NOTE: This post has been updated with new information and republished here:
The Life-Changing Magic of Doing One Thing at a Time
Photos by: Sean Hawley and Dave Gough
Practical Tips for Productive Living
NOTE: This post has been updated with new information and republished here:
Photos by: Sean Hawley and Dave Gough
J.J. says
Posts like this is why I’ve been reading your blog, emails and ebooks for the better part of 5 years now.
I love the analogy used in this post. It is time for me to focus on ONE thing! It’s time for me to focus on ME for a little while.
Marc Chernoff says
Thank you for the continued kindness and support, J.J.. 🙂
Adele Barron says
Marc – What a fabulous post! I am going to FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS on getting dressed so I can leave my house to take care of important errands. You are so right — it’s so easy to get caught up doing a multitude of things that before you know it, the hours pass, and nothing was accomplished except flitting from one thing to another. Love your posts! Thanks for the encouragement!
Kelly says
thanks
Marc Chernoff says
🙂
Sammy says
yes!
Shalu says
Good morning and Namaste from Nepal. Thank u, this one is so amazing for me. Actually i do multitasks but didn’t realize this would harm my produtivity. Thank u MarcandAngel. Always be with us.
And ya i have no idea whats that pic.. but it looks awesome (1st one)
#Shalu
Aline says
I have turned my focus on me and my health (physical, mental,and spiritual).
I believe that if more businesses read this article,they would get so much more productivity out of workers. Multi tasking is killing the human races spirit!
Great article as always.
Shalena says
Wow! This is exactly what I needed to start my week.
Thank You!
Debbie says
Thank you.
Marc Chernoff says
So happy this post helped, Debbie. Thank you for sticking with us. 😉
Sarah Elizabeth || Sediva Abroad says
Beautiful post! Quite honestly, I only noticed this in myself very recently – I am working through a blogging and business course by Melyssa Griffin, and in her pre-course module, she worked through a bunch of productivity work. She pointed out the issue of multitasking so brilliantly, I was instantly forced to admit that I have been insanely guilty of multitasking and wasting time over the last few years. Focusing on one thing at a time is an incredible, powerful strategy that we often don’t even realize we’re not doing! xx
Gail says
🙂
Suzanne B says
I start every day reading your message … it’s been life-altering, and I can’t imagine more than one day without it.
But … WOW, this message couldn’t have come at a better time. I always appreciate your insight, but this time I can implement your suggestion IMMEDIATELY.
Looking forward to some productive days!
Thank you 🙂
Gai Nguyen says
Before pouring more water into a glass, you’ve got to empty it. Otherwise, you need a bottomless glass to keep pouring things on in. don’t forget to empty your mind before putting things in it. And it’s best to put just one thing at a time, for peacefulness at mind. I can’t agree more with Marc and Angel.
frank says
Finding oneself multi-tasking all day long not only diminishes work related results, but personal and family relationships as well.
Dan says
The one thing that I’m going to focus on is increasing my income then give myself a much needed vacation.
Julia says
Just heard a similar sentiment yesterday on Super Soul Sunday with Mark Nepo. The takeaway was when we have four things going at one time we begin to falsely assume that anything less than that is a kind of personal failure.
I am going to focus all my attention on finally ridding the upstairs part of my home from a terrible hoard of clutter-things that have a sentimental pull but no longer serve my current life. I’m ready to be done with it !!
Christy says
I love this advice. I’ve recently changed jobs and have noticed my productivity level is up since I don’t have access to as much internet activity during the work day. It’s not a bad thing.
Christine Rosas says
🙂
Sunaina says
Dear Marc and Angel,
Namaste from India!
Your inspiring posts are the best thing that happened to me last year, when I was at my lowest. Now its a steady incline and your posts are the catalyst for it!!
In my haste to speeden up huge success I realised I was trying to do a bit too much (and add 33% extra to that!) , but without any noticeable progress.. but your posts have inspired me to have the courage to lay out my tasks and try and get things done one at a time. It is true that when we want something, the whole universe conspires to make it happen! A lot of transformation has happened over the past 1 year… and I have to THANK YOU GUYS for playing a major part in it with your wonderful posts! As for now, the one thing I am focusing on is my studies. .. finish up that post graduation which got delayed as I entered mommyhood… my daughter has turned into my daily boost of inspiration… just as she learnt how to walk and run after stumbling down so many times… I will also go after it, no matter how many obstacles I have to overcome! 🙂
Keep up the good work people. Let your inspiration cross all boundaries-physical and the unseen and keep making this world a happier place each day!
With lots of love from India
Dr.Sunaina
shalu says
Hey Sunaina.. nice to see you here neighbour.
good luck
#Shalu
Ellen Bard says
I’m currently reading Deep Work by Cal Newport (great book) and between that and this article, I’ve just deleted FB from my phone, as one more tool in the arsenal to stay focused….feels like a much bigger deal than I’m sure it is!
Alex Kublickis says
As always you hit the nail right on the head (one nail and focused!)
Focusing on “The One Thing” is something I learned from another mentor of mine Gary Keller (Of Keller Williams) His book, “The One Thing” has helped me focus and grow.
Marc and Angel, thanks for ALL that you do, looking forward to seeing you in Jupiter (or points South) again.
Lina says
Hi Marc and Angel,
What a wonderful post and again, so timely. I recently started a new job and with so many tasks to be completed, I am finding that I am trying to do too much at the same time.
Now, I will practice how to focus on one thing at a time and do it well!
Thank you for this reminder.
edward covert says
Thank you. This is great reminder to be mindful and present! Stay in touch with your “witness”. Thanks again!
Mary says
I want to thank you for your wonderful website and the emails I receive several times per week. Have been receiving them for a few years now. Most of the time they tell me what I need to hear and are helping me to transform my life. You two are a blessing!!!
Jacqueline says
Thank you for reminding me about this, i new about this before but some how i get drawn into trying to either get more done or faster etc, doing one thing at a time works, and your work improves and you get more done, standards improve all round, i work in a situation where people rush all the time, and there work is shabby, and causes me indigestion, i slow down and refuse to multi task and i then dont, get so worked up, all gets done in the end and i am more relaxed, once again thank you
love Jacqueline xxxxxx
Paul says
Multi-tasking is a flawed concept but somehow is still seen as a measure of being a productive person. It’s about time that we recognize people who are able to focus and complete one task before starting the next. That’s the real measure of a productive person.
Great post as always. Thank you.
Remjune says
This is the truth. As much as I love jumping around, and having my mind trail my thoughts and my actions trail my thoughts… I do know you speak the truth. It is nearly 4:00pm today and I am nearly exhausted and feel that I have not accomplished anything!
It is invigorating to step back, take a macro-survey and begin anew.
Thank you for always continuing to share your words and wisdom. I really enjoy reading your articles and watching your (rare but powerful) videos.
Focus. Focus. Focus.
Here I go!
Julio Letelier Monge says
Thank´s again for your amaizing blog!
I will defintely foccus on my work and bussiness, cause I´m starting a great entrepreneur sport thing and I want to success! Not only for make another dream real, it´s for the kids that are waiting for it.
A big hug from the last part pf the world (CHILE), will keep in touch!.
Mohit says
Why do we do so many things at a time then?
Is it just to get quick results?
Have we become impatient on the road to success?
Even writing this i feel i should have the answer to my questions immediately. But why?
Wu-Gene says
Wash my dishes.
ELLAINE says
Thank You ! for always and giving us inspirational words to apply in ourselves . I have to FOCUS!! (that i don’t have right now ) but STARTING TODAY I WILL FOCUS MYSELF ON POSITIVITY AND STOP WORRYING… WORRY NO MORE! THANKS AND GOD BLESS ALWAYS.
Tarcia says
Thank you so much for this post. Multitasking has greatly affected me for the time i was at school and hence didn’t perform to my full potential. From now on i will focus on one thing at a time.
Pat says
Frequently feel overwhelmed and something was nagging inside me that I should consider changing the way I do things but not able to put my finger on what I need to change. I have the answer now. !!! I will focus on being focused. I suspect…. a one word answer with tremendous payback.
Janice says
I am going to focus on completing this assignment for my British Lit Grad class.
Nelu Mbingu says
Great article, Marc!
I agree, focus is the key to maximum productivity.
And if you look at it, all those who are the best in their field (Olympic athletes, world-class musicians, etc.) are the ones who have focused on perfecting their skills in one art until they reached mastery.
Thanks for the reminder.
Cheers,
Nelu
Cathy says
I once read of ‘FOCUS’ being defined as ‘Follow One Course Until Successful’, and your post reminded me of it, at a time when I really need it. Thank you
Lea says
I’m going to focus my next project. One down.
melanie says
This is so true and I can really connect with this and some people like me for some bizarre reason feel a need to be doing several things at once, have a pressing list of several things to be ding – can’t sit still struggle to focus on one thing because always creating another thing to be doing while currently working on something. I do this when I try to sleep – instead of trying to sleep I’m thinking and planning so many other things in my head when I know a 10 minute yoga session – no phone or laptop in the bedroom would be so much more productive and would set my sleep alight!
Thanks as ever Marc and Angel – I love receiving your emails.
Marc Chernoff says
Thank you for all the incredible comments and insights, everyone. I’m glad YOU found value in the brevity of this post. Cheers to focusing, and making life simple again. 😉
Dr.Surbhi says
Namastey and thanks again, my unseen “Angels”
-Dr.Surbhi (INDIA)
sergio says
So many people assume that getting more done equates to a better life. This is not true. As cliche as it may sound, “quality” vs “quantity”. We are so glued to our screens that very few people are fully present when they do something. Anything and everything we do in life should be enjoyed for its own sake. Not just something meant to get from point A to point B like a robot.
Marie says
Your writings are so inspirational. Did you ever consider selling posters of some of them? It would really help me through out the day.
Michael Todd Gwin says
Great article Marc! I really love the analogy too. For me your analogies are always perfect for what your explaining. I’m always able to store advice better when its in the form of a visual analogy. Thanks.