The ONE Thing

Keller Podcast Network

Discover the surprisingly simple truth behind extraordinary results. Learn how the most successful people in the world approach productivity, time management, business, health and habits with The ONE Thing. A ProduKtive® Podcast.

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578 episodes
Updated Monday

Episodes578

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Monday · 26 min
Put Down The Business Book. Read Fiction Instead
Look at your bookshelf. Business books, biographies, the ones everyone said you had to read. Now be honest: how many did you finish? Jay Papasan should be the last person making this case. He's spent 30 years in business books - first as an editor at HarperCollins, then as coauthor of multiple award winning & bestselling nonfiction books. And this week he's telling you to put the business books down and pick up a novel. Because somewhere between Gordon Gekko and hustle culture, business people decided that serious people read serious books - and quietly abandoned the oldest learning technology humans have. The research says that decision is costing you: focus, empathy, sleep, vocabulary, maybe even years of your life. And the fix can take fifteen minutes a night. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why the business books on most shelves have never actually been read - Why a 12-year Yale study found readers 20% less likely to die - How fiction rebuilds an attention span that's shrunk from three minutes to one - How fiction trains the empathy that tells you what your customer will object to - Which sci-fi novel Gary Keller called the best business book he'd read in ten years - Why you never owe a book more than 50 pages (0:00) Why Business People Stopped Reading Fiction (2:54) The Best-Selling Business Books Are Secretly Fiction (5:51) What Reading Does to Your Lifespan and Focus (10:08) Fiction Improves Your Empathy (13:45) How to Read 50 Books a Year (18:52) Five Sci-Fi Gateways (22:41) Historical Fiction (23:51) Easy Reading (26:49) The Challenge: One Book, 50 Pages The 10 books: Sci-fi - Dark Matter (Blake Crouch), The Martian and Project Hail Mary (Andy Weir), Ready Player One (Ernest Cline), Wool (Hugh Howey) Historical fiction - Gates of Fire (Steven Pressfield), The Alice Network (Kate Quinn) Great, easy-reading fiction - For Whom the Bell Tolls (Ernest Hemingway), Down River (John Hart), Beartown (Fredrik Backman) Know someone who may find this episode helpful? Share it with them: https://the1thing.com/podcast/.
July 20 · 50 min
The Science of Excellence: How To Master Your Craft, Passion vs. Obsession, The Myth of Balance, and More w/ Brad Stulberg
The version of success you’ve been sold is really just stress with better branding. Brad Stulberg has spent 20 years researching and reporting on the top 1% in their field - Olympians, powerlifters, bestselling authors - and has written 5 books on what he’s learned, including Peak Performance and his newest, The Way of Excellence. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why work-life balance fails - Whether your obsession with work is fueling you or burning you out - Why hitting a goal you've chased for years can leave you empty - Why positive self-talk doesn't actually work - Why you can't feel fear and curiosity at the same time - How elite performers rest without feeling guilty Know someone who may find this episode helpful? Share it with them: https://the1thing.com/podcast-episode/the-science-of-excellence-how-to-master-your-craft-passion-vs-obsession-the-myth-of-balance-and-more-w-brad-stulberg/ *** Chapters: [00:00] Intro [01:47] What Actually Counts as Excellence? [03:45] The Two Ingredients for Meaningful Work [07:03] The Science of The Last Percent [10:15] Why Fear and Curiosity Can't Coexist [15:10] Self-Soothing Doesn’t Work. This Does. [21:55] Good Passion vs. Obsessive Passion [24:55] Why Does Winning Feel So Empty? [28:03] Is An Identity Crisis Inevitable? [35:02] The Importance of Recovery [41:45] The Value of Inefficiency [47:03] Your Challenge This Week Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • Brad Stulberg • Follow Brad Stulberg on X • The Way of Excellence by Brad Stulberg • Free Resources
July 13 · 46 min
How to Reinvent Yourself: A 4 Step Framework for Starting Over
Jay Papasan talks with Steve Kamb, founder of Nerd Fitness and author of How to Try Again, about what it takes to change course. Steve shares his PACT framework: Pause, Accept, Change, and Try, and explains why real change often feels messy before it feels clear. Together, Jay and Steve explore identity shifts, false expectations, the myth of “normal,” and how small experiments can help you move toward a life that fits the season you’re actually in. Know someone who may find this episode helpful? Share it with them: https://the1thing.com/podcast-episode/how-to-reinvent-yourself-a-4-step-framework-for-starting-over/ *** We talk about: [00:00] Starting Over & Trying Again [04:51] Steve’s 4 Step Framework [12:10] There Is No Normal [19:52] Change is Uncomfortable [24:59] Experiment Your Way Out [42:43] Force Yourself to Be Mid Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • How to Try Again by Steve Kamb • Nerd Fitness • Steve Kamb • Free Resources Produced by NOVA
July 6 · 19 min
A Deep Dive on Our Most Impactful Coaching Tool
Get The Someday Letter Worksheet: https://linkly.link/2ld7z Most of us are comfortable setting annual goals. But what happens when you look 10 years into the future and let yourself dream without boundaries? In this episode, Jay Papasan shares one of the most powerful tools used in The ONE Thing coaching program: the Someday Letter. It’s a simple but deeply clarifying exercise that asks you to write a letter to yourself from the future, describing the life, work, relationships, values, and adventures you want to create. Jay opens up about his own resistance to the exercise, why it took him 18 months to finally do it, and the surprising clarity he found on the other side. He explains how the Someday Letter helps you work backward from a future vision, make better decisions in the present, and stop chasing short-term gains that don’t lead where you actually want to go. Know someone who may find this episode helpful? Share it with them: https://the1thing.com/podcast-episode/a-deep-dive-on-our-most-impactful-coaching-tool/ *** We talk about: [00:00] Why This Tool is So Powerful [3:35] How to Write Your Someday Letter [16:10] The ONE Thing Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • The Someday Letter Workbook • Free Resources Produced by NOVA
June 29 · 41 min
Change Your Relationship with The Gap (In Business and in Life)
High achievers know the gap well: the space between where you are and where you want to be. It can drive growth, but it can also become a source of fear, avoidance, and self-judgment. In this episode, Jay talks with five-time entrepreneur and executive coach Hannah Soto about the three ways business owners and high achievers often relate to the gap. They chase it, believing fulfillment lives on the other side. They hide from it by staying busy, over-planning, or avoiding the next scary step. Or they use it as proof they aren’t enough. Hannah shares how her own experience walking the Camino de Santiago changed her relationship with suffering, resilience, and becoming. Together, she and Jay explore how to stop treating the gap like a problem to fix and start seeing it as evidence of a compelling vision. *** We talk about: [00:00] What is The Gap? [04:46] Stop Chasing Fulfillment Like a Finish Line [15:09] Overcoming Avoidance [23:29] Can Coaches Help? [27:13] Self-Doubt And Judgement [38:27] The ONE Thing Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: • The ONE Thing Operating System • Hannah Soto’s Website • Hannah Soto’s Instagram • Free Resources Produced by NOVA
June 22 · 27 min
Getting Unstuck: How to Fix the 3 Most Common Behaviors Holding High Achievers Back
You already know what to do. So why is it so hard to do it consistently? In this episode, Jay Papasan breaks down three patterns that keep entrepreneurs and high achievers trapped in the gap between knowing and doing. First, we often think we’re clear when we’re really being general. Second, we chase new information instead of mastering the system we already have. Third, we let the 80% masquerade as the 20%, allowing urgency, inboxes, DMs, and other distractions to pull us away from the work that matters most. Jay also explores why these patterns persist. Often, they are serving us in the short term, protecting us from discomfort, failure, disappointment, or uncomfortable emotions. But what protects us today can hold us back tomorrow. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] The Gap Between Knowing and Doing [02:40] Why You’re Not as Clear as You Think [9:10] Stop Chasing the Shiny New System [15:41] When the 80% Pretends to Be the 20% [21:27] Why These Patterns Keep Repeating [25:11] The Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System The First Domino training program Free Resources Produced by NOVA
June 15 · 26 min
Social Accountability 101: How Peer Pressure Can Help You Achieve Your Goals
You know what to do. You start strong. You have the system, the motivation, and the goal. Then, a few months later, you’re right back where you started. What happened? In this episode, Jay Papasan breaks down one of the biggest reasons high achievers struggle with consistency: they try to go it alone. The solution is social accountability. Not someone forcing you to follow through, but choosing to be accountable to your goals by bringing the right people into your process. Jay shares three simple ways to tap into the power of “we”: doing it in public, doing it with others, and doing it around others. From public progress reports to gym buddies, coworking sessions, and body doubling, each strategy gives you a different way to create positive pressure and follow through when motivation fades. Challenge of the Week: Pick your ONE Thing for the week. Reach out to one person and tell them what you’re committing to. Ask them to check in with you on Saturday and ask how it went. That simple progress report could be the accountability you need to stay consistent. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Why You Can’t Stay Consistent [02:00] Ditching the Lone Wolf Mentality [03:29] Building in Public [09:02] The Gym Buddy Effect [15:44] Social Pressure is A Good Thing [23:29] Your Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System: https://the1thing.com/os Dr. Gail Matthews’ goal-setting research at Dominican University: https://scholar.dominican.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=psychology-faculty-conference-presentations Check Out The Episode with Donald Miller Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHp-XeObSLA Free Resources: https://the1thing.com/free-resources-v2 Produced by NOVA
June 8 · 30 min
How to Build Resilience (Before You Need It) With Valorie Burton
Resilience is often treated like a personality trait. You either have it or you don’t. But Valorie Burton sees it differently: Resilience is a personal system you can build before life demands it from you. In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Valorie Burton, CEO of the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute and author of Rules of Resilience, to unpack what it really takes to bounce back. They talk about the three parts of resilience: adaptive skills, protective resources, and preventive choices. They also dig into why leaders need to expect the unexpected, close their growth gaps, control the controllable, and choose thoughts that strengthen them. This conversation is a practical reminder that challenges are not just something to survive. They are opportunities to grow through, learn from, and use to become the person your goals require. Challenge of the Week: Set aside 30 minutes and ask yourself: What is the opportunity in the challenge I’m facing right now? It could be an opportunity to grow in patience, leadership, communication, courage, consistency, or self-trust. Don’t just go through the challenge. Grow through it. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Resilience As A System [05:32] Expect the Unexpected [9:07] Close the Growth Gap Holding You Back [15:32] Control What You Can [25:10] Your Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: Rules of Resilience by Valorie Burton Valorie Burton’s Website Valorie Burton’s Resilience Assessment Free Resources Produced by NOVA
June 1 · 24 min
The Isolation of High Achievers: Why All Entrepreneurs Feel Lonely (And How to Fix It)
High performers are often great at building businesses, serving clients, supporting families, and chasing big goals. But there’s one thing they tend to neglect: friendship. In this episode, Jay shares the story of a lonely night in a Nashville hotel room that became a wake-up call. He realized he had been leaning on too few people and needed to intentionally rebuild his support system. With the help of his coach, Jay began “re-engineering his village” by identifying the qualities he wanted in close friends, reaching out more often, and saying yes to the right opportunities. That journey eventually led him to a hiking trail in rural Japan with three friends, where unstructured time, meaningful conversations, and shared adventure helped create deeper bonds. If you’ve been feeling alone while carrying big responsibilities, this episode is a reminder: friendship does not happen by accident. It can be built with purpose. Challenge of the Week: Identify the three to five qualities you want in the friendships you’re building. Get clear on what you’re looking for, then start saying yes to those people, reaching out, and creating space for deeper connection. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] The Loneliness Epidemic in Business [02:52] Why High Performers Feel Alone [06:29] How Jay Fast-Tracked Friendship [12:20] The Science of Friendship [15:19] The Truth About How to Make New Friends [21:30] Your Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Jeffrey Hall’s friendship research Free Resources Produced by NOVA
May 25 · 35 min
High-Stakes Communication: How to Negotiate Confidently, Ask Smarter Questions, and Build Influence with Phil Jones
Have you ever walked away from a conversation wishing you could go back and say it differently? According to Phil Jones, that doesn’t mean you have a communication problem. You may have a moment problem. Phil, author of the bestselling book Exactly What to Say, joins Jay to talk about the word choices, principles, and preparation that help people show up better in high-stakes conversations. He shares how a simple body of work grew into a global brand, why so many people give up on their greatest hit too early, and how boredom can become a path to deeper mastery. Jay and Phil also unpack the four cornerstones of conversational excellence, including why the worst time to think about what you’re going to say is while you’re saying it. The real challenge is learning to identify your critical conversations, those small moments that have an outsized impact on your results. Challenge of the Week: Identify one critical conversation in your personal life, one as a leader, and one that affects your income. Pick a hyper-specific moment inside each conversation and add more intention to how you show up. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] How Phil Jones Built a Career Around Knowing Exactly What to Say [05:02] How Repeated Questions Revealed Phil’s ONE Thing [08:01] Why People Give Up on Their Greatest Hit Too Early [13:45] Why the People You Serve Keep You Committed [19:14] The Four Cornerstones of Conversational Excellence [30:48] The ONE Thing Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: Exactly What to Say by Phil Jones Magic Words by Phil Jones Phil Jones’s Website Free Resources Produced by NOVA
May 18 · 42 min
The Habit Lab: How to Build Consistency in Business & Life with Kim Zuroff
High achievers aren’t held back because they don’t know what to do. The challenge is always consistency. Habits are so powerful because they are automatic - and in this episode, you’ll learn how to harness the power of habit to help you hit your most elusive goals. Today, Jay sits down with Kim Zuroff, Director of Growth and Executive Coach at The ONE Thing, to talk about the art and science of habits. Kim walks through the habit loop of cue, craving, response, and reward, and explains why habits are often a design problem, not a discipline problem. Jay and Kim discuss how distractions like phone notifications and inbox checking can derail your ONE Thing, why tracking your time creates awareness, and how to start small enough that you can keep going even on your worst days. They also explore habit stacking, evening routines, and why the 66-day journey matters when building lasting change. Challenge of the Week: Pick one habit you want to build. Identify the cue, the craving, the response, and the reward. For the best chance of success, attach it to something you already do automatically, such as “After I brew my coffee, I will…” *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: https://the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Why High Achievers Struggle With Consistency [02:59] The Habit Loop Reveals What Drives Behavior [07:45] How Habits Show Up in Coaching [11:03] Why the First Domino Has to Be Small [15:22] How Email Becomes Someone Else’s Agenda [20:37] Better Mornings Begin With Better Evenings [39:12] The ONE Thing Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System: https://the1thing.com/os Kim Zuroff’s previous episode on The ONE Thing Podcast, “Is Your Serial Achievement an Addiction?”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-your-serial-achievement-an-addiction-heres-how-to/id1191482456?i=1000678146322 Free Resources: https://the1thing.com/free-resources-v2 Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com or send us an audio note at https://www.speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA: https://novapodcasting.com/
May 11 · 34 min
Brand Building 101: Content Strategy, Storytelling, Positioning and More with Donald Miller
Entrepreneurs know they need to create content, build trust, and stay visible. The hard part is knowing what to say, how often to say it, and how to make sure your message actually leads people toward your business. In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Donald Miller, author of StoryBrand, for a practical masterclass on brand building for entrepreneurs. Donald breaks down how to use content to create curiosity, build familiarity, and guide customers toward commitment. He also explains why the strongest brands are built around a specific problem, a clear promise, and a founder or leader who knows how to show up with both empathy and competence. From personal brand strategy to storytelling, positioning, social proof, and video content, this conversation gives business owners a clearer path for becoming known, trusted, and chosen. Challenge of the Week: Own a specific problem. Identify the negative, painful, or annoying thing you want people to call you for, then start saying it clearly. The more specific the problem, the easier it is for customers to understand why they need you. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Your Brand Is Holding You Back [04:01] Avoid the Biggest Mistake Entrepreneurs Make [11:41] Share the Right Stories to Stay Top of Mind [17:22] Build Trust Before You Ask for the Sale [21:49] Use Proof to Make People Feel Like They Know You [28:45] Own the Problem You Want to Solve Links & Tools from This Episode: Donald’s Book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0 Donald Miller’s Website Free Resources Produced by NOVA
May 4 · 31 min
The Making of The ONE Thing: What We Cut From the Book (And Lessons We’d Add Today)
Before The ONE Thing became the bestselling book readers know today, it was a much bigger manuscript, more than 400 pages long. In this episode, Jay Papasan goes back to the final stretch before publication to unpack the hard decisions that shaped the book and made it stronger. Jay shares the lessons behind what got cut, including the idea that low hanging fruit can be a distraction and how maintenance can quietly steal time from the work that matters most. Then he turns to what 13 years of teaching, coaching, and living these principles has taught him since the book came out. He walks through the concepts he would add back today, including core values, the someday letter, taking a bigger view of time with a paper calendar, and the origin story behind the focusing question. Challenge of the Week: Take the biggest project on your plate right now and ask yourself: what is one thing I can subtract to make this simpler, more manageable, and more elegant? Play the subtraction game. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] We Cut 50% of The Book [04:39] Low Hanging Fruit is a Trap [08:56] Maintenance Can Quietly Become a Thief of Productivity [13:59] Thirteen Years Later, Jay Knows What He Would Add Back [18:02] A Bigger View of Time Leads to Better Planning [22:37] The Focusing Question Came From a Need for Real Accountability [28:18] The ONE Thing Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Get the ONE Thing Book Here Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA
April 27 · 38 min
The Psychology of Hope: A Blueprint for a More Hopeful Life with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
When the world feels heavy, hope can feel fragile, or even out of reach. In this episode, Jay sits down with award-winning behavioral psychologist Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe to unpack what hope really is and why it matters so much in difficult seasons. Dr. Robyne explains that hope is not the same as optimism. Optimism is often tied to a specific outcome, while hope is the steady belief that no matter what happens, we will find a way through. Together, they explore the psychology of hope, the role of agency and environment, and why small daily habits can help us stay grounded when life feels uncertain. They also talk about toxic positivity, the people who hold hope for us when we cannot hold it ourselves, and how leaders can create honest, steady environments in challenging times. Challenge of the Week: Ask someone, “What are you hoping for right now?” Then follow it with, “May I hope with you for that?” *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] A Timely Conversation About Hope [01:08] Hope Is Different From Optimism [12:10] Leading With Honesty in Hard Seasons [15:24] The Four Building Blocks of Hope [22:43] Hope Habits That Still Work on a Bad Day [34:26] The ONE Thing Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Read I Hope So by Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA
April 20 · 38 min
Should Business Leaders Get Political? A Framework for Speaking Up
When something bad happens in the world, every business leader has a difficult decision to make - the decision to speak up, or to stay silent. In the past, silence was the safest option - today, that’s no longer the case. In such a chaotic world full of conflict, inequality, and political polarization, it’s never been more important to get this question right. In this episode of The ONE Thing Podcast, Jay Papasan tackles the modern leader's biggest dilemma: The choice to speak up. Whether it's a global crisis, a political movement, or social turmoil, the pressure to "say something" is at an all-time high. To find the answer, Jay sits down with four world-class experts - Donald Miller, Phil M. Jones, Julia Lashay Israel, and Valorie Burton - to build a definitive framework for navigating public conflict carefully and intentionally. This episode is not about telling you what to think. It is about helping you make a wiser decision, one that aligns with your values, your responsibilities, and the impact your voice can have. Challenge of the Week: The next time you feel the urge to immediately post, react, or speak out, pause first and get curious. Ask what else you need to understand before adding your voice. That pause may help you create clarity instead of more noise. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Should Business Owners Speak Up or Stay Silent? [07:05] Julia Lashay’s Framework for Posting With Integrity [11:01] Phil M Jones on Curiosity, Context, and Slowing Down [14:08] Donald Miller on Regret, Responsibility, and Brand Risk [16:21] Valorie Burton on Mission, Empathy, and Adding Clarity [20:56] How this shows up in our lives [26:02] The 6 Question Framework for Deciding When to Speak [36:16] Your Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Watch and Listen to Julia Lashay full episode here Watch and Listen to Phil M Jones full episode here Donald Miller Website Valorie Burton’s Website Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA
April 13 · 41 min
Why Talented People Go Unnoticed: Career Cheat Codes with Courtney Johnson
A lot of talented people assume that if they work hard enough, they’ll eventually get noticed. Courtney Johnson says that’s simply not how careers work. In this episode, Jay sits down with Courtney, author of Career Cheat Codes, to unpack the unwritten rules that often separate people who get promoted, hired, and remembered from those who get overlooked. They explore how visibility, relationship-building, and personal branding shape career growth, whether you’re applying for a job, growing a business, or trying to expand your influence inside your company. Courtney shares practical ways to stand out, from sending a thoughtful follow-up note to improving your digital first impression with better lighting, audio, and online presence. She also opens up about how applying The ONE Thing helped her build her platform, land a book deal, and push through imposter syndrome. Challenge of the Week: Get visible in one way that feels a little uncomfortable this week. Post on LinkedIn, share a recent win in your company channel, or raise your hand in a room where you’d normally stay quiet. Pick the one that feels scariest and do it anyway. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] In Corporate, Working Hard Isn’t Enough [05:53] Getting Your Foot in the Door [08:36] What Employers Look for in [12:58] Do First Impressions Matter? [17:44] Crafting The Perfect Digital First Impression [25:52] She Focused on Her ONE Thing [38:13] The ONE Thing Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: Read Career Cheat Codes by Courtney Johnson Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn Follow Courtney Johnson on TikTok Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA
April 6 · 43 min
How Billionaires Set Goals: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieve Your Goals Using the 4-1-1
If you want to achieve real and sustainable success, you don’t need another productivity system - try this instead. In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Director of Training Chris Dixon to unpack one of the most requested teachings in The ONE Thing community: the 411. They explain why to-do lists, project management tools, and reactive planning often leave people busy but not truly productive. Then they walk through how the 411 creates a simple, one-page view of your most important goals by connecting the year, the month, and the week. Jay and Chris also break down the rhythm that makes the 411 work: daily review, weekly reflection, monthly adjustment, and time blocking the actions that matter most. Along the way, they share common mistakes people make, how to avoid turning the 411 into another to-do list, and why simplicity is the key to making this tool stick. If you’ve ever felt clear on your goals but unsure what to do next, this episode gives you a practical way to close that gap. Challenge of the Week: Go download the 411 tool from the1thing.com/resources, then time block 30 minutes at the end of this week to build your first 411. Keep it simple. Start with just one goal for the year, one milestone for the month, and one action for the week. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] This is How Billionaires Set Goals [01:25] Why To-Do Lists DON’T WORK. [10:21] How to Make a 411 [16:09] What Real 411 Progress Looks Like in Practice [22:58] How To Build Rhythms [32:19] How to Update the 411 Month to Month and Year to Year [37:08] Common Mistakes [39:59] The ONE Thing Weekly Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Free Resources (Including the 411) Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA
March 30 · 45 min
The Science Behind Sustained Success with Nir Eyal
What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t your skills, your resources, or even your discipline—but your beliefs? In this conversation, Jay sits down with Nir Eyal to unpack the hidden force behind motivation and persistence. While most people think success comes from knowing what to do, Nir makes a compelling case that the real driver is belief. If you don’t believe the effort will pay off—or that you’re capable of sustaining it—you’ll quit long before results show up. They break down the “motivation triangle” of behavior, benefit, and belief, and explore how limiting beliefs quietly shape your decisions, your relationships, and your ability to follow through. You’ll also learn a practical method to uncover those beliefs and replace them with ones that actually serve you. This episode also tackles a critical question: when should you keep going, and when should you quit? Nir shares a simple three-part framework to help you decide with clarity instead of emotion. If you’ve ever felt stuck, inconsistent, or ready to give up, this conversation will change how you see yourself—and what’s possible. Challenge of the Week: Identify one limiting belief that’s holding you back. Write it down, then ask yourself: “Could the exact opposite be true?” Create a new belief that serves you—and repeat it when things get hard. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Introduction to Nir Eyal and Persistence in Success [05:30] The Motivation Triangle [10:54] How to Identify and Replace Limiting Beliefs [23:55] If You Want to Quit, Ask These 3 Questions [30:16] How Your Brain Filters Reality and Shapes Your Success [42:39] The ONE Thing Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Beyond Belief by Nir Eyal Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) / The Work by Byron Katie Grit by Angela Duckworth Research by Gabriele Oettingen on visualization (Mental Contrasting / WOOP) Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA
March 23 · 33 min
Don’t Waste Your Hardest Lessons: Julia Lashay’s 5 Principles of Unshakable Resilience
Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of the loss of a child and experiences of grief. It may be distressing for some listeners. Please listen with care and take the space you need. Resilience isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build—often in the moments you’d never choose. In this episode, Jay sits down with Julia Lashay to explore how adversity shapes leadership. From losing everything financially during the Great Recession to the unimaginable loss of her son, Julia shares how she found a way forward when life felt impossible. Instead of pushing past pain, she learned to work through it—starting small, giving herself grace, and using simple tools like the 411 to regain momentum. Along the way, she discovered that purpose isn’t fixed. It evolves. And when you reconnect with it, it becomes the fuel that carries you through even the hardest seasons. They also unpack the role of failure, why feedback accelerates growth, and how the people around you can either lift you higher or hold you back. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward, this conversation offers a path—one step at a time. Challenge of the Week: Start defining your personal mission statement. If that feels overwhelming, begin with your core values. Clarity around what matters most will help guide everything else. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Julia Lashay's Introduction [03:14] Losing Everything and Navigating Personal Tragedy [10:16] The First Steps to Rebuilding Life [15:38] Embracing Learning Lessons [22:46] Surrounding Yourself with the Right People [29:57] The ONE Thing Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Julia Lashay (speaker, coaching, resources) Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA
March 16 · 25 min
Giving Your Infinite Resources: A Shift In Perspective When The World Feels Heavy
When the world feels heavy, many of us fall into the same cycle: doom scrolling, numbing out, or waiting for things to improve In this episode, Jay shares a powerful perspective shift inspired by a lesson from Mr. Rogers: instead of just looking for the helpers, as Mr. Rogers suggests - become one. Rather than waiting for change, we must act. Jay breaks down the science behind action and emotions, including the surprising research of Brené Brown, and outlines his 11 "infinite resources" - 11 ways we can influence change in our life, our relationships, and our world - all without feeling depleted afterwards. The antidote is simple: start giving the very thing you want more of. Challenge of the Week: Identify the emotion or experience that feels most scarce in your life right now - gratitude, encouragement, connection, or something else. Then choose one person and give it to them this week. One small act can create a ripple you may never fully see. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] “Maybe you've heard the story about Mr. Rogers…” Mr. Rodgers Helpers and the Idea Behind the Infinite Resources [09:02] “So number one, love is an infinite resource…” Infinite Resource #1: Love [09:38] “Number one, kindness, so you can offer…” Infinite Resource #2: Kindness [10:15] “ Two creativity. I've written about this, I've talked..” Infinite Resource #3: Creativity [10:52] “Gratitude. Right? Every single day…” Infinite Resource #4: Gratitude [11:42] “Connection, authentic connection feels scarce…” Infinite Resource #5: Connection [12:02] “Curiosity. This is a big one…” Infinite Resource #6: Curiosity [12:41] “Hope when we encourage other people…” Infinite Resource #7: Hope [12:54] “Inspiration. When you inspire others…” Infinite Resource #8: Inspiration [12:58] “Positivity. A positive outlook…” Infinite Resource #9: Positivity [13:01] “Encouragement, when we encourage others…” Infinite Resource #10: Encouragement [13:09] “And finally… forgiveness…” Infinite Resource #11: Forgiveness [13:39] “So there's all of these resources around us that we can tap into..” How To Give Infinite Resources Away [22:53] “So Jay's very unofficial inventory of our infinite resources…” the ONE Thing Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown Jay Shetty Amy Bloom Subsrcibe to Jay Papason’s Newsletter Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA

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Giving Your Infinite Resources: A Shift In Perspective When The World Feels Heavy