The Focusing Question | How to Find the One Thing to Focus On.

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the importance of focusing on one thing at a time to avoid overwhelm and mediocrity. Drawing from the book *The One Thing* by Gary Keller, they emphasize that multitasking is a myth and that dividing focus leads to subpar results. They share a practical approach, using exercises from *Meant for More* by Lisa Savage, to prioritize tasks and tackle the most impactful one first. By following this method, the speaker found success in sequentially launching a YouTube channel, blog, newsletter, and podcast. The key takeaway: focus on one task at a time for greater efficiency and long-term success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Multitasking is a myth; focusing on one task at a time leads to better results.
• 😀 Having a long to-do list can make you feel overwhelmed and prevent you from making meaningful progress.
• 😀 Gary Keller's book *The One Thing* emphasizes the importance of focusing on one key task rather than juggling multiple projects.
• 😀 Dividing your attention among multiple tasks results in mediocre outcomes for all of them.
• 😀 To avoid spreading yourself too thin, pick one thing from your to-do list that will make the most difference and focus solely on it.
• 😀 Lisa Savage’s book *Meant for More* suggests an exercise to find the one task that will have the biggest impact on your goals.
• 😀 The exercise involves creating a large to-do list, then selecting the one thing that will make the biggest difference and moving forward with it.
• 😀 Once you complete the most impactful task, evaluate your list again, pick the next most important task, and repeat the process.
• 😀 The *focus question* (What is the one thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?) is key to maintaining productivity.
• 😀 Focusing on one project at a time helps to create momentum, allowing you to achieve your goals more efficiently over the long term.
• 😀 Start with the most important task first—whether it's YouTube, a blog, a podcast, or another project—and then build from there.

Q & A

Why does the speaker mention feeling overwhelmed with too many goals?

The speaker discusses feeling overwhelmed because they wanted to start multiple projects—like a YouTube channel, blog, newsletter, podcast, and app—all at once. This created a never-ending to-do list, making it difficult to focus on any one task.

What is the core message of *The One Thing* by Gary Keller?

The core message of *The One Thing* is that multitasking is a myth. Instead of trying to do many things at once, the book advocates for focusing on one important task at a time to achieve better results.

How does the speaker suggest tackling an overwhelming to-do list?

The speaker suggests focusing on one task at a time. They recommend making a list of everything you want to do, then asking, 'What’s the one thing I can do that will make everything else easier or unnecessary?' and then fully committing to completing that task.

What does the speaker mean by 'multitasking is a myth'?

The speaker means that while people can technically do multiple things at once, they cannot truly focus on more than one task at the same time. Dividing attention between tasks reduces effectiveness and leads to mediocre results.

What is the 'Focus Question' from *The One Thing*?

The 'Focus Question' is: 'What is the one thing I can do such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?' This question helps to prioritize tasks and focus energy on what truly matters.

What is Lisa Savage’s approach to prioritizing tasks?

Lisa Savage’s approach involves creating a large to-do list, then asking yourself which task will make the biggest impact. Once you’ve identified the most important task, you should focus on that and complete it before moving on to the next.

How did the speaker apply the 'Focus Question' to their own projects?

The speaker applied the 'Focus Question' by narrowing their focus each week to one key project. They started with YouTube, then moved on to their blog, newsletter, and podcast, one step at a time.

What is the key benefit of focusing on just one thing, according to the speaker?

Focusing on one thing allows you to give it your full attention, leading to better outcomes and greater efficiency. It helps prevent distractions and ensures that each task is completed effectively.

How does the speaker suggest handling a growing to-do list?

The speaker recommends focusing on the most impactful task from the list, rather than trying to do everything at once. This helps streamline efforts and ensures that progress is made on what truly matters.

How does the speaker’s method of focusing on one thing relate to long-term success?

By focusing on one thing at a time and completing it thoroughly, the speaker believes you can achieve more in the long term. This approach prevents burnout, boosts productivity, and leads to better results over time.