The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results

by Gary Keller

When everything feels urgent and important, everything seems equal. We become active and busy, but this doesn’t actually move us any closer to success. Activity is often unrelated to productivity, and busyness rarely takes care of business.

3. Give each habit enough time. Stick with the discipline long enough for it to become routine. Habits, on average, take 66 days to form. Once a habit is solidly established, you can either build on that habit or, if appropriate, build another one.

WHAT TAXES YOUR WILLPOWER • Implementing new behaviors • Filtering distractions • Resisting temptation • Suppressing emotion • Restraining aggression • Suppressing impulses • Taking tests • Trying to impress others • Coping with fear • Doing something you don’t enjoy • Selecting long-term over short-term rewards

1. Don’t spread your willpower too thin. On any given day, you have a limited supply of willpower, so decide what matters and reserve your willpower for it. 2. Monitor your fuel gauge. Full-strength willpower requires a full tank. Never let what matters most be compromised simply because your brain was under-fueled. Eat right and regularly. 3. Time your task. Do what matters most first each day when your willpower is strongest. Maximum strength willpower means maximum success.

When you’re supposed to be working, work, and when you’re supposed to be playing, play. It’s a weird tightrope you’re walking, but it’s only when you get your priorities mixed up that things fall apart.