Overhead view of a wooden desk divided between clutter and clarity. On the left, piles of papers, crumpled notes, and a phone create chaos. On the right, a clean notebook with the word ‘PLAN’ written inside symbolizes focus and order, with a cup of coffee nearby.

Sep 11, 2025

The One-Thing Test: A Simple Way to Clear Mental Clutter and Reclaim Focus

clarity, focus, overwhelm, productivity, decision-making

Most people believe they’re overwhelmed because they don’t have enough time. But the truth is, overwhelm usually comes from unclear priorities. The solution isn’t always adding better systems or squeezing in more hours; sometimes, the fastest way to clarity is subtraction.

This week’s Analytic Confidence insight introduces The One-Thing Test: a simple exercise to uncover the task, commitment, or responsibility that’s consuming energy without producing real results. By removing it (or reducing it), you gain immediate clarity and breathing space.

Step 1: Spot the Clutter

Write down your current responsibilities. Not everything, just the things that weigh on you most.

The One-Thing Test question:

“What one thing would free up the most energy if I stopped doing it?”

This question reframes the problem: it’s not about what to add, but what to cut.

Step 2: Apply It Across Contexts

Learners & Students
Example: Rewriting notes multiple times. High effort, low return. Cutting it frees time for practice problems.
Professionals
Example: Manually formatting slides. A time sink that could be automated or delegated.
Entrepreneurs
Example: A client who drains energy and delays payments. Letting go frees space for high-value work.
Decision-Makers
Example: Standing meetings that could be replaced by dashboards. Canceling them reclaims strategic focus.

💡 Want more clarity tools? Download our free guide, "5 Strategic Questions to Clarify Any Goal," designed to help you cut through noise and focus on what matters most.

Step 3: Implement and Test

Circle the one task to cut.
Commit to not doing it for one week.
Reassess: Did it improve clarity, focus, or results?

Often, you’ll discover the world doesn’t fall apart when you stop doing something. Instead, life feels lighter.

The One-Thing Test proves that clarity is often about removal, not addition. By practicing this regularly, you’ll start to see patterns: the tasks, habits, and commitments that drag you down. Letting them go creates the order you’ve been chasing.

Clarity looks different for everyone. Our free guide, 5 Strategic Questions to Clarify Any Goal, will help you sharpen that clarity even further.

Ready to take the next step?

Download your free guide, 5 Strategic Questions to Clarify Any Goal, and explore our full suite of assessments.