I have a confession: When I first got my hands on a proof copy of The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, I was horrified (I knew Jay from my time at Keller Williams and he asked if some of us would like an early review copy).
At the time, I was running about seven different projects, juggling multiple businesses, and convinced that being scattered was just part of the entrepreneurial game. The idea of cutting things down to one? Unthinkable!
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Fast forward 10 years, and while I’m not down to just one thing, I’ve learned that focusing on fewer things means making more money with less stress. And guess what? That lesson has paid off big time in my business.
If you’re an entrepreneur or creative who constantly feels pulled in a million directions, this post is for you. Here are 11 reasons why focusing on ONE thing at a time will help you earn more, work smarter, and actually enjoy the process.
1. You’ll Finish Projects Faster (And Get Paid Sooner!)
Ever notice how unfinished projects don’t pay the bills? When you focus on one thing at a time, you actually complete client work, launch that course, or finish that painting—meaning you can finally get paid.
2. You’ll Avoid Costly Mistakes That Hurt Your Bottom Line
Rushing between projects leads to errors—sending the wrong invoice, messing up a design, or missing a client’s request. Slowing down and focusing prevents expensive mistakes and keeps your reputation solid.
3. Your Work Will Be More Valuable (Hello, Higher Prices!)
Quality work demands focus. When you’re fully present in a project, the results are better—and that means you can charge more. Clients and customers will gladly pay a premium for focused, high-quality work!
4. You’ll Actually Follow Through on Your Best Ideas
Ever get excited about a brilliant new idea… only to abandon it halfway through because another “brilliant” idea popped up? Yep, me too. Focusing on ONE project at a time means you actually finish what you start—and finishing is where the money is.
5. You’ll Market Yourself More Effectively
Trying to be everywhere at once (Instagram! YouTube! Pinterest! Email! Blogging!) leads to burnout and inconsistent marketing. Picking ONE platform to master before adding another makes your strategy more effective—and brings in more sales.
6. You’ll Reduce Stress and Decision Fatigue (So You Can Make Smarter Choices)
When your brain is overloaded with decisions, your judgment suffers. Simplifying and focusing on one thing at a time keeps your mind clear, so you make better, more profitable choices.
7. You’ll Strengthen Your Reputation as an Expert
People pay specialists more than generalists. When you focus on one niche, service, or skill, you become the go-to person—whether it’s for branding, business coaching, or watercolor portraits.
8. You’ll Increase Your Efficiency (More Time = More Money-Making Opportunities)
When you focus, you work faster. That means finishing projects in hours instead of days—freeing up time to take on more clients, create more products, or simply enjoy life outside of work.
9. You’ll Stay Consistent (Which Leads to More Sales & Clients)
Consistency builds trust. Whether you’re selling art, coaching, or services, showing up reliably (instead of bouncing between random projects) helps clients feel confident in hiring you.
10. You’ll Improve Your Customer Service (Which Leads to Repeat Business)
Happy clients come back—and they refer their friends. When you’re focused, you give clients the attention they deserve, which leads to more repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
11. You’ll Finally Achieve Your Income Goals Instead of Just Dreaming About Them
If your income feels stuck, lack of focus might be the culprit. Committing to ONE goal, project, or revenue stream at a time helps you gain momentum and hit those financial targets faster.
Conclusion
I get it—entrepreneurs and creatives don’t love the idea of focusing on just one thing. But scaling back and eliminating distractions doesn’t mean limiting yourself—it means giving yourself the space to truly thrive. Since narrowing my focus, I’ve become more productive, less stressed, and (best of all) way more profitable.
If you’re struggling to rein in your ideas and get more focused, my Finally Focused class can help. It’s designed to help entrepreneurs ditch distractions, streamline their work, and make real progress in their businesses.
So tell me—what’s the ONE thing you’re going to focus on this month? Let me know in the comments! And while you're here, check out these other helpful posts: