The ONE Thing

We’re closing out the year with a special highlight reel from some of Jay Papasan’s favorite conversations of 2025, all centered on two big themes: taking action and sustaining action. On the “taking action” side, Jenny Wood reframes fear as a signal of agency, Pat Flynn walks us through his “DeLorean” future-casting exercise, and Sahil Bloom challenges us to let our calendars prove what truly matters. Morgan Housel explores defining “enough” beyond money, Brandon Turner breaks big dreams into MINS—most important next steps—and Anne-Laure invites us to lower the stakes with tiny experiments instead of perfectionism. On the “sustaining action” side, Coach Jordan Freed shares his awareness–agency–accountability cycle, Chris explains why self-care is a strategy (not selfish), Dr. Robin Hanley-Defoe shows how to process emotion in real time, and Liz Bohannon gives us a practical path to building real community. Revisit the moments that moved you most, then dive into the full episodes linked in the show notes to go deeper and share them with someone who needs them. Challenge of the Week: Pick one lesson from this episode and turn it into a simple daily practice for the next week. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: [00:00] Why This Episode Exists and What We’re Reflecting On [01:44] Fear as a Compass and a Source of Agency (Jenny Wood) [06:01] Using the DeLorean Exercise to Gain Perspective [09:31] What Would a Stranger Say About Your Priorities (Sahil Bloom) [12:05] Defining Enough Beyond Money [14:29] What Is the Most Important Next Step (MINS) [17:21] Why Consistency Is Intensity (Gary Keller) [21:20] Lowering the Stakes with Tiny Experiments (Anne-Laure Le Cunff) [24:51] How Long Success Really Takes (Dorie Clark) [30:11]  Why Self-Care Is a Strategy, Not a Reward (Chris, The Long Haul Leader) [34:04] Processing Emotion Instead of Carrying It (Dr. Robin Hanley-Defoe) [37:26] Building Community Through Consistent Rhythms [42:53] Choosing One Lesson and Carrying It Forward Links & Tools from This Episode: The Unconventional Traits That Fast-Track Success | Jenny Wood and Jay Papasan Why Smart People Stay Stuck in "Getting Ready" Mode | Pat Flynn & Jay Papasan Define Success on Your Own Terms | Sahil Bloom & Jay Papasan The Art of Spending Money (And Why Most of Us Get It Wrong) | Morgan Housel & Jay Papasan How to 6X Your Goals Using The ONE Thing | Jay Papasan & Brandon Turner Tiny Experiments: The Neuroscience of Getting Unstuck | Anne-Laure Le Cunff and Jay Papasan The Way: 5 Principles That Create Extraordinary Results | Gary Keller & Jay Papasan The 10 BOLD Truths for Building an Amazing Life | Gary Keller & Jay Papasan How to Win The Long Game (When Everyone Else Plays Short) | Jay Papasan & Dorie Clark The 4 Hidden Thieves Destroying Your Productivity | Jay Papasan & Jordan Freed How to Lead for the Long Haul Without Burning Out | Jay Papasan & Chris Ducker Why High Achievers Burn Out (and What to Do About It) Leadership’s Hidden Cost: Loneliness - And How to Build Real Community | Jay Papasan & Liz Bohannon 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

So much of life runs on a “default” operating system—school, work, productivity tools, even your phone. But what happens when that default just doesn’t work for you? In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with BestSelf Co. founder Cathryn Lavery to talk about being diagnosed with ADHD at 31, realizing she was a “Mac forced to run PC software,” and how she began designing systems that actually matched her brain. Cathryn shares the INCUP framework (interest, novelty, challenge, urgency, passion) and how she uses gamification, short time frames, and keystone habits to stay focused. You’ll hear the origin story of the wildly successful BestSelf Journal, the shift from being a “product company” to a “problem company,” and how relationship struggles inspired tools like the Intimacy Deck and other conversation decks. Challenge of the Week: Start a “problem log” in the notes app on your phone. For the next week, capture every small friction or annoyance in your day—personal, work, or relationships. At the end of the week, review your list and ask: Which of these problems am I uniquely suited to solve? *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. Links & Tools from This Episode: Learn more about BestSelf Co. BestSelf Journal Intimacy Deck Self-Discovery Deck Core Values Deck Helm 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

Are you choosing the right book for the season you’re in—or just grabbing whatever looks interesting? In this solo episode, Jay Papasan walks through the ten books he recommends and gifts more than any others. These are not simply his “favorites”—they’re the books that shaped his craft as a writer, helped him level up as an entrepreneur, grounded him in discipline, clarified his thinking about money, and strengthened his understanding of character and growth.  Jay shares why "The War of Art" has become an annual reread for so many, how Peter Drucker’s "Managing Oneself" can reset your approach to personal mastery, why Ryan Holiday’s "The Obstacle Is the Way" remains essential for anyone doing hard things, and how Morgan Housel and JL Collins make the world of money simple, sane, and actionable. He also covers his top writing books, the research-backed lessons of Adam Grant, and the beautifully illustrated gift book he’s given to hundreds of clients. Challenge of the Week:   Ask yourself: "What is the book I need for this season of my life?" Read for what you need—not for what’s trending. Choose one book, commit to it, and let it gift you something you’ll someday pass forward. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why certain books become “sacred shelf” books Jay returns to again and again How creativity, discipline, money, and character are shaped by what we read How to choose the ONE book you need right now based on the season you’re in Books Mentioned: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield Managing Oneself by Peter Drucker The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday On Writing by Stephen King The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel Your First 1000 Copies by Tim Grahl Give and Take by Adam Grant The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy 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

Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything “right”? Performing at a high level, meeting everyone’s expectations, carrying the load—and yet still feel yourself slowly wearing down? It’s more common than you might realize—and there’s a way out. Jay Papasan is joined by behavioral psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe to unpack why the people who look the strongest are often the most at risk for burnout. She calls it “the curse of the strong”—the slow erosion that happens when high achievers overuse the very muscles that once made them successful. Together, they explore why burnout isn’t just about workload, but about losing agency, operating outside your values, and ignoring the subtle signs your body sends long before the collapse. Dr. Hanley-Dafoe shares practical, compassionate strategies to prevent burnout, restore alignment, and regain control—from tiny daily decisions to intentional pauses, grounding techniques, and value-based prioritization. Challenge of the Week:Look at your to-do list. If you have more than three items, you’re writing fiction. Remove one thing. Delegate it, delay it, or release it completely—and notice how much agency returns with that single act. To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about:  Why high performers are uniquely vulnerable to burnout    How agency, choice, and language shape resilience    The role of values alignment in preventing exhaustion and cynicism Links & Tools from This Episode: Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe  Follow Dr. Hanley-Dafoe on Instagram: @dr_robynehd Her Books: Calm Within the Storm  Stress Wisely 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

We all want to make a difference — but how do you start giving when life already feels full? In this solo episode, Jay Papasan shares his personal “5 Step Giving Framework,” a simple and strategic way to turn good intentions into consistent action. Drawing from research, experience, and years of purposeful practice with his wife, Wendy, Jay outlines how gratitude, time, money, leadership, and wealth form a natural progression in becoming a generous, fulfilled person. You’ll hear stories of everyday generosity, examples from inspiring philanthropists, and practical steps for integrating giving into your daily routine — even when resources are tight. The goal isn’t just to give more, but to give smarter and more intentionally. Challenge of the Week:For the next seven days, be purposefully thankful to one person each day. Write a note, say it out loud, or send a message — and notice how that simple act of gratitude shifts your energy and perspective. To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: The research-backed benefits of giving Jay’s 5 Step Giving Framework How small, consistent acts create big impact Links & Tools from This Episode: Give and Take by Adam Grant KW Cares & KW NextGen Follow Jay on Instagram 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