Embrace the hopeful power of focusing on your one thing instead

I don’t know about you, but the bad things that happen in the world pluck my heart right out of my chest.

When you hear of yet another school shooting…

When yet another life ends before it even has a chance to begin…

When one country wages war against another causing tremendous pain to all those involved…

If we let it, the world, and all that happens on this side of the atmosphere, could quickly overwhelm us.

You cannot, and should not, carry the entire weight of the world on your shoulders.

You don’t have to do it alone.

In this post, you’ll learn how to begin pursuit of what matters most by finding your one thing.

You Can’t Fix Everything (So Stop Trying)

Did you know that we’ve almost eclipsed the 8 Billion mark in our world’s population?

That’s right!

0.04 Billion (40 million) people to go and we will hit this incredible landmark.

There are plenty of other people in the world to champion causes.

You do not have to do it yourself.

Let me repeat that…

You do not have to support every cause that comes your way.

Two reasons:

  1. You don’t have time: You only have a limited time on this Earth. You can’t possibly lead the charge or even take part in every problem that might give you the feels.
  2. You’re needed elsewhere: There is a perfect fit for you. Somewhere there is a cause and a deeper purpose that awaits you. Don’t be distracted by a bad fit.

What you can’t do, I might. Your strengths might overcome my weaknesses and vice versa.

We are so much stronger together.

Let someone else pick up the slack. Concentrate on your one thing and do it as well as you can.

That’s it. That’s all you have to do.

Let the burden drop from your shoulders. Don’t carry that weight. Let it go, and then dive in.

3 Ways to Find Your One Thing

I’m convinced the world would be a better place if we all would find our passion and pursue it at all costs.

I’m not alone in this thinking. There’s been much talk as of late in the self-improvement arena about focusing a single strong desire toward a goal.

Gary Keller in his book The One Thing, shares:

Extraordinary results happen only when you give the best you have to become the best you can be at your most important work.

But how do you get started towards figuring out what your singular focus should be?

I have three ideas for you:

1) Ask, “What would I do if I could do anything?”

This question is the first step of a long journey towards figuring out what the world needs you to do.

If you could spend your days doing any one thing, what would that one thing be?

You don’t have to know the answer right now.

A quote often attributed to Mark Twain says:

Live by this motto. If you haven’t experienced your second best day yet, get busy figuring out what you really want to do with your life.

You owe it not only to yourself, but to everyone who will benefit when you are doing what you’re meant to do.

The cause of inaction is too great for you to miss this.

Other people will lose out if you either refuse, or try to do it all.

You have the chance to affect others positively. Or not… It’s your choice.

2) Deeply Reflect: What bothers you the most?

Think about what bugs you the most.

Not what bothers your parents, spouse, or friends.

What causes a fire to erupt in your gut?

Often, the thing that cuts your heart in half is calling you to it.

It’s time to answer the call.

3) Do something. Anything. Take action.

Take action that doesn’t involve sitting on the couch complaining to your spouse about X problem and then doing nothing about it (turns out I’m the champion of this sport). Move forward wherever you are.

Don’t start with a three page plan. Without a plan, you still will make progress if you take action.

Some people plan, plan, plan and then never do anything.

Reflection is important, but Action is the lifeblood of any good plan.

A plan on its own is pointless without its action counterpart.

Take action in a direction and you will find success.

Balance the opposing dimensions of reflection and action by achieving 75%-80% confidence of any next step.

You’re never going to be 100% sure of any major life decision.

Get as close to 80% sure as you can and then go for it. Learn along the way. Don’t be afraid to fail.

Embrace the call and run towards it. Only you can do what you can do. You have tremendous power to influence others. Find your groove and fly.

I’ll be there alongside doing my thing, and watching with pride as you do yours.

All the best,

-Jordan