Chapter 3

The One Word Process

In the movie City Slickers, Billy Crystal plays Mitch, a vacationing businessman who, along with two friends, takes on the adventure of a cattle drive. In the middle of the drive, a rough-necked cowhand named Curly tells Mitch that the secret to life is just one thing. Curly emphasizes the point by holding up one finger and saying, “You need to stick to that one thing.” Mitch asks, “What is that one thing?” Curly responds, “That is what you gotta figure out!”

One thing changes everything.

Now that you understand the history and power of One Word, you are probably wondering how you figure out your One Word.

Through our own experiences and our work with countless others, we’ve developed a simple, three-step process that will provide an easy framework for finding your One Word:

LOOK IN, LOOK UP, LOOK OUT

In the following sections, we walk you through these three steps to help you find your word or, perhaps better stated, to allow your word to find you. We’re confident that there’s a word meant just for you and when you live your word, it will have a profound impact on every area of your life.

One Word isn’t only for the select few who are highly motivated. In fact, it works best for those who are tired of the same old thing and maybe even a little frustrated by previous failures.

One Word for One Year for One Life.

Truthfully, there is only one thing you need to do to put One Word into practice—if you’re breathing, you qualify! You must have a desire to live life to the fullest and become the best you. If that’s you, then One Word is for you.

There is no secret recipe. No hidden tricks. We’re talking about One Word for One Year for One Life. That’s it. Everyone has the skill and ability to do that. We know you can do it, because we’ve witnessed people from all walks of life and in every stage of life experience the power of One Word.

One Word Works

One Word is contagious. We’ve shared this powerful process with thousands of people who immediately put it into practice, and the results are always the same: unstoppable life change. You’ll be amazed by your success and transformation—even in areas you’ve given up on—when narrowing your focus and simplifying your approach.

The One Word Process is something you can do with your team at work and your family at home, too. Just imagine if everyone in your workplace knew their word and lived it each day, thus making themselves and their teams better. Imagine how energizing this would be for your family as well.

One Word is timeless and powerful. It doesn’t change with changing times or culture. It is built on the power of process . . . just three simple steps.

The process takes a little time, but the results are worth it. It doesn’t matter whether you are a parent or a child, a senior or an adolescent, a business leader or a teacher, this process works!

Let’s get started with the first step of the One Word process.