The Power of the One Thing: A Game Changer for ADHD

Welcome back, everyone! It's consecutive day 1604 of my diary as a Runpreneur, where I share my journey of run vlogging around the world barefoot while aiming to save the lives of children. Today's topic is particularly close to my heart: the power of the One Thing and how it can be a game changer for those of us who struggle with ADHD.

Introduction to the One Thing

Let's dive right in. If you haven't heard of the concept of the "One Thing," allow me to enlighten you. It stems from a famous book—whose author escapes my memory right now, but I promise to share it in another episode or provide a link below. The core idea of the One Thing is beautifully simplistic: What's the single most important thing you can do today that will provide you the most progress by tomorrow?

ADHD and Continuous Improvement

As someone who has learned to thrive with ADHD rather than suffer from it, I've built various mechanisms, routines, and rules to counteract the negative aspects. One of the key things I've embraced is the process of continuous improvement. Always ask yourself, “Could I do this slightly better tomorrow?” If we don’t adapt or embrace change, we end up repeating the same actions expecting different results, which is the very essence of insanity.

The Racing Mind of ADHD

People with ADHD often have minds that race at a thousand miles an hour, conjuring wacky and wonderful ideas. While that can be incredibly creative, it also means we mentally fatigue quicker. Our window for hyperfocus is often shorter compared to those without ADHD.

The Game-Changing Concept

This is where the One Thing becomes revolutionary for people with ADHD. When our minds race and fatigue quickly, focusing our limited attention on the single most crucial task can yield dramatic results. It's the epitome of "less is more."

A Real-Life Example

Today, for instance, I had the chance to go on BBC Radio Cambridge. It was a high-pressure environment where I participated in a panel show discussing current affairs while promoting my Runpreneur Challenge. Given the mental energy required, I knew this was the One Thing I needed to focus on.

Once the show ended, I found my energy depleted. The other commitments I had for the day, including meetings and additional tasks, seemed almost impossible to tackle. This experience reaffirmed my belief in the power of focusing on the most important task. Despite the mental fatigue, executing well on this single task made the day productive.

Leveraging Systems and People

Building businesses while managing ADHD requires leveraging people, systems, processes, and data. This way, the continuous progress doesn’t solely rely on my energy levels. Employing the One Thing methodology helps not just myself, but also my team members to move the most important tasks forward.

Conclusion

To wrap up, the power of the One Thing is incredibly beneficial for anyone, particularly those with ADHD. By identifying and focusing on the most important task each day, we can make significant strides and achieve more, even if it means completing fewer tasks overall.

Understanding this concept allows me to ensure that every day is a productive day, no matter how short my window of hyperfocus might be. If you haven't read the book "The One Thing," I highly recommend it. Implementing its principles can genuinely transform how you approach your day, your goals, and your life.

Thank you for tuning in today! If you have questions or comments, feel free to drop me a line. And remember, if you believe in my mission of saving the lives of children by attempting the ultimate ultramarathon of run vlogging on consecutive days around the world barefoot, do subscribe, share, like, and comment. More visibility means more funds raised, and ultimately, more children’s lives saved.

Stay positive, stay happy, and I'll see you again tomorrow.

Kevin