Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter
Just One Thing
I’ve been reading a parenting book called, The Biggest Job We’ll Ever Have. One of the techniques it suggests is to have a kid focus on “just one thing” that’s within their control. So instead of getting stuck on “math is hard for me,” a child can focus on achieving the goal of arriving two minutes early to math class every day. I often remind clients that tiny tweaks in your habits can lead to incremental, but lasting improvement in areas that are challenging for us.
Thinking about doing “just one thing” reminded me of my college acting teacher, who in our senior year, trying to prepare us for life in the real world, said, “Do one thing every day that makes you an actor.” Excellent advice. I waited tables, I worked temporary receptionist jobs, but each day I also tried to do something that made me an actor, whether it was running a monologue before I left for work, mailing a headshot to an agent or dashing to an audition after work. Every day I tried to take one little step toward my goal.
Yes, some children always have a hard time with math, and I am no longer an actor. Nevertheless, I believe the “habit muscles” and discipline developed by “doing one thing” are transferable. Once you get in the habit of giving that kind of energy to whatever goal you are trying to achieve, the world is your oyster. You’ll see a million different ways you can apply this technique.
So, do one thing. Not a big thing, just one small thing, every single day. Something will shift, and you’ll sleep better at night knowing that even if nothing else went your way today, at least you made an effort towards your goal.