The Three P’s Approach

“Be ruthless about what you ignore. Time, energy, and resources are so precious. You have to be ferocious about cutting your priorities—more than you realize and certainly more than is comfortable.”

– James Clear

I hope you enjoyed our No-vember series. Learning to say no to distractions is the gift you give yourself and your goals. (If you missed these issues, you can find them here, here, here, and here.) As we approach the New Year, the TwentyPercenter will be focused on the building blocks of extraordinary success, beginning with the Three P’s Approach.

This approach is best illustrated using an iceberg analogy. At the tip of the proverbial iceberg is the first P, productivity. It’s the part we all see. Productive action is built on a clear priority, the second P, which is why it makes up the middle part of the iceberg that sits just below the water’s surface. Priorities are founded on purpose, the third P, the base of the iceberg that looms large and out of sight, deep in the ocean.

The individuals and businesses we studied when writing The ONE Thing shared this common thread. They built their success on clarity of purpose. Their base. They knew where they were going and why. When you know your ultimate destination, it’s much harder to get sidetracked. Like a compass, purpose points to your true north. And each successive milestone on the journey becomes your singular priority.

As priorities become clear, they breed productivity. But productivity and activity should not be confused. Activity can be aimless. Productivity is action aimed at a priority. Focus on your priority and productivity is sure to follow.

The Three P’s can also serve as a diagnostic tool. When your productivity lags, work to clarify your priorities. If your priorities aren’t clear, you need to step back and evaluate your purpose.

The economy doesn’t seem to be doing anyone favors. You can’t count on it to buoy your success. As you turn your attention to 2024, take a moment to ponder your ultimate destination. What are you working for? What will your success (or failure) mean for you and your family? What’s the Big Why that keeps you going? That’s your ONE Thing to focus on in the coming year.

Armed with clarity of purpose, you’ll engage the new year with stark priorities. And that is half the battle. Knowing what you must do and why you must do it will help you cast aside distractions and enter the productivity zone. That’s how achievers get their unfair share of a stingy market.

One question to ponder in your thinking time: How can I tap into my purpose to make 2024 far better than 2023?

Co-author of The One Thing & The Millionaire Real Estate Agent ​