How to make life easier for yourself

In the past few weeks I have spent hours (and hours) walking in Kent and the North Downs preparing for the #MightyHike South Downs marathon hike.

Sometimes I just walk and enjoy the amazing views. Sometimes when I walk I listen to music. Sometimes a podcast or two.

Sometimes I even listen to my own podcast and I’m constantly amazed at the wise words we share about success, leadership and business On The Tipping Point!

Listening to podcasts is a brilliant way to get inspired, discover new ways of thinking or make life decisions. One recent podcast encouraged me to focus on setting big hairy goals and that’s what I’ve done!

One recent podcast promised to make life easier for yourself. You’re up for making life easier, aren’t you? Let me tell you how.

The One Thing

Have you read The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan?

On my training hikes, I’ve been listening to Josh Friberg’s Concept 1 podcast. His podcast is based on their book. Their concept being that we can all achieve extraordinary results and extraordinary success when we focus on just one thing.

How do you know what that one thing is?

It’s all very well saying “focus on just one thing” but how do you know what that one thing need to be? The trick is to use the ‘focusing’ question:

“What’s the ONE Thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”

This isn’t just helpful for your big life goals or your career ambitions – use this question to help you focus at work, or on your career or business.

For example at the start of your workday when you look at your ‘To Do’ list and inwardly groan. Get clarity on where to start by asking yourself “What’s the ONE Thing I can do today such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”

• Maybe it’s that conversation with your boss you’ve been putting off. Or responding to that difficult client who’s arguing over the contract details. Get that sorted and off your list, and your day will be so much easier.

Or if you’re looking for new career opportunities “What’s the ONE Thing I can do for my career search this week such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”

• Maybe it’s updating your LinkedIn profile (and you know where you can get a little help with that, right??); or it’s reaching out to your network to let them know you’re looking for a new role or it’s taking a deep breath and calling the Head of Finance at that firm you’ve always wanted to work for.

Or if you’re struggling to get the work-life balance that’s right for you, “What’s the ONE Thing I can do to get the right work-life balance such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”

• Maybe it’s as simple as reducing your stress levels with a half hour walk every lunchtime. Or decide to work from home one day a week. Or resign from the social committee at work because it’s stopped being fun.

Just one thing 

The great thing about this focusing question is that it leads you to do just ONE thing. Just one step. One action. It might be a big thing or a small thing. It doesn’t lead you to a choice or range of things. Just one thing. And it doesn’t matter whether you know what the next thing is. Taking that first step will make the next step easier. It’s the start of a domino effect.

Over to you 

Try it out – use the focusing question to get clarity on one area of your life or work to identify one thing you can do so that everything else is easier or unnecessary.

If you like this, leave a comment below. I’d love to know what you think about this approach on how to make life easier for yourself.