Reading is an underrated activity that most of us overlook in our lives for personal growth. I know I’ve come up with many excuses as to why I shouldn’t read, I don’t have a good book, I’m busy, I’m tired, I don’t like it, etc… Most of us had some sort of battle like that, at least when we were in school and were forced to read for a class. But often we weren’t given the chance to read something that was really worth knowing or life-changing. Gary Keller and Jay Papasan's book, The One Thing, was written as a powerful guide to achieving success in all areas of life. The book's central premise is that we can achieve anything we set our minds to if we focus on one thing at a time. A lot of the perspectives given I could really apply to my life and were at least eye-openers to problems or potential solutions to different areas in my life.
However, Keller and Papasan also recognized that success is not just about achieving our goals. It’s about living a meaningful and fulfilling life. And for many people including myself, faith or spiritual belief plays a central role in living a meaningful life.
What I appreciate most about Keller and Papasan is that they articulate the principles appropriately with empathy and an openness that in a way that doesn’t make you feel like you have to believe in what they believe in. In fact, I don’t think they mention what they believe in during the book, just the importance or why it might matter. It’s great for someone skeptical or is just curious about learning how faith might matter for a career or their goals. The authors don’t write it in a way that feels exclusive. They avoid mentioning specific religious rituals, prayer, or writing that seems convincing or coercing to having a faith.
How can faith help you achieve success? Here are a few key take-aways from the book:
- Faith can give you a sense of purpose and meaning. When you have a strong sense of purpose and meaning, you are more likely to be motivated and focused. You are also more likely to make decisions that are aligned with your values.
- Faith can help you overcome challenges and setbacks. Everyone faces challenges and setbacks in life. Faith can give you the strength and resilience to persevere through difficult times.
- Faith can help you develop positive character traits. Faith often teaches us the importance of values such as integrity, honesty, compassion, and service to others. These values are essential for success in all areas of life. (If you’re interested in more about character traits, take a look at our last “NBCC Voices” post, “Level Up Your Character.”)
In addition to these general benefits, faith or spiritual belief can also help you achieve success in specific ways. For example, if you are a business owner, faith can guide you in making decisions that are ethical and responsible to your employees and customers. If you are a student, faith can help you stay focused and motivated on your studies. And if you are a parent, faith can help you raise your children to be kind, compassionate, and responsible adults.
Overall, spiritual belief can be a powerful asset in your journey to achieve success. If you are serious about achieving your goals and living a meaningful life, consider the role that faith or spiritual belief can play in your life. It’s not something that will come easily or you might not understand fully, but if you have any curiosity or might feel like that is one thing that is missing or preventing you from moving on, it is worth exploring in my opinion.
Here are a few tips I got out of the book for incorporating some common faith or spiritual belief principles into your success journey. These tips you could apply to your journey even if you don’t have a spiritual belief:
- Identify your Big Why. What is your purpose in life? What are you passionate about? Your Big Why should be something that is bigger than yourself and that drives you to achieve your goals.
- Set WIGs that are aligned with your Big Why. Your WIGs should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. They should also be aligned with your Big Why.
- Develop a personal philosophy. Your personal philosophy is a set of beliefs and values that guide your life. It should be based on your Big Why and your WIGs.
- Live out your faith or spiritual beliefs in all areas of your life. This includes your personal life, your professional life, and your relationships with others.
For those who hold faith dear, may this serve as a gentle reminder of the significance of integrating it into your career or business. And for those who may not have a defined faith or belief system, I hope you still find value in the principles shared in this book, as they can inspire and guide you on your journey. Whether faith plays a central role in your life or not, I encourage you to delve into the wisdom of this book for a deeper understanding. As always, take the time to explore and seek answers to any questions you may have, as it's possible that certain beliefs or doubts could be hindering your progress.
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