There was a time when I couldn’t start my day without a long to-do list. I’d write down everything I thought I needed to do—and still end the day feeling like I got nowhere.
It wasn’t that I wasn’t trying. I was just doing too much at once and finishing almost nothing.
That’s when I made one small change:
I started focusing on just one task at a time—what I now call The Rule of One.
What Is The Rule of One?
It’s exactly what it sounds like.
Every morning, before jumping into work, I ask myself:
“If I only finished one thing today, what would matter most?”
That’s it. That’s the task I center my day around.
It gets my best energy, my focus, and my time.
I still have other things to do, of course. But this one task becomes the anchor.
Why This Works for Me
Before this shift, my lists felt like pressure.
There was always more to do, and no clear place to begin.
Now, with one clear focus, I start my day with purpose—not stress.
- It’s easier to begin.
- Easier to stay focused.
- And way easier to feel accomplished, even on low-energy days.
Real-Life Example
Let’s say I have a bunch of errands, messages, and unfinished work.
Instead of trying to do everything, I ask:
“What’s one thing that will help me feel at peace by the end of today?”
Sometimes it’s a work task I’ve been putting off.
Other times, it’s calling someone I’ve been meaning to talk to.
Whatever it is—I do that first.
The Unexpected Bonus
Focusing on one thing often creates momentum.
Once I finish that one task, I want to keep going.
But the pressure’s off.
I already did what I came to do.
Anything else is just a bonus.
We often think productivity is about doing more. But sometimes, it’s about doing less—more intentionally.
If you’re feeling scattered, try asking yourself one simple question:
“What’s the one thing I can do today that truly matters?”
Write it down. Do that first.
You might be surprised how much that changes everything.
