How AI Startups Can Implement the Approaches from The One Thing to Achieve Success
By Neil Patel
AI startups are faced with countless decisions every day—new features, marketing strategies, funding options, and more. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by competing priorities. That’s where Gary Keller and Jay Papasan’s book, The One Thing, provides a transformative framework.
The premise is simple: focus on the one thing that will make everything else easier or unnecessary. For AI startups, this principle can mean the difference between constant firefighting and sustainable, scalable growth.
Here’s how AI startups can implement the approaches from The One Thing to stay laser-focused and achieve success.
1. Identify Your “One Thing”
At the core of The One Thing is identifying the single most important goal or task that drives everything else forward.
How to Identify Your One Thing:
Ask the Focusing Question: “What’s the ONE thing I can do such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”
Align with Your Startup Stage:
Early Stage: Is it achieving product-market fit?
Growth Stage: Is it scaling your sales funnel?
Mature Stage: Is it building a sustainable team or reducing churn?
Example:
For an AI startup offering predictive analytics, the “one thing” might be acquiring three anchor clients in your target industry to build credibility and drive referrals.
2. Prioritize Ruthlessly
AI startups are often distracted by shiny new features, market trends, or non-essential tasks. Prioritizing your “one thing” means saying no to distractions.
How to Prioritize:
Use a Daily Focusing Question: Begin each day by asking, “What’s the ONE thing I must accomplish today to move my startup closer to its goal?”
Break Down Your Goal:
Quarterly: Define your overarching “one thing” for the quarter.
Weekly: Set weekly milestones that contribute to the quarterly goal.
Daily: Identify the most important task for the day.
Example:
If your goal is to land enterprise clients, your daily tasks might include refining your pitch deck or reaching out to high-value prospects.
3. Time Block Your Day
Time blocking ensures you dedicate focused time to your “one thing” without distractions.
How to Time Block Effectively:
Set Aside the First Few Hours: Reserve your mornings for deep work on your “one thing” before diving into emails or meetings.
Batch Similar Tasks: Group repetitive tasks like responding to inquiries or analyzing data to avoid constant context switching.
Protect Your Time: Turn off notifications and communicate with your team about your focus time.
Example:
Dedicate 9:00 AM–11:00 AM every day to working on your AI product’s core functionality, like improving algorithms or debugging key features.
4. Build Habits Around Your “One Thing”
Success isn’t about extraordinary effort—it’s about consistent effort over time. Build habits that align with your most important goal.
How to Build Habits:
Start Small: Focus on small, repeatable actions that contribute to your goal.
Track Progress: Use tools like Habitica, Notion, or simple spreadsheets to track daily progress.
Eliminate Resistance: Remove barriers to working on your “one thing,” like having a clear workspace or automating distractions.
Example:
If customer acquisition is your focus, develop a daily habit of reaching out to five potential clients or partners.
5. Simplify Your Focus
AI startups often try to do too much—developing multiple features, targeting different markets, and experimenting with countless strategies. Simplify by narrowing your focus.
How to Simplify:
Focus on One Core Feature: Instead of building a product with 10 features, focus on the one feature that delivers the most value.
Target a Specific Market: Narrow your audience to a niche that truly needs your solution.
Limit Growth Channels: Choose 1–2 marketing channels and master them before expanding.
Example:
If you’re developing an AI chatbot, focus exclusively on customer service for e-commerce rather than trying to cater to all industries.
6. Leverage the Domino Effect
The domino effect in The One Thing teaches us that small actions can lead to exponential results.
How to Create Your Domino Effect:
Start with Small Wins: Identify the smallest, most impactful task you can complete today to build momentum.
Stack Your Success: Let each achievement build on the previous one.
Align Your Team: Ensure everyone is working toward the same overarching goal.
Example:
Landing your first enterprise client can create a domino effect by increasing credibility, which attracts more clients and generates case studies for marketing.
7. Eliminate Distractions
Distractions are the enemy of focus. As an AI founder, it’s crucial to recognize and eliminate them.
Common Distractions:
Constantly shifting priorities.
Spending too much time on minor tasks like answering emails.
Chasing trends instead of focusing on your unique value.
How to Eliminate Distractions:
Delegate: Assign operational or low-priority tasks to team members or freelancers.
Automate: Use AI tools to handle repetitive tasks like data analysis or email responses.
Refocus Daily: Reassess your goals every morning to ensure alignment with your “one thing.”
Example:
If your focus is improving your AI model, outsource marketing and sales to an experienced team.
8. Think Big, Start Small
The One Thing encourages thinking big but starting small. For AI startups, this means having a bold vision but focusing on incremental steps to achieve it.
How to Think Big and Start Small:
Define Your Vision: Outline the long-term impact you want your AI startup to achieve.
Set Milestones: Break your vision into actionable quarterly and yearly goals.
Execute Incrementally: Focus on one milestone at a time while keeping your vision in mind.
Example:
If your vision is to revolutionize healthcare with AI, start by solving one specific problem, like improving diagnostic accuracy in radiology.
9. Measure Success with the 80/20 Rule
The One Thing aligns closely with the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule), which states that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts.
How to Apply the 80/20 Rule:
Analyze Results: Identify which features, clients, or marketing channels drive the most growth.
Double Down: Focus resources on the most impactful areas.
Eliminate Inefficiencies: Stop spending time on tasks or projects that deliver minimal results.
Example:
If LinkedIn generates 80% of your leads, allocate more budget and time to mastering LinkedIn outreach rather than diversifying prematurely.
10. Protect Your Focus
Staying focused on your “one thing” requires discipline and commitment.
How to Protect Your Focus:
Communicate Priorities: Make sure your team understands and supports your focus.
Avoid Overcommitting: Say no to projects, features, or tasks that don’t align with your primary goal.
Schedule Regular Check-Ins: Reevaluate your progress weekly to ensure you’re staying on track.
Example:
If your “one thing” is achieving product-market fit, avoid distractions like developing features for fringe use cases or launching unnecessary marketing campaigns.
Conclusion
Implementing the principles of The One Thing can transform your AI startup by focusing your energy on what truly matters. By identifying your “one thing,” prioritizing ruthlessly, and eliminating distractions, you can achieve exponential growth and long-term success.
Remember, success doesn’t come from doing everything—it comes from doing the right thing. Start small, stay focused, and let the results speak for themselves.
Need help identifying and executing your startup’s “one thing”? Let’s strategize and create a plan to achieve your goals!
