09/09/2025
The One Thing - Dream Duck & Rome
The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan is a book I read many years ago, and it left a lasting impression on me. While the authors designed it to help readers focus on their most impactful daily task—whether in business, life, or family—the underlying principle can be applied much more broadly.
At its core, the book teaches that by identifying and committing to the single most important task, you can streamline your efforts, minimise distractions, and achieve meaningful progress toward your goals.
When I first read it, I approached it with my “business hat” on.
What I took from it was slightly different from the authors’ intention: instead of just focusing on daily priorities, I asked myself—what is the one thing I want my business to be known for? Once I had clarity on that, I built everything else around it. Books, after all, often meet you where you are at that moment in life, and their lessons can take on a shape that fits your own journey.
Italy offers countless examples of this principle. Entire regions, industries, and family businesses thrive because they chose to focus on one thing, perfected it, and built everything else around it.
That’s exactly what I did with Manners ‘n’ More—and it worked.
I encourage you to read The One Thing and allow it to meet you where you are. Ask yourself: What’s the one thing that should be at the heart of my business?
How can I build boldly and confidently around that?
Make it the core, expand it as far as possible, and once it’s strong, move on to the next project with the same focus.
*check out the video from inside the Dream Duck store Rome, a store that does one thing rubber 'ducks'.
