I graduated from the university in December 2023, I cannot forget that day, I was happy, the air was euphoric, awards were given, pictures were taken and a future brimming with possibilities stretched before me. But amidst the cheers, a scary feeling crept in – the overwhelming reality of adulting. 


An image showing an adult making decisions and taking steps to get started with adulting


Gone were the structured schedules and clear deadlines of university life. Now, I faced a mountain of responsibilities – a job search, apartment hunting, decoding adult finances...it was overwhelming.


The Power of Just One Thing 


My room became a battleground of "shoulds." I should update my resume. I should organize my finances. I should clean this disaster zone! But the volume of tasks kept me paralyzed, scrolling mindlessly through social media instead.


One day, while scrolling mindlessly through social media, I stumbled upon an article titled "The Power of Just One Thing." It spoke of focusing on a single, achievable task instead of getting overwhelmed by the big picture. I was intrigued, so I decided to delve deeper and learn more. I discovered that -


 "Just One Thing" Adds Up to Become More


The concept was an eye-opener.  Instead of drowning in a sea of "shoulds," I could focus on one tiny island – a single,manageable task that wouldn't take hours. It could be anything – updating my resume for 15 minutes, reading for 10 minutes, or simply cleaning one neglected corner of my room.


I decided to try it out. My first "One Thing" became updating my resume for 15 minutes. It felt insignificant, but the act of starting, however small, broke the barrier of overwhelm. 


The next day, I read a self-help book that I'd been trying to read for 20 minutes. Each tiny step chipped away at the mountain, and it was  replaced by a sense of accomplishment.


The Magic of Momentum


Here's the beautiful thing – completing one small task often creates a domino effect. Finishing my resume for 15 minutes motivated me to spend another 10 tweaking my cover letter. Organizing a corner of my room led to organizing another,then another.


 Five Important Steps On The One-Thing Checklist


To help you overcome your own overwhelming situations, here's a handy "One-Thing" checklist that I've been using for months now, and it has been really helpful:


  • Identify Your Overwhelm: What major life change or project is leaving you overwhelmed? Job search? Moving?Financial planning?
  • Break it Down: List the individual tasks involved in this bigger project. Be specific – "job search" becomes "spend 20 minutes browsing job listings on LinkedIn."
  • Pick Your "One Thing": Choose one small, achievable task from your list. It could be anything – researching resources, making a single phone call, decluttering a drawer.
  • Set a Timer: Commit to spending just 15-30 minutes on your "One Thing." This time limit prevents it from becoming overwhelming.
  • Just Do It: Don't overthink it! Start your chosen task with the mindset of completing just this one thing and see where it leads.


You can watch this video for more insight.


From "Shoulds" to "Dones"


The "One-Thing" approach isn't about completing everything in one go. It's about building momentum, chipping away at the mountain one small piece at a time. Over time, those tiny "One Things" accumulate, transforming your "shoulds" into a satisfying list of "dones."


Within weeks, my resume was polished and sent out to relevant companies. I finished the book I  started .My finances weren't perfect, but I’ve been taking interesting tutorials on YouTube on how to handle it. The overwhelming mountain had shrunk to a manageable hill, and I was climbing it steadily.


The Power of "One Thing" is for Everyone


The "One-Thing" approach isn't limited to post-graduation adulting. It's applicable to any overwhelming situation –  Here are some examples:


  • Work: Feeling swamped by an upcoming deadline? Break your project down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Work on one task for just 15-30 minutes before taking a quick break. 
  • Health and Wellness: Trying to establish a new fitness routine? Don't overwhelm yourself with hour-long workouts. Start with a simple 10-minute walk or a quick yoga session. Consistency is key!
  • Personal Growth: Want to learn a new skill but feel intimidated? Dedicate just 20 minutes a day to learning the basics. Utilize online resources like Khan Academy or Coursera to break down complex topics into bite-sized pieces.

Remember, progress, no matter how small, is still progress. So, take a deep breath, pick your "One Thing," and start your journey toward accomplishment, one tiny step at a time. You've got this!


Do you struggle with feeling overwhelmed by large projects? Share your experiences and "One Thing" tips in the comments below!