The One Thing
by Gary Keller, Jay Papasan · first published 2001
60% recommend36% neutral4% critical
Why HN recommends it
Focus and prioritization book built around asking what single task makes everything else easier; readers say it sharpens attention on the task at hand while keeping the big picture, and stands out among business books.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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on “The Power of Positive People” ↗…intentionally building habits and focusing on systems over goals come into play. I write more about that system here: https://juvoni.com/you-are-a-rocketship/ A great book that talks about that system is The One Thing by Gary Keller As for time management tools I’ve focus on four categories - Tracking - Quotas - Blocking - Scheduling & Task Management I talk about the tools I use here: https://juvoni.com/tools-of-the-time-manager/…
on “Ask HN: What tools/methods do you use to focus your time well?” ↗…if the community here, such as it is, has any tips for daily exercises or practices that can help me get back on track in a kaizen or incremental way a little bit every day." I recommend the book The ONE Thing, Gary Keller: https://www.amazon.com/ONE-Thing-Surprisingly-Extraordinary-... The short of it is exactly what you asked for - working incrementally on one small thing. The core of it is a domino effect,…
on “Trying to get back on track in life” ↗I too had the same problem, but not any more. What worked for me is this book: http://www.amazon.com/The-ONE-Thing-Surprisingly-Extraordina.... I started getting things done when I ask this question to myself: 'What is the one thing I can do now so that everything becomes easier?' and then do that task.
on “Guide to Personal Productivity Methods” ↗Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Principle by Ray Dalio. When Coffee and Kale Compete by Alan Klement. Spark by Dr John J. Ratey, Eric Hagerman, John Ratey. The One Thing by Gary Keller, Jay Papasan. The Mythical Man Month by Frederick P. Brooks. A Dozen Lessons for Entrepreneurs by Tren Griffin. Software Project Survival Guide by Steve Mcconnell. The Undoing Project…
on “Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?” ↗…talk to humans - Never Split the Difference (Voss) - every conversation is a negotiation - Death By Meeting (Lencioni) - short fable - anything else by Patrick Lencioni Prioritization and focus: - The One Thing (Keller) - prioritization - Deep Work (Calport) - focus - Indistractable (Li) - focus See also anything by: Jason Friedman, Jim Collins, Patrick Lencioni, Peter Drucker and biographies in general
on “Ask HN: What makes a good technical leader – any recommended books?” ↗Single 4K ftw. If you feel like you need more, I recommend "The ONE Thing" by Gary Keller.
on “Tips for a Better Life” ↗The book The One Thing by Gary Keller also dives into this idea and is one of the few popular business books which actually left a deep impact on me.
on “Focus is saying no to good ideas” ↗Checkout this book called The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
on “Ask HN: What do you use to align your daily todos with your long term goals?” ↗1. The Bhagavad Gita 2. The One Thing 3. Insanely Simple
on “Ask HN: Life Changing Books?” ↗…physical file system. I take inspiration from multiple books written about productivity and organization. Other books that have been highly influential in my systems are: - Principles (Dalio) - The ONE Thing (Keller) - Organize Tomorrow Today (Selk, Bartow) - Productivity Planner (more of a journal than a book)
on “The Cornell Note-Taking System” ↗These two books are must reads for sure (Or must listens, both are well narrated in audio book form) * The One Thing By Gary Keller and Jay Papasan * Soft Skills By John Sonmez
on “Ask HN: What are the most thought-provoking books that you have read?” ↗Managing Oneself - Peter Drucker (recommended--quick read) The Martian - Andy Weir (slightly more entertaining than the movie) The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results - Gary Keller (great for improving ones focus on the task at hand while having the big picture in mind) Not Fade Away - Laurence Shames (note…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗1. The One Thing. ~ Gary Keller 2. Mini Habits. ~ Stephen Guise 3. Learned Optimism. ~ Martin Seligman 4. Spark. ~ John Ratey 5. Miracle of Mindfulness. ~ Thich nhat hanh
on “Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier?” ↗…you get your top focus done then 60 second tasks if you do them longer that’s just bonus. I think these are much better productivity habits. There’s a great book on focus written by Gary Keller called One Thing.
on “Ask HN: Demotivated, broke, but no crisis. How to light a fire under my butt?” ↗