517. How This Couple Transformed Their Marriage, Career & Life with The ONE Thing

Before discovering The ONE Thing, Mauricio and Christine were stuck in survival mode—juggling kids, work, and the chaos of daily life. Everything changed when a copy of The ONE Thing landed on Mauricio’s desk. What started as reluctant curiosity grew into a shared commitment: they embraced the 411 and time-blocking, turning scattered days into intentional progress. By having weekly conversations and getting clear on each other’s goals, they found real alignment and deeper intimacy in their marriage. The impact didn’t stop at home—they began applying these tools to their business and community, helping others lead with intention. Today, their ordinary days look extraordinary, simply because they made space to dream and do the work together. Challenge of the Week: Make space for silence this week. Pick a routine task—whether it’s walking, driving, or doing the dishes—and turn off the noise. No radio, no podcast, no distractions. Just give yourself a little space to think (or not think), and see what comes up. Sometimes, the best ideas and clarity come in those quiet moments. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How chaos becomes the “new normal” for so many couples with young kids Using the 411 and time-blocking to align goals and schedules as a family The power of intentional conversations for building intimacy and dreaming bigger Links & Tools from This Episode: Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

This week, we’re doing something special. I’m bringing you a live keynote from none other than Gary Keller, where he shares what he calls the “10 Bold Truths”—a collection of powerful ideas designed to help you build an extraordinary life. These truths are the backbone of our BOLD training at Keller Williams, and they align beautifully with the principles behind The ONE Thing. From mindset and focus to accountability and love, each truth challenges the way we think and invites us to make braver choices. You’ll hear Gary unpack timeless wisdom like “Happiness is a choice,” “The path is in the math,” and “No one succeeds alone.” I chime in between each with some of my own reflections and applications you can take into your own business and life. This episode is about more than real estate—it’s about being bold in every part of your life. Challenge of the Week: Think of someone you truly love and tell them. Just one person. Pick up the phone or send a text. You’ll never regret letting them know. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why happiness isn’t circumstantial—it’s a conscious choice How to use math and measurement to break down your goals The importance of choosing accountability over victimhood Links & Tools from This Episode: Read The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan Read Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Read Mindset by Carol Dweck Read The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Past episode: 483. Are You Using This Simple Tool to Make Better Decisions? Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

What does it really take to live your best life? This week, we’re joined by Gary Keller for part one of a special two-part conversation about “The Way”—five powerful concepts for leveling up, drawn from the newly rewritten Bold course. Gary and I walk through each idea, starting with the Misogi Challenge: setting a focused, time-limited challenge that pushes you beyond your comfort zone and transforms what you think is possible. Next, we explore the power of deliberate discomfort (or “exposure therapy”)—intentionally facing the things that make you uneasy, one tiny step at a time, to build real courage. Then comes Kaizen, the practice of making small, consistent improvements and trusting in the magic of compounding results. We dig into the science of habit formation—what Gary calls “the Myelin Effect”—and how repeating the right actions literally rewires your brain for success. Finally, we talk about the ancient art of Kintsugi: embracing your setbacks and using them to become stronger and more beautiful than before. These aren’t just concepts; they’re practices that can change your trajectory. Whether you’re taking on a bold challenge, working to expand your comfort zone, or putting the pieces back together after a setback, The Way is about choosing intentional growth, again and again. Challenge of the Week: Pick one small, uncomfortable thing you’ve been avoiding—something that nudges you out of your comfort zone. Maybe it’s asking for help, sending food back at a restaurant, or speaking up in a meeting. Take one tiny step toward it this week and see how it feels. Remember, progress starts at the edge of your comfort zone. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why taking on big, time-limited goals can change your self-belief How deliberate discomfort expands your comfort zone and reduces fear Why tiny, consistent improvements and habit formation are the real keys to mastery Links & Tools from This Episode: Training: BOLD course by Keller Williams Read Grit by Angela Duckworth Read Atomic Habits by James Clear Watch: Episode 512. Stuck Building Your Personal Brand? Here's How to Break Through with Rory Vaden Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

If you love learning but find yourself stuck in preparation mode, this episode is for you. I sit down with Pat Flynn—entrepreneur, host of Smart Passive Income, and author of Lean Learning—to talk about why consuming more information doesn’t always lead to better results. Pat shares how learning can become a form of procrastination, why we fall into the trap of information overload, and how to break the cycle by focusing on purposeful action. We unpack strategies like just-in-time learning, unsubscribing from distractions, and using the “joy of opting out” to reclaim your focus. Pat also introduces the idea of micro-mastery: zooming in on the smallest skill you can improve to create real momentum. Learning less—and acting more—might be your fastest path to extraordinary results. Challenge of the Week: Pick a very small part of your craft or business—the tiniest sliver that matters—and focus on getting a little bit better at just that. Micro-mastery starts with one small improvement. What’s yours? *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How to tell if you’re stuck in learning as a form of procrastination The difference between just-in-case and just-in-time learning How to use micro-mastery to accelerate your growth Links & Tools from This Episode: Read Lean Learning by Pat Flynn Listen to the Smart Passive Income podcast Read Will It Fly? by Pat Flynn Read Moonlighting on the Internet by Yanik Silver Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2025? If you’re like me, you’ve probably had your head down, working hard, only to look up and wonder where the year went. It’s normal to drift away from your original goals or even forget them entirely by this point in the year. Life gets complex, priorities shift, and sometimes what mattered in January doesn’t feel as urgent now. The good news? It’s never too late to reset, and that’s exactly what this episode is about. I walk you through the RESET process—a simple, five-step system we’ve been using for years to help people get back on track with what matters most. We start by reflecting on the goals you set at the beginning of the year and reconnecting with the ones that truly matter. Next, we evaluate your current progress and identify the gaps. From there, it’s all about simplifying your focus, establishing specific activities that move the needle, and time blocking those actions so your priorities are reflected on your calendar. Along the way, I share how constraints and limitations can actually spark your best ideas and fuel real progress. By taking just an hour to reset your focus now, you give yourself a much better chance to finish the year strong—and maybe even surpass what you thought was possible. The RESET process is here to help you ditch the guilt, reconnect with your core values, and recommit to what matters most for the rest of 2025. Challenge of the Week: Pull out your calendar and commit to a RESET. Block 30-60 minutes to work through the five steps—reflect, evaluate, simplify, establish, and time block. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How goal drift and unconscious quitting happen Why constraints can actually drive innovation and progress The five-step RESET framework to course-correct at mid-year Links & Tools from This Episode: Listen to Episode 490. Beyond Goal Setting: The Relationship That Makes Success Inevitable Listen to Episode 483. Are You Using This Simple Tool to Make Better Decisions? Sign up for The Twentypercenter newsletter Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

What happens when everything you’ve built suddenly disappears? In this episode, Jay Papasan sits down with Rory Vaden—someone who knows what it’s like to lose everything and rebuild from scratch. After Rory and his wife, AJ, were forced out of the business they’d spent 12 years building, they had to start over with nothing but a non-compete, their expertise, and a lot of hard-won lessons. That painful reset led to the creation of Brand Builders Group, a business built around the exact process Rory and AJ used to reinvent themselves—one that now serves some of the world’s top personal brands. But at its core, their conversation with Jay isn’t just about strategy. It’s about identity, focus, and service. Rory explains why most people get stuck on the wrong side of what he calls “Sheehan’s Wall”—trying to emulate big names by doing too much, too soon, with scattered focus. True breakthrough comes from relentless focus on one thing: the unique problem you solve, in one word, for a specific “who.” Together, Jay and Rory break down the six key questions that define your brand DNA, explore how your past pain and setbacks can prepare you for your greatest impact, and discuss why the person you’re best positioned to serve is who you once were. Challenge of the Week: Get out your notebook and journal your answers to these questions: What challenges have I conquered? What setbacks have I survived? Who is the person I once was—and how could I serve that version of myself? Use this reflection as your first step toward clarity and breakthrough. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How to find your “one word” problem and the audience you’re meant to serve Why focus beats diversification—especially when building a personal brand The six questions behind Brand Builders Group’s brand DNA process Links & Tools from This Episode: Read Wealthy and Well-Known by Rory & AJ Vaden Brand Builders Group: freebrandtraining.com/TOT Read Take the Stairs by Rory Vaden Listen to The School of Greatness podcast with Lewis Howes Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

When The ONE Thing first came out, Brandon Turner didn’t just read it—he made it his only book for an entire year, reading it cover to cover more than 20 times. The result? He didn’t just hit his audacious goal of acquiring $50 million in real estate in three years—he soared past it, buying $300 million worth. In this episode, Brandon pulls back the curtain on exactly how he did it. We talk about how to audit your time, create a “not to do” list, and get ruthless about delegating anything that isn’t your highest-value work. Brandon shares the keystone habits that unlock everything else, the difference between setting a vision and just dreaming, and why tracking your personal life is just as important as any business KPI. We also dive into practical strategies for goal setting with your spouse, the importance of supporting each other’s dreams (even if they’re wildly different), and how habit tracking can turn your goals into a game you actually want to play. Challenge of the Week: Pick one habit you want to build. Make yourself a simple tracker—just a piece of paper and a pen will do. Track it every day this week. At the end of the week, look at your score. Did you hit your target? If not, what got in the way? Gamify it, and see how much progress you can make, one small step at a time. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: How to reverse engineer your vision down to a single next step Why your “not to do” list is just as important as your to-do list How gamifying your habits can make growth inevitable Links & Tools from This Episode: Learn more: BiggerPockets Listen: The Better Life Podcast Read: Vivid Vision by Cameron Herold Follow Brandon on Instagram: @beardybrandon Connect with Brandon on LinkedIn Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

We spend a lot of time worrying about uncertainty—tariffs, market volatility, the looming threat of a recession. But what if these aren’t just obstacles, but some of the greatest opportunities for your business or career? History shows that recessions often create more millionaires than any other time and open the door for companies to leap ahead. In this episode, I break down the seven strategies you can use to become recession-proof. These are the same ideas that helped Keller Williams not just survive the Great Recession, but emerge as the #1 company in our industry. We talk about how to develop a resilient mindset, get lean and cut unnecessary expenses, and focus ruthlessly on what actually moves the needle. I walk you through practical exercises—like the ABCs of expenses—and challenge you to find your margin so you can weather any market. We’ll cover how to stay agile and adapt your business model for the market ahead, not the one you’re leaving behind. You’ll hear why being connected—to your team, your network, your vendors, and even your competitors—is more important than ever. And we dig into the importance of becoming irreplaceable to your clients, plus how to become a beacon of leadership when everyone else is running for cover. The truth is, change is coming whether we like it or not. The only question is: will you be ready to seize the opportunity? Challenge of the Week: Set aside an hour to do the ABCs of expenses. Grab three months of statements and label every expense as an A (absolutely essential), B (optional), or C (stuff you can cut right now). Take action to reduce or eliminate your Bs and Cs—your business and your bank account will thank you. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why uncertainty and recessions can be your biggest opportunity Seven strategies to thrive and gain market share in tough times How to cut costs, get focused, and become irreplaceable Links & Tools from This Episode: Read Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times by Gary Keller, Jay Papasan, and Dave Jenks Read Grit by Angela Duckworth Read Antifragile by Nassim Taleb Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

If you’ve ever struggled to get started, finish what you begin, or felt like your brain just doesn’t operate like everyone else’s—you’re not alone. Jay sits down with ADHD coach and entrepreneur Tyler Elstrom to unpack what’s really going on in the ADHD brain, from dopamine regulation to executive function to emotional overwhelm. Tyler introduces the “INCUP” framework—five triggers that can help neurodivergent people enter flow, stay productive, and feel fulfilled: Interesting, New, Challenging, Urgent, and Passionate. When these five levers are present, the ADHD brain actually produces more dopamine than a neurotypical brain—and that’s where the superpower lies. This episode is packed with practical strategies for tapping into motivation without relying on shame or stress. Tyler and Jay talk about everything from time blindness to body doubling to why a $7 coffee might just be the best investment you can make in your focus. Whether you have ADHD or love someone who does, this episode is a compassionate, empowering deep dive into a better way of working. Challenge of the Week: When you fall short—miss a deadline, forget something, or show up late—say “Oops” and move on. Practice offering yourself grace instead of shame. This one small habit can completely change your relationship with productivity and self-worth. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why ADHD brains don’t respond to rewards the same way—and how to work around it The five productivity triggers that flood the ADHD brain with dopamine Why harshness and shame are counterproductive (and what to do instead) Links & Tools from This Episode: Tyler Elstrom’s website: ADHDTyler.com Follow Tyler on Instagram: @tylerelstrom_ Read Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA

Are you succeeding so slowly you think you're failing—or failing so slowly you think you're succeeding?” In this solo episode, Jay Papasan introduces the concept of quality inflation: the idea that the standards for average—and especially extraordinary—performance keep rising every year. Drawing inspiration from the Red Queen Hypothesis and his experience coaching high achievers, Jay breaks down what it takes to stay competitive in a world where standing still means falling behind. We walk through five powerful strategies to help you not just survive but thrive in a high-growth environment: from “reading for what you need,” to modeling excellence, to building accountability into your life. Whether you’re early in your journey or already well into your career, these practical tools can help you identify your biggest opportunity for growth and take the first step toward it. Challenge of the Week: What’s your biggest opportunity for growth—the one you’ve been avoiding because it’s painful, uncomfortable, or ego-bruising? Choose one strategy from the episode (books, courses, mentor, group, coach) and take the first step toward improving it this week. *** To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods. We talk about: Why “change is a strategy, not a threat” What the Red Queen Hypothesis can teach us about professional growth Five ways to beat quality inflation in your industry Links & Tools from This Episode: Free Resources Want to be a guest or share feedback? Email [email protected] or send us an audio note at Speakpipe.com/the1thing. Produced by NOVA