The Power of 'This': Why Choosing One Thing is Your Ultimate Productivity Hack

Does your to-do list feel less like a plan and more like a novel you’ll never finish? Are you juggling a dozen browser tabs, three half-finished projects, and the nagging feeling that you’re busy but not actually accomplishing anything important? If you just nodded, you’re not alone. We live in a culture that glorifies the hustle, praises the multitasker, and sells us the myth that doing more is the same as achieving more.

But what if the secret to unlocking true productivity and deep satisfaction isn’t about adding more to your plate? What if it’s about taking things away? What if the key is to harness the immense, underrated power of focusing on just one thing? This isn’t about minimalism for its own sake; it’s a strategic approach to work and life that allows you to make meaningful progress on the things that truly matter. It’s the power of 'This'.

What is the "Power of This"?

The "Power of This" is a simple yet profound concept: it's the conscious decision to dedicate your full, undivided attention to a single task, project, or goal for a specific period. Think of it like a magnifying glass. Diffused sunlight on a leaf will warm it, but when you focus that same sunlight through a magnifying glass, you create a concentrated beam of energy powerful enough to start a fire.

Your attention works the same way. When it's scattered across emails, social media notifications, and a half-dozen small tasks, its impact is minimal. You feel busy, but the needle doesn't move. When you channel all that mental energy into one important thing, you create the conditions for breakthroughs, high-quality work, and that elusive state of 'flow'.

"To do two things at once is to do neither."
– Publilius Syrus

This idea isn't new. It’s the engine behind concepts like Cal Newport's "Deep Work" and Gary Keller's "The ONE Thing." It’s about rejecting the false promise of multitasking and embracing the focused intensity of single-tasking.

The Surprising Science Behind Single-Tasking

Our brains are not wired for multitasking, despite what we might believe. What we perceive as multitasking is actually rapid-fire 'context switching'—your brain frantically jumping from one task to another. This process comes with a heavy neurological price tag.

• Cognitive Costs: Every time you switch tasks, your brain has to disengage from the first one and load the context for the new one. Research from the American Psychological Association suggests that this can slash your productivity by as much as 40%. These micro-seconds of re-orientation add up, leaving you more tired and less effective.
• The Gateway to Flow: The state of 'flow', coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, is that magical zone where you're fully immersed and energized by an activity. Time seems to melt away, and your performance skyrockets. The non-negotiable entry ticket to this state? Undivided focus on a single, challenging task.
• Strengthening Neural Pathways: When you concentrate deeply on a single skill or piece of information, you encourage the growth of myelin, a fatty tissue that insulates your neural circuits. The more you focus, the thicker the myelin sheath becomes, allowing data to pass more efficiently. In short, single-tasking literally makes you smarter and better at what you do.

How Multitasking is Secretly Sabotaging You

We often multitask because we believe it's more efficient. The reality is the exact opposite. Juggling tasks not only produces lower-quality work but also increases stress and mental fatigue. Let's break down the real cost.

Single-Tasking vs. Multitasking: The Real-World Impact

4 Practical Steps to Harness the Power of 'This'

Understanding the theory is one thing; putting it into practice is another. Here are four actionable strategies you can start using today.

1. Schedule a 'This' Hour

This is the cornerstone. Block out 60-90 minutes in your calendar every single day dedicated to your most important task. Treat this appointment with yourself as if it were a meeting with your most important client. During this hour: no email, no phone, no social media. Just you and your 'This'.

2. Tame Your Digital Environment

Your environment dictates your focus. Before you begin your 'This' Hour, take five minutes to set the stage for success. Close all unnecessary browser tabs. Turn off notifications on your computer and phone (or better yet, put your phone in another room). Use focus-enhancing apps like Freedom or Forest if you need extra help resisting digital temptations.

3. Batch Similar 'Shallow' Tasks

The Power of 'This' can also apply to your less important work. Instead of answering emails as they arrive, designate specific blocks of time for them. For example, check and respond to emails for 30 minutes at 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. This makes "clearing my inbox" the 'This' for that period, preventing constant interruptions throughout your day.

4. Use the Two-Minute Rule to Triage

Coined by David Allen, the two-minute rule is a brilliant way to handle small, incoming tasks without derailing your focus. The rule is simple: if a new task appears and you estimate it will take less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. If it will take longer, either delegate it or schedule it for later. This prevents your 'This' Hour from being hijacked by a quick, distracting request.

Choosing Your 'This': A Simple Framework

Okay, so you're sold on the idea. But with so many competing priorities, how do you identify your single most important task? The key is to find the 'lead domino'.

In his book, The ONE Thing, Gary Keller provides the ultimate focusing question:

"What's the ONE Thing I can do, such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?"

Use this question to sift through your to-do list. Don't look for what's most urgent or what's easiest. Look for the task with the most leverage—the one that will create momentum and make other tasks fall into place. That is your 'This'.

Here's a simple process:

1. Brain Dump: Write down everything you feel you need to do, both personal and professional.
2. Apply the Focusing Question: Go through the list and ask the question for each item. What is the one thing that, if completed, would make the biggest positive impact?
3. Identify the Domino: Circle it. This is your 'This' for the day or week.
4. Commit and Schedule: Put it in your calendar as a 'This' Hour. Defend that time fiercely.

Conclusion: Embrace the Simplicity of One

The modern world will constantly tempt you with the siren song of 'more'. More tabs, more projects, more notifications. But true progress and fulfillment are found not in breadth, but in depth. By intentionally choosing one thing, you are giving yourself the gift of clarity, focus, and momentum.

It's a rebellion against the culture of distraction. It’s a commitment to quality over quantity. And it's the most reliable path to achieving your most ambitious goals. So, ask yourself the question: What will be your 'This' tomorrow? Choose it, commit to it, and watch as meaningful progress begins to unfold.