The ONE Thing book cover

The ONE Thing by Gary Keller Summary

The ONE Thing
Gary Keller
4.13 (72052 Reviews)
Self Help
Business
Productivity
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of The ONE Thing

Discover "The ONE Thing" - the 12-award-winning productivity bible translated into 26 languages. What's the single domino that will topple all your goals? Brandon Turner calls it life-changing. Multitasking is a myth - what's your ONE thing?

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Key takeaways

1

Why Everything You Know About Success Is Wrong

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What if the secret to extraordinary success isn't doing more, but doing less? Consider this: Apple became one of the world's most valuable companies not by creating hundreds of products, but by obsessing over a handful. When Steve Jobs returned in 1997, he slashed 70% of their offerings to focus on just four computers. That singular focus transformed a near-bankrupt company into a trillion-dollar empire. This counterintuitive truth-that less can create more-lies at the heart of a simple yet revolutionary question: "What's the ONE Thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?" This question has the power to cut through the noise of our distracted, overwhelmed lives and point us toward what truly matters.

2

The Physics of Success: How One Small Push Topples Mountains

3

The Myths That Keep You Scattered: Lies We Tell Ourselves

4

The Battery That Runs Down: Managing Your Mental Energy

5

From Someday Dreams to Today's Actions: Goal Setting That Actually Works

6

The Path to Mastery: Going From Good to Extraordinary

7

Living Without Regret: The Only Measure That Truly Matters

Explore Your Way of Learning
The ONE Thing isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Self Help. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to The ONE Thing Summary in 8 Minutes

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The ONE Thing Summary in 8 Minutes

Break down key ideas from The ONE Thing into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

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Flash Card Mode - Top 9 Insights from The ONE Thing in a Nutshell

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Top 9 Insights from The ONE Thing in a Nutshell

Distill The ONE Thing into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

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Fun Mode - The ONE Thing Lessons Told Through 22-Min Stories

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The ONE Thing Lessons Told Through 22-Min Stories

Experience The ONE Thing through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.

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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
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star
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
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