What's Your One Thing?

byJendayi Harris

Instead of a resolution, which only 8% of people keep the whole year, try a new habit. What’s the ONE Thing you can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?

As we approach the New Year, consider what is that one habit that if by doing it, you could have the most impact on the rest of your life.

For example in 2009 I started exercising. I was tired of the Yo-Yo exercising, you know where you work out for a day and then your off the next year only to pick it back up for a day and let it go another few months? Yes, that.

So, I decided to do what Jerry Seinfeld did when he was becoming who he is. He kept a visible calendar in front of him for the year. Every single day that he wrote he marked a huge red X on that date. Easy, right? His goal, was NOT to break the red X's. That means, instead of the goal of becoming a $240 million net worth comedian or the goal of have a hit TV show, his goal was the habit at the heart of his craft. To write, consistently. The one habit that moved mountains, was just that writing.

Of course to break my yo-yo exercising, I used stickers. I'm the girlie girl type for sure. But, whatever that habit is that you think will make everything else for you easier or none essential, focus on just that this year. Keep something visual so you can track your progress and have a sense of accomplishment. It works. There's few people who can go into a new year without any type of hope, wish, goal, or resolution. So transform your hope, wish, goal or resolution, into the daily habit that will yield the biggest results.

In the book, The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, excellent book on productivity, focus and time blocking, that's the question posed for each area of life. What’s the ONE thing you can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary? Overall or in specific areas of life - health, finances, relationships, work, family, parenting, or business. It could be a habit, project, goal, bucket list item or forgiveness for someone in your life.

This year, my one thing, is sugar. The research is in, sugar is one nitrogen atom different than cocaine and causes cloudy thinking, distraction, lethargy and stubborn weight gain. I don't eat much sugar, but what I do eat hinders me. I no longer desire the effects. So as tough as it is, for the most part it's gotta go! Sayonara sugar!

What is your One thing?