The ONE Thing

Social Accountability 101: How Peer Pressure Can Help You Achieve Your Goals 15.06.2026 26min

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

How to Build Resilience (Before You Need It) With Valorie Burton 08.06.2026 30min

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

The Isolation of High Achievers: Why All Entrepreneurs Feel Lonely (And How to Fix It) 01.06.2026 24min

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

High-Stakes Communication: How to Negotiate Confidently, Ask Smarter Questions, and Build Influence with Phil Jones 25.05.2026 35min

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

The Habit Lab: How to Build Consistency in Business & Life with Kim Zuroff 18.05.2026 42min

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/

Brand Building 101: Content Strategy, Storytelling, Positioning and More with Donald Miller 11.05.2026 34min

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

The Making of The ONE Thing: What We Cut From the Book (And Lessons We’d Add Today) 04.05.2026 31min

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

The Psychology of Hope: A Blueprint for a More Hopeful Life with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe 27.04.2026 38min

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

Should Business Leaders Get Political? A Framework for Speaking Up 20.04.2026 38min

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

Why Talented People Go Unnoticed: Career Cheat Codes with Courtney Johnson 13.04.2026 41min

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

How Billionaires Set Goals: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieve Your Goals Using the 4-1-1 06.04.2026 43min

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

The Science Behind Sustained Success with Nir Eyal 30.03.2026 45min

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

Don’t Waste Your Hardest Lessons: Julia Lashay’s 5 Principles of Unshakable Resilience 23.03.2026 33min

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

Giving Your Infinite Resources: A Shift In Perspective When The World Feels Heavy 16.03.2026 25min

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

The Psychology of Sales: How to Close More Deals (Without Feeling Sales-y) with David Priemer 09.03.2026 42min

Jay sits down with research scientist-turned-entrepreneur David Priemer to do a deep dive into the proven science and psychology of sales. In this conversation, David shares how curiosity - not charisma - became his competitive advantage, and the foundation of his newest business, Cerebral Selling. He breaks down the psychology behind buying decisions and explains why the best sales conversations don’t start with your product. They start with the problem. You’ll hear how David used The ONE Thing to host high-impact executive dinners at Salesforce, turning simple focus questions into powerful masterminds that drove real results. He also unpacks his “PITCH” framework - the storytelling structure behind infomercials - and shows how it applies to premium products, leadership, and everyday conversations. Whether you carry a sales title or not, you are in the business of influence. This episode will help you approach it with more empathy, clarity, and intention. Challenge of the Week: Before your next important conversation, pause and ask yourself: What does this person truly value? Shape your message around that—and see what changes. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] From Research Scientist to Sales Authority [08:14] Turning Curiosity Into Cerebral Selling [09:30] Why The ONE Thing Became Required Reading for Sales Teams [12:40] How Executive Dinners Became High-ROI Masterminds [13:57] Using the Focusing Question to Unlock Peer Coaching [21:13] The Psychology of Selling the Problem First [23:19] Breaking Down the PITCH Infomercial Formula [31:52] Applying the PITCH Formula to Premium Enterprise Sales [37:56] The Power of Selling What People Truly Value Links & Tools from This Episode: To Sell Is Human by Daniel Pink Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive Check out David’s Business Cerebral Selling Sell the Way You Buy by David Priemer David Priemer’s TED Talk: “Why You’re Bad at Buying Stuff” Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA

Closing the Loop: The Science Behind Feeling Overwhelmed, And What to Do About It 02.03.2026 36min

If you feel like you have 30 browser tabs open in your brain, you’re not alone. Most business owners don’t have a capacity problem—they have a clarity problem. In this episode, Jay Papasan unpacks the science behind overwhelm, including the Zeigarnik effect and additive bias, and explains why unfinished tasks drain your mental bandwidth. When you try to multitask your way out, you only slow everything down and create more open loops. The solution isn’t better time management. It's a better selection. Jay walks you through how to download all your open loops, apply extreme Pareto thinking, and identify the first domino that deserves your full focus. You’ll learn why extraordinary success is sequential, not simultaneous, and how redefining what “finished” means can free up mental space and build momentum. If you’re tired of chasing inbox zero and still feeling behind, this episode gives you permission to subtract, prioritize, and focus on what truly matters. Challenge of the Week: Download every open loop in your life—personal and professional. Identify your true 20 percent. Choose your ONE Thing for the week, give it extra time, and let the rest wait. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Reframing the Overwhelm: From Myth to Clarity and Boundaries [4:45] The Science Behind Open Loops: Zeigarnik Effect, Additive Bias, and Decision Drift [9:59] The ONE Thing’s Principle and the Alphabet vs Alternating Test [17:09] Real World Stories: In-N-Out to Daya and Courtney [23:37] Practical Steps: Download, Extreme Pareto and Redefine “Finished”. [30:20] The ONE Thing Weekly Challenge Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System Bluma Zeigarnik (Zeigarnik Effect) Leidy Klotz (Additive Bias Research) Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule) Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA

The ONE Thing Isn’t A Productivity Book 23.02.2026 29min

Most high performers think they have a productivity problem. They don’t. They have a purpose problem. In this episode, Jay Papasan pulls back the curtain on what The ONE Thing has always been about. Yes, it lives in the productivity section of bookstores. Yes, it teaches focus. But at its core, it’s a purpose book. Using the iceberg metaphor from the original book, Jay walks through the real order of success: purpose drives priority, and priority drives productivity. When you start at the surface with hacks and tools, you get busyness. When you start beneath the surface with clarity about why you’re working in the first place, everything changes. He shares stories from Stu McLaren and Pat Flynn, unpacks the rider-and-elephant concept from The Happiness Hypothesis, and challenges you to define your “season” of life. What matters most right now? What role can you not afford to fail? If you’ve been feeling busy but unfulfilled, this conversation will help you realign your work with what truly matters. Challenge of the Week: Block 30 minutes this week and ask yourself one simple question: Why am I working so hard? Journal your answer. Don’t edit it. Just get honest. Clarity begins there. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Productivity vs. Purpose [01:09] The Busyness Trap [04:30] The Iceberg [13:59] Stu McLaren and the Courage to Pivot Toward Purpose [17:09] Building a Successful Business Can’t Be The Only Goal [18:18] Purpose Is Always in Charge [24:31] The Simple Challenge: Start With Purpose Links & Tools from This Episode: The ONE Thing Operating System The ONE Thing (book) Stu McLaren Website Michael Hyatt Website Pat Flynn Will It Fly? by Pat Flynn The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA

Amy Purdy, Paralympic Medalist: How to Turn Your Greatest Setback into Your Greatest Strength 16.02.2026 47min

At 19 years old, Amy Purdy went to work feeling a little run down. Within 24 hours, she was fighting for her life in the hospital. She beat the odds, and survived a life-threatening infection - but she would ultimately lose both legs below the knee as a result. What followed wasn’t a comeback story built on motivation posters. It was a masterclass in agency. In this conversation, Amy walks Jay through the moment she asked a life-altering question from her hospital bed: If your life were a book, how would you want the story to go? That question became her anchor. From there, she visualized a future that didn’t yet exist and worked backward, one problem at a time. Amy shares how she became a pioneer in adaptive snowboarding, literally building the prosthetics she needed to ride again. Along the way, she discovered that challenges don’t block the path. They create it. The same tools that helped her survive her darkest days became the tools that carried her to Paralympic medals, entrepreneurship, and the stage. This episode is about clarity, purpose, obsession in the right direction, and learning to “bounce forward” when life removes the familiar path. Challenge of the Week: Set aside quiet time to visualize your best self. Don’t negotiate with reality yet. See it. Feel it. Then ask, what would have to be true for this to happen? Start there. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] This Is a Story About Agency, Not Limitation [02:30] They Gave Me a 2% Survival Chance. She Beat the Odds. [11:45] The Idea That Led to Agency [15:04] Find The Power to Solving Your Own Problems [17:16] Turning Failure Into a Design Problem [21:21] Amy’s First Successful Run [24:45] Everyone Feels incomplete [28:03] The Power of Visualization [33:26] Turning Pain into Purpose [40:16] From Success to Survival [44:06] Visualizing Your Best Self Links & Tools from This Episode: Pre-order Bounce Forward by Amy Purdy Read On My Own Two Feet by Amy Purdy Adaptive Action Sports (organization founded by Amy Purdy) Follow Amy Purdy on Instagram: @amypurdygurl Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA

Stop Ghosting Your Goals: How to Stay Committed to Your Future Success 09.02.2026 28min

Are you ghosting your goals? By February, most people have already given up on the goals they set in January. But what if the reason you keep ignoring your goals isn’t a lack of discipline, but a lack of relationship? In this episode, Jay Papasan invites you to stop “proposing” to your goals every January and start dating them regularly instead. Jay breaks down why most goals fade by February and how to replace goal drift with steady progress. He walks through the full framework, from writing a Someday Letter and working backward into five-year and one-year milestones, to using the 411 to translate goals into weekly, time-blockable actions. You’ll also learn why a 30-minute weekly “date” with your goals and a five-minute daily check-in before your phone can radically change your focus, reduce the busyness trap, and prevent Groundhog Year from repeating itself. This episode is a practical reset for anyone who feels busy but stuck. The answer isn’t setting better goals. It’s staying in touch with the ones you already have. Challenge of the Week: Schedule a 30-minute appointment with yourself. Review your goals and identify the one thing you can do next week to get back on track. Think big, aim small. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why most people ghost their goals by February How to use the Someday Letter to clarify long-term direction Turning goals into weekly actions with the 411 Links & Tools from This Episode: The 411 and Someday Letter Exercises are Available on Our Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA

Scaling Your Side-Gig: How Alex Hopes Turned a Passion Project into A Phenomenon 02.02.2026 33min

Most people don’t plan for a pivot that changes everything. For Alex Hopes, it started with a moment that stopped his life cold and rerouted it completely. What followed was a decade-long journey of saying yes to what was in front of him, even when it didn’t match the original plan. In this episode, Jay Papasan talks with Alex, founder of Zilker Bark, about how a simple dog photography project grew into massive dog events attracting thousands of people in the Austin area. They unpack the power of narrowing your focus, why constraints can sharpen creativity, and how community-driven experiences create built-in word of mouth. Alex also shares the behind-the-scenes lessons of rapid growth, from learning on the fly to finding mentors who help you avoid costly mistakes. At its core, this conversation is about trusting the pivot, choosing depth over breadth, and letting your ONE Thing reveal itself over time. Challenge of the Week: Take a step back and look at the unexpected changes in your life or business. Identify one alternative path you may have overlooked and ask what could happen if you leaned into it instead of resisting it. We talk about: [00:00] Welcome and Introduction to Alex Hope [01:05] Your Side Project Gains Momentum… Now What? [03:25] The Power of Word-of-Mouth [05:07] Do Constraints Actually Improve Creativity? [07:48] One-To-Many: The Transition to Events [12:32] How Do Community-Driven Events Create Exponential Growth? [17:20] Managing Explosive Growth [24:40] How Do You Move Forward When Life Forces a Hard Pivot? *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How focusing on a niche can accelerate growth Turning community into your best marketing engine Finding opportunity inside unexpected life pivots Links & Tools from This Episode: Follow Alex Hopes on Instagram Visit Zilker Bark’s Website Follow Zilker Bark on Instagram Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email podcast@the1thing.com Produced by NOVA