMeals.com/one50 and use code one50 to get 50% off. That’s code one50 at FactorMeals.com/one50 to get 50% off! Factor 75

This is part four of a six-part series diving into the ProduKtive System, our proven method for implementing the principles of The ONE Thing into your life. While these principles are surprisingly simple to understand, they can be challenging to put into practice. Today we focus on how you can prioritize things so that you can stay on track to hit your daily, monthly, and yearly goals.It might seem like merely knowing what you should be doing is enough, we know that’s never the case. People struggle to bridge the gap between their yearly plan and what they need to accomplish this week. They are often reactive when they need to be proactive and they struggle to say no to the things that don’t matter as much. In this episode, we unravel each of these ideas so that you can learn how to overcome them and achieve greater results in less time.If you would like help implementing this in your own life in less time and with less stress, visit the1thing.com. As an individual you can learn more about our Living Your ONE Thing training membership, and if you are a leader wanting to facilitate creating this plan in your organization or team, request a consultation.To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.In this episode, you will learn... [03:45] The 20% challenges people face when prioritizing their actions [04:30] Why failing slowly often looks like success [08:37] How to make time for what matters most [14:41] How to get better at saying no [18:03] How to get clarity for what matters most [24:16] How to put this into action Links & Tools From This EpisodeFree ResourcesMentioned in this episode:Factor 75Head to FactorMeals.com/one50 and use code one50 to get 50% off. That’s code one50 at FactorMeals.com/one50 to get 50% off! Factor 75

Time is your most valuable resource. The problem is, most people spend their time instead of investing it. The resulting waste is amplified if you apply it across an entire organization. If you can’t focus on what matters most, you end up working longer hours and sacrificing your personal life.We help people implement a simple system to turn their big vision into action steps. Instead of just being busy, you’ll be productive and achieve extraordinary results both professionally and at home. While the principles of The ONE Thing are surprisingly simple, they can be challenging to live.What stops most people from living The ONE Thing is the lack of a system – which we’ve called “The ProduKtive System.” In the third of our six-part series, we discuss how to build a strategy and get clarity across your organization by creating a one-page business plan. We discuss the top challenges that most business planning processes face and help you understand the problems that they can lead to.If you would like help implementing this in your own life in less time and with less stress, visit the1thing.com. As an individual you can learn more about our Living Your ONE Thing training membership, and if you are a leader wanting to facilitate creating this plan in your organization or team, request a consultation.To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.In this episode, you will learn... [03:40] The five points of friction most business planning runs into [04:37] The lie that everything matters equally [09:09] The key to collaborating on planning [16:45] How to create clarity around ownership [20:38] How to stay focused on the plan when things change [24:00] How to create a GPS to accomplish your priorities Links & Tools From This Episodethe1thing.com/trainingMentioned in this episode:Factor 75Head to FactorMeals.com/one50 and use code one50 to get 50% off. That’s code one50 at FactorMeals.com/one50 to get 50% off!Factor 75