The ONE Thing: The Lies

from the files
of teacher and children's author
Barbara Jean Hicks

The ONE Thing: The Surpisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results is not a book about writing. But after hearing co-author Jay Papasan speak on the subject and diving into the text on my own, I discovered that it CAN be a book about writing. In fact, it can be a book about anything--especially the things that are most important to you, and most especially the ONE thing that is most important to you, whatever that might be.

The book is divided into three parts: The Lies (which mislead and derail us), The Truth (the simple path to productivity) and Extraordinary Results (how to unlock our latent possibilities).

I think Papasan and his co-writer Gary Keller (one of the founders of Keller Williams Realtors, the largest realty company in the U.S.) have some interesting things to say that can help me be more productive as a writer. Since reading the book, I've already started a couple of writing practices that I'm going to try my darndest to make into habits. (It takes 33 days, Papasan says, for a practice to become a habit. I'm twelve days in!)

Today: The Lies. To tell the truth, I was more than a little pleased to hear what Keller and Papasan listed as lies! Some of them are things I've always had trouble with. Number two especially--it's a quality you see employers seeking in their want ads, and I've always felt a little "less than" because I know it's not something I do well. Does anyone else feel even a little sense of relief that this list is NOT the way to be productive?!

I've also included a quote either from the text or from the many interesting sidebars in each chapter that refutes the "lie."

Lie # 1. Everything matters equally. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: "Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.")

Lie # 2. Multitasking is the key to getting things done. (Steve Uzzell: "Multitasking is merely the opportunity to screw up more than one thing at a time.")

Lie # 3. Self discipline is required for success. ("The truth is we don't need any more discipline than we already have. We just need to direct and manage it a little better.")

Lie # 4. Willpower is at my beck and call. If I want it, I can have it! ("Willpower has a limited battery life... If you want to get the most out of your day, do your most important work early, before your willpower is drawn down.")

Lie # 5. One should strive for a balanced life at all times. ("Magic never happens in the middle; magic happens at the extremes.")

Lie # 6. "Big" is bad. (Robert Brault: "We are kept from our goal not by obstacles but by a clear path to a lesser goal.")

Chew on those "lies" a little. Think about their opposites. What can you learn about your approach to your writing life from these concepts?

 

Next Week: "The Truth" about how to reach your goals.