In 2017, I picked up a copy of The ONE Thing.

I didn’t know it at the time, but the ideas in that book would completely change the way I thought about business, focus and what was actually possible when you stopped trying to do everything.

Now, almost a decade later, I’m sitting down in New York City with the man who wrote it.

Jay Papasan is the co-author of the New York Times bestseller The ONE Thing, alongside Gary Keller, and has spent decades writing, publishing and studying what it takes to achieve extraordinary results.

In this episode, we go behind the book.

Jay breaks down how he actually writes books, how he made his own break as an author, what he’s learned from writing multiple bestsellers, and why doing less—but focusing deeply on the right thing—can completely change the trajectory of your life.

We talk about:

• How Jay made his break as an author
• The story behind The ONE Thing
• How he approaches writing a book
• How to find an idea worth writing about
• Why most people struggle to focus
• How to identify your ONE thing
• What makes a book last for years instead of weeks
• Advice for first-time authors
• What Jay would do if he had to start again today
• And the lessons he’s learned from decades of studying success

This one is particularly special for me.

I read The ONE Thing back in 2017. Now, as I prepare to release my own book, Make Your Break, I got to sit across from Jay in New York City and ask him the questions I’ve wanted to ask for years.

If you're building something, writing something, chasing an unrealistic goal—or simply feel like you're being pulled in a hundred different directions—this conversation is for you.

📕 Buy The ONE Thing:
https://the1thing.com/book/

📘 Pre-order Make Your Break by Jai Long:
https://makeyourbreak.co/

Subscribe to the Make Your Break Podcast for conversations about business, creativity, mindset and the people who made their own break.

About Jai LongJai Long is an entrepreneur, author, podcast host, and speaker known for helping creative entrepreneurs turn their ideas into income and build lives on their own terms. After growing up in government housing, experiencing homelessness, and going bankrupt at 21, Jai went on to build multiple seven-figure businesses, educate thousands of creatives worldwide, and become one of the most respected voices in the creative business space.

Today, through his podcast, speaking, and upcoming book Make Your Break (releasing 3 November 2026), Jai shares lessons on mindset, business, purpose, and creating opportunities in an ever-changing world.Learn more at ⁠⁠www.jailong.co⁠

The Book That Changed My Life — Now I’m Interviewing the Author | Jay Papasan

Make Your Break with Jai Long

The Book That Changed My Life — Now I’m Interviewing the Author | Jay Papasan