Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone

This mindset has been on my whiteboard for most of the last three years. It’s been smudged and brushed past so many times that I finally erased it—just so I could rewrite it again.

I come back to it often, especially when I’m overwhelmed or frustrated.

Because I do wish I could do more—for more people, more businesses, more causes. But I can’t always do it for everyone. Not right now. Maybe not ever.

Still, I can do it for one.

One client.

One person in my life.

One animal.

One moment.

And that “one” can be enough. It might change someone’s life—or at the very least, their day. And what an incredible place the world would be if each of us did that.

When I started Expert Generalist, I didn’t know exactly where it would lead. But I did know how I wanted people to feel after working with me: clear, energized, and seen. That’s where this mantra came in. When I didn’t know how to scale, I just focused on doing right by the person right in front of me.

Here’s what I’ve learned from living this way:

• It creates clarity. When everything feels important, this mindset helps you decide what to do next.

• It becomes a prototype. What you do for one can become the blueprint for many. It’s how new ideas start.

• It’s sustainable. Trying to save the world will burn you out. Helping one person might actually fill you up.

• It creates ripples. Someone might see what you did and be inspired to do the same. Now you’re doing for two.

• It keeps you rooted. Even when no one is watching, it helps you live your values through action—not just ideas.

If you’re starting a business, rethinking your next move, or just feeling stuck—try doing for one what you wish you could do for everyone. You might be surprised what that unlocks.