How Focusing on One Priority Transformed Our Parenting

Could you choose one meaningful thing to do each day?

Could you name one primary goal for your children?

Explore how the “One Thing” productivity philosophy can be applied to parenting, and join the conversation about raising purposeful, successful kids:

What is your “one thing” in parenting?

I began thinking about applying this business strategy to parenting after interviewing Michelle Anne about being a calm mom and using mindful discipline. In that Healthy Parenting Connector interview she describes her “one thing” for her children and how she focuses on a single priority each day to keep from feeling overwhelmed.

Watch the One Thing in Parenting on YouTube.

No time to watch the whole video? Here are the highlights and takeaways.

One Thing in Parenting — Video Highlights and Time Stamps

• 0:13: We introduce a philosophy called “the one thing.” I started teaching kids to cook to build life skills and responsibility; our program communicates connection, confidence, and creativity through cooking. What if you had to choose only one of those goals to prioritize?
• 0:53: In my conversation with Michelle Ann she explained that she chooses the single most important task each day instead of scanning an entire to-do list and getting discouraged.
• 1:46: There is a book and podcast called The One Thing that outlines the idea: pick the one action that will have the greatest impact each day and make that your priority.

• 2:09: I asked whether this philosophy could be applied directly to parenting — to focus our daily attention on the actions that matter most for our children’s long-term success.
• 3:04: If you’re thinking, “I have too much to do to pick only one thing,” remember that after completing your top priority you can move to the next most important task. The goal is to stop every day feeling like the most meaningful tasks were left undone. I share a real example from my day.

• 4:30: As busy parents, go to bed already knowing your “one thing” for the morning — whether it’s an errand, a cleaning task, or an important phone call.
• 5:15: Aim to finish each day having accomplished what mattered most rather than being consumed by minor distractions. Prioritizing reduces stress and increases fulfillment.

Let’s get one thing done, and then move on to the next thing. – Katie Kimball

• 6:28: Parenting isn’t only a collection of daily chores like laundry, mealtimes, and homework help. What if we apply “the one thing” to our long-term parenting goals? What single, guiding purpose could shape how we spend time with our children, discipline them, and make family decisions?
• 7:16: I’m still working on defining my own “one thing.” Distilling 18 years of parenting into a single guiding principle is a challenge.
• 8:55: It’s easy to get distracted by others’ expectations or by our own competing priorities. Naming one clear goal helps filter choices throughout the week.

If you had a clear “one thing,” how would it change the choices you make each week? – Katie Kimball

• 10:05: Many of us want to look back and know we were intentional — that we gave our best effort as parents.
• 10:22: I challenge you to reflect on this and discuss it with your partner. What is your family’s “one thing”?

Deciding on one guiding priority doesn’t mean ignoring everything else. It means intentionally focusing your energy where it matters most, then moving deliberately to the next priority. When you give your best to the most important thing each day, you’re more likely to build the habits and relationships that lead to long-term success for your children.