The Power of the Right Question: Insights from “The One Thing” for UX Designers
Recently, I read “The One Thing” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, and one concept in particular stood out to me as a UX designer: the idea of “focusing questions.” The writers point out in Chapter 10 that the right questions can lead us to extraordinary answers, helping us identify the one thing that deserves our focus above all else. The core message of the book is about finding that single priority — the main goal that, when pursued, makes everything else easier or unnecessary.
Asking the right question is a crucial skill, both in life and in UX design. Sir Francis Bacon famously said, “A prudent question is one half of wisdom,” and this aligns perfectly with the book’s perspective. Indeed, the authors note that great questions are the fastest way to greater answers. The more powerful and deep-seated a question is, the more it triggers critical thinking, busts assumptions, and slices through complexity to reveal what’s truly essential. Research even shows that asking questions improves learning and performance, underscoring how essential this practice is in achieving progress.
This concept has strong parallels in UX or Product design, where asking the right questions is a foundational practice. Instead of rushing to solutions, we ask questions that help us understand the user’s needs, pain points, and goals. We question ourselves to know about the user’s needs, pain, and goals. Questions like, “What are users trying to accomplish when they use this feature?” or “What challenges do they face that our product can help solve?” guide us toward more effective, user-centered designs. In fact, it is often the questions, more than the answers, that unlock new insights and innovations.
Keller emphasizes that asking the right question is about honing in on the one thing — the most crucial task or focus that will make the biggest impact. So, in life, this means an ongoing review of what we are doing and whether such actions really do help to meet the most important goals.
“The power to question is the basis of all human progress.”
Indira Gandhi
I believe the above quote identifies a thesis for the approach in the book: through constant questioning of our direction and choices, we continue down a path of growth and discovery.
Reflecting on this, I see the power of the right question in my own work as a UX designer. In design and research, we know that the better our questions, the better our solutions will be. Questions like, “How can we create an experience that not only meets user needs but also delights them?” push us to think more creatively and more strategically. Likewise, that could be taken into life when one asks, “What is that one thing I can do today that will bring me closer to my goal?” It aids us in investing time and energy into what really matters.
Ultimately, “The One Thing” gives me a very clear reminder to keep moving forward in asking the right questions in my professional practice and personal life. In short, it’s a call to avoid distractions, seek clarity, and pursue the one thing that makes a real difference.
I encourage you to reflect on the questions you ask — in your work, in your relationships, and in your personal growth. Do they take you further to meaningful answers and significant action? Or do they lead you in the wrong direction? Often, the questions we ask are much more influential than the answers we discover.
I’d love to hear from you below. Have you read “The One Thing”? How do you think focusing on the right questions can transform your approach to work and life?
