The Power of ONE: How Focusing on One Thing Can Lead to Extraordinary Success
In a world filled with distractions, competing priorities, and an overwhelming number of tasks, it’s easy to feel scattered. Many of us try to juggle multiple goals at once, thinking this is the key to success. However, extraordinary success often boils down to focusing on just ONE thing—the one passion, skill, or goal that drives us and shapes our actions. This principle, known as the ONE Thing, has been a common denominator in the stories of highly successful people worldwide.
Let’s explore how this idea applies to real-life examples, especially in the Indian context, and understand why focusing on the ONE Thing can be the game-changer that takes your career, business, and life to the next level.
Table of Contents
The ONE Passion That Defines You
Think of anyone you admire for their success. More often than not, their journey began with a deep passion for something specific, something they cared about so much that it became the focal point of their life. Passion isn’t just an abstract idea; it’s what drives people to put in the hours, to practice relentlessly, and to never give up when the going gets tough.
Consider the story of Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys. Murthy’s passion for technology and his desire to contribute to India’s place in the global IT industry were the driving forces behind Infosys. Murthy started Infosys in 1981 with just ₹10,000, borrowed from his wife Sudha Murthy. At a time when India wasn’t on the global map for technology, Murthy had a clear focus: to make Infosys a world-class IT services company. This ONE passion for technology, combined with his focus on developing world-class software solutions, helped Infosys become a leader in the industry. Today, Infosys is a global powerhouse, but it all started with Murthy’s passion and a focused mission.
The story of Sudha Murthy, Narayana Murthy’s wife, is also an inspiring example of how ONE passion can create extraordinary results. Sudha Murthy is known for her work in education and social service. Her singular passion for improving access to education, especially for underprivileged children, led her to start several initiatives through the Infosys Foundation. Her drive to improve the quality of education in rural areas is a clear example of how focusing on ONE thing—education—can lead to impactful and lasting change.
Both Narayana and Sudha Murthy exemplify how focusing on a passion can turn into an extraordinary career and make a difference in the lives of millions. Their stories remind us that it’s not about doing everything, but about doing one thing with unwavering focus.
The ONE Skill That Can Change Everything
While passion is often the starting point, turning that passion into a skill is the next step toward extraordinary success. The difference between those who dream and those who achieve lies in their ability to turn their passion into a mastery of a particular skill.
Take the story of Sachin Tendulkar, India’s cricketing legend. His passion for cricket was evident from an early age, but it was his relentless focus on honing his batting skills that made him one of the greatest cricketers of all time. Sachin didn’t just love cricket; he spent countless hours perfecting his technique, practicing every day, and constantly improving. His focus on mastering the art of batting became his ONE skill that took him from a promising young player to a global icon.
Sachin’s journey also highlights another key element of the ONE Thing: the more you practice a skill, the better you become at it, which leads to greater results. The better your results, the more motivated you become, which fuels even more practice. This virtuous cycle is what separates those who are good at something from those who achieve greatness.
Similarly, PV Sindhu, India’s badminton champion, became a household name because of her focus on mastering her badminton skills. From early morning practices to following a strict regimen, Sindhu’s commitment to improving her skills was unwavering. Her determination to perfect that ONE skill—her game—led her to become the first Indian woman to win a silver medal in badminton at the Olympics. Her story is a testament to how passion combined with focus on a singular skill can result in extraordinary success.
For individuals aiming for success, identifying a skill that aligns with their passion and working tirelessly to master it can be the key to breaking through barriers and reaching new heights.
The ONE Decision That Drives Your Journey
The concept of the ONE Thing isn’t just about passion or skill. It’s also about the pivotal decisions that shape the course of your life. Often, success boils down to that ONE decision that shifts the trajectory of your career or business.
Take the example of Nita Ambani, Chairperson of Reliance Foundation. When she decided to enter the world of philanthropy, she chose to focus on a singular mission: improving access to healthcare and education for India’s underserved communities. The Reliance Foundation is known for its work in transforming healthcare and education in rural India. Nita Ambani’s ONE decision to focus on these areas has had a profound impact, leading to the establishment of several initiatives that provide healthcare access to millions and quality education to thousands of children across the country.
Ratan Tata, another celebrated Indian business icon, made a similar decision when he chose to focus on ethics and innovation as the cornerstone of the Tata Group’s philosophy. His ONE decision to prioritize ethical business practices over short-term gains earned the Tata Group a reputation for integrity and trust, both in India and globally. This decision didn’t just make the Tata Group financially successful; it made them a respected name across industries. Tata’s focus on doing business the right way, and his decision to invest in innovation, turned Tata into a household name synonymous with trust.
These examples demonstrate that sometimes, extraordinary success is not about juggling multiple opportunities but about making one significant decision and committing fully to it. When you align your passion and skill with a decisive action, the results can be transformative.
The ONE Person Who Can Make All the Difference
Another powerful element of the ONE Thing is the idea that often, there’s just ONE person who plays a pivotal role in our journey toward success. No one achieves success in isolation. Behind every extraordinary achievement is usually one person who mentored, inspired, or supported that journey.
For Narayana Murthy, that person was his wife, Sudha Murthy, who supported him financially and emotionally when he started Infosys. For Sachin Tendulkar, it was his childhood coach, Ramakant Achrekar, who believed in him and pushed him to hone his skills. For Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, it was Professor Satish Dhawan, who gave him the opportunity to work on India’s space program and played a crucial role in shaping his career as a scientist.
Identifying that ONE person who can guide, support, or inspire you can be a critical factor in your journey. Sometimes, it’s a mentor who provides you with the wisdom and advice you need to navigate challenges. Other times, it’s a partner who gives you the encouragement and belief to keep going when things get tough.
In my own work as a coach, I see time and again how finding that ONE person—whether it’s a mentor, coach, or colleague—can make all the difference in someone’s personal or professional growth. That person can provide clarity, accountability, and support, helping you stay focused on your ONE Thing.
The ONE Life You Create Through Focus
All of these stories—from Narayana Murthy to Sachin Tendulkar to Nita Ambani—teach us one fundamental truth: focusing on the ONE Thing can lead to an extraordinary life. Whether it’s a passion, skill, decision, or person, the power of focusing on one thing at a time is transformative.
The key is to identify what matters most to you and then commit to it wholeheartedly. Once you find your ONE Thing, everything else becomes clearer. Your decisions become easier, your focus becomes sharper, and your actions become more effective.
In a world that often glorifies multitasking and spreading yourself thin, it’s important to remember that extraordinary success is built through singleness of purpose. It’s about channelling all your energy and focus into what matters most.
So, ask yourself: What is your ONE Thing? What is the passion, skill, decision, or person that could change the course of your life? When you find it, focus on it relentlessly, and you’ll be amazed at how far it can take you.
