One Thing by Ron White

"Everybody I know says that they need just one thing... what they really mean is that they need just one thing more." —Rich Mullins (Singer/Songwriter)

"The trouble is not getting the man that you want. The trouble is wanting the man once you get him!" —Elizabeth Taylor, after her 7th marriage

Do you remember the success of the Interstate Department Store? No? Well, don't feel alone because I don't remember either. However, have you ever heard of Toys R Us? Guess what? It is the same store. The success of Toys R Us occurred when they chose to focus on ONE THING: toys.

How about 7Up? In the late 1970s, they had a 7.5% market share with one flavor of cola drink. Then they couldn't resist the lure of line extensions and, before you knew it, they had several flavors and a market share of 2.5%.

The lesson is: if you attempt to become everything to all people, you will surely only succeed in becoming nothing to everyone. In your personal life, you know the temptation. You know the temptation of always desiring what is on the other side or what you don't have. So you drop what is in your hand to grab something else—only to later wish you could have what you used to hold. This analogy could pertain to relationships, where you live, or even a career.

The trick to life is not getting what you want. It is wanting it once you get it. The challenge is to focus on one thing. I have a friend who has five or six great ideas to make money. Which one will succeed for her? As her friend, I hope one does. But, in my heart, I know that none of them will because she can't select ONE THING and focus on it. Therefore, all her ventures are doomed.

There is something to be said for the power of focus. In business, remember that IBM used to own the word computer. They no longer do and part of that is because they got into every business you can think of. Toys R Us owns "toys," FedEx owns the word "overnight." It is about ONE THING when it comes to branding.

In life, you will not find contentment by bouncing from one situation to the next. That will only come when you are able to rest and focus on ONE THING. Decide what is important to you and focus on that ONE THING for a successful business or life. Yes, there will be rough roads, but I assure you that the answer is not in the other hand.

Action Points:
1. Examine your life and ask yourself if you are focused.
2. Ask yourself what you could eliminate in your life that is simply a distraction
3. Question your desires to see if they are only a result of wanting what you don't have or a genuine issue that you are willing to make your long-term focus.
4. Remember the lesson of Toys R Us: Line extensions don't ensure more success—focus does.

-- Ron White