The ONE Thing

• 520. Addicted to Busyness? The Science, the Symptoms, and the Cure

  There’s a reason rest feels like stress when you’re hooked on hustle. Jay unpacks why so many high achievers get trapped in a cycle of motion over progress—how the Zeigarnik effect and our dopamine bias for fast wins pull us toward low-value tasks—and what it costs us in value, time, and morale. He then gets tactical: how to own the problem, say “no” more often, and swap performative work for priorities you can point to at day’s end. Jay shares practical moves that break the cycle: “clear the decks” before deep work, use the focusing question as a sobriety check (“Is this my ONE Thing?”), and start your day with goals before phones so you can say “not now” with confidence. He also highlights the power of building buffer time, translating big goals into weekly milestones, and adding accountability so priorities stick. For the long game, Jay emphasizes weekly 4-1-1 planning, end-of-day reflection, a standing hour of “thinking time,” and quarterly reviews. Even small pauses—a half-Friday off each month—can retrain your system away from busyness and back toward meaningful results. Challenge of the Week: Do a 48‑hour busyness fast. For two consecutive workdays, keep a visible note open and check in a few times a day: “Am I in the busyness trap or on my ONE Thing?” Don’t judge—just observe. Do a short reflection each evening on where you drifted and what helped you refocus. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How the Zeigarnik effect and dopamine loops fuel shallow work Why “goals before phones” makes it easier to say no and protect deep work The weekly 4‑1‑1, thinking time, and simple buffers that sustain focus Links & Tools from This Episode: Read Deep Work by Cal Newport Harvard Business Review: Beware a Culture of Busyness Read The Progress Principle by Teresa Amabile Read The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham Read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

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• 519. 6 Self-Sabotage Habits That Kill Your Progress (And How to Break Them)

  What if the biggest thing standing between you and your goals isn’t the economy, the competition, or even your circumstances—it’s you? In this solo episode, Jay Papasan shares six common patterns of self-sabotage uncovered from hundreds of coaching participants and offers simple, actionable ways to break them. From procrastination and avoidance to people-pleasing, poor boundaries, and constant distractions, Jay reveals how these habits show up and how to replace them with strategies that move you forward. You’ll learn to stop over-planning, quiet self-doubt, design an environment that supports focus, and protect your time so you can do your most important work. Self-sabotage isn’t a character flaw—it’s a habit you can change. Small, intentional adjustments can set you up for greater focus, productivity, and progress toward your goals. Challenge of the Week: Pick one area of your environment—your workspace, your phone settings, or your daily routine—and make one change to help you be more successful and prevent self-sabotage. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: The six main ways people get in their own way Why perfectionism is just disguised procrastination How to design your environment to reduce distractions and protect your focus Links & Tools from This Episode: Read The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins Read Give and Take by Adam Grant Listen to Episode 509. The ADHD Advantage: How Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs Outperform with Tyler Elstrom - The ONE Thing Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

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• 518. How to Find Your Million-Dollar Product with Sam Vander Wielen

  Most people think the market is too crowded to stand out, but Sam Vander Wielen proves otherwise. After leaving a legal career she hated, Sam faced enormous personal and professional challenges, yet built an eight-figure business selling legal templates online. Her secret? Embracing authenticity—sharing her real story, letting her brand reflect her true self, and doing the unglamorous work of listening deeply to her customers. In this episode, Sam reveals how 1,200 sales calls became the foundation for her flagship product, and why building a loyal email audience matters more than chasing social media likes. She shares how to collect meaningful feedback, spot patterns, and deliver what your audience wants, while still giving them what they truly need. Challenge of the Week: Start a “sizzle file:” a note on your phone or a document where you collect every question, comment, or bit of feedback you get from clients, friends, or anyone who asks about your business or expertise. Don’t overthink it—just start dropping them in and look for the patterns. If you have time, go back over your texts, emails, and DMs from the past week and add any other relevant questions. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How Sam’s authenticity became her superpower in business The process of turning 1,200 sales calls into an eight-figure product Building a business on your own platform (email!) instead of rented social media land Links & Tools from This Episode: Learn more at samvanderwielen.com Order Sam’s book, When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy Check out Sam’s signature product, The Ultimate Bundle® Follow Sam on Instagram: @samvanderwielen Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

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• 517. How This Couple Transformed Their Marriage, Career & Life with The ONE Thing

  Before discovering The ONE Thing, Mauricio and Christine were stuck in survival mode—juggling kids, work, and the chaos of daily life. Everything changed when a copy of The ONE Thing landed on Mauricio’s desk. What started as reluctant curiosity grew into a shared commitment: they embraced the 411 and time-blocking, turning scattered days into intentional progress. By having weekly conversations and getting clear on each other’s goals, they found real alignment and deeper intimacy in their marriage. The impact didn’t stop at home—they began applying these tools to their business and community, helping others lead with intention. Today, their ordinary days look extraordinary, simply because they made space to dream and do the work together. Challenge of the Week: Make space for silence this week. Pick a routine task—whether it’s walking, driving, or doing the dishes—and turn off the noise. No radio, no podcast, no distractions. Just give yourself a little space to think (or not think), and see what comes up. Sometimes, the best ideas and clarity come in those quiet moments. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How chaos becomes the “new normal” for so many couples with young kids Using the 411 and time-blocking to align goals and schedules as a family The power of intentional conversations for building intimacy and dreaming bigger Links & Tools from This Episode: Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

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• 516. The 10 BOLD Truths for Building an Amazing Life with Gary Keller

  This week, we’re doing something special. I’m bringing you a live keynote from none other than Gary Keller, where he shares what he calls the “10 Bold Truths”—a collection of powerful ideas designed to help you build an extraordinary life. These truths are the backbone of our BOLD training at Keller Williams, and they align beautifully with the principles behind The ONE Thing. From mindset and focus to accountability and love, each truth challenges the way we think and invites us to make braver choices. You’ll hear Gary unpack timeless wisdom like “Happiness is a choice,” “The path is in the math,” and “No one succeeds alone.” I chime in between each with some of my own reflections and applications you can take into your own business and life. This episode is about more than real estate—it’s about being bold in every part of your life. Challenge of the Week: Think of someone you truly love and tell them. Just one person. Pick up the phone or send a text. You’ll never regret letting them know. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why happiness isn’t circumstantial—it’s a conscious choice How to use math and measurement to break down your goals The importance of choosing accountability over victimhood Links & Tools from This Episode: Read The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan Read Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Read Mindset by Carol Dweck Read The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Past episode: 483. Are You Using This Simple Tool to Make Better Decisions? Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

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