National bestselling author of Master of One and Called to Create

Master of One

There’s an old saying that goes, “He’s a Jack of all trades, and a master of none.” Early in my career, that described me perfectly. Maybe you’ve felt the same way.

I’d venture to say that most of us feel like we are making a millimeter of progress in a million directions with our lives and our careers. We are good at many different things, but we aren’t excellent, masterful, or exceptional at any one of them. We are overcommitted, overwhelmed, and overstressed, spending way too much time focused on minutiae rather than the work God created us to do.

Now, I don’t have a problem being a “jack of all trades,” but the thought of being described as a mediocre “master of none” makes me sick.

Why? Because mediocrity fails to accomplish the essence of the Christian life: to love God and love others. It is through the ministry of excellence and the pursuit of masterful work that we bring glory to God and love our neighbors as ourselves.

So, how do we find the work we can do most exceptionally well in service of God and others? What is the solution to being a mediocre master of none? The solution is becoming a master of one.

That is what my new book is all about. In Master of One, I will help you find, focus on, and master the work God created you to do.

In the book, you’ll hear more of my story, as well as the stories of more than twenty other Christians who have pursued mastery of one vocational thing for the glory of God and the good of others, including C. S. Lewis, Emily Ley, Mister Rogers, Cynthia Marshall, and Chip Gaines.

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“We are rightly inspired and grateful for all Jesus Christ did in his essential mission in life. But it is also breathtaking to consider what he didn’t do. As the ultimate Essentialist he modeled the disciplined pursuit of less. This is beautifully illustrated in Jordan Raynor’s Master of One.”

— Greg McKeown, author of the New York Times bestseller, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

“In a culture where we’re told we can be anyone and do anything, Jordan Raynor makes a compelling case for embracing our vocational limits and choosing to do our one thing well. If you’re looking for guidance to discern what your one thing might be, Master of One is a solid place to start.”

— Emily P. Freeman, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Next Right Thing

“The Lord wants us to be excellent in what we do. He’s placed us in our careers and we have a responsibility to be the very best we can be in whatever field we decide to take up. We should run to win. Jordan’s book will show you how.”

— Tony Dungy, Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach

“My stepfather, C.S. Lewis, used to say that, ‘We do not need more people writing Christian books. What we need is more Christians writing good books.’ This is true for any Christian in any line of work. I am thrilled that Jordan has taken the time to explore this idea more fully in Master of One. When Jordan writes, it is a good idea to read what he has to say, maybe two or three times, and this book is no exception to that rule.”

— Douglas Gresham, C.S. Lewis’s heir and the Executive Producer of Disney and Netflix’s Chronicles of Narnia films

“I tell people all the time, ‘You can’t do it all,’ but then I catch myself trying to complete ‘just a few more things’ as my to-do list mushrooms every morning. I’m thankful that Jordan has set out such a clear alternative that teaches you how to choose what you want most in your career and how to ignore everything else.”

— Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author of Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done

“In Master of One, Jordan uses real life examples to point the way to a satisfied life, one of purpose, meaning, and happiness. When we do our work with excellence, when we take risks for the good of others, we are often placed in positions of great power that can be used to accomplish the Lord’s will. That has certainly been true in my own life. This book will show you how it can be true in yours.”

— Sherron Watkins, Enron whistleblower and Time Magazine’s Person of the Year (2002)

“The topic of this book speaks to my heart and will serve well with everyone who reads it.”

— Horst Schulze, Co-founder of Ritz-Carlton and author of Excellence Wins

“When I started my nonprofit, there were a million ideas swirling around, and a wise humanitarian encouraged me to deeply focus on one thing. That one thing was water, and that encouragement began a movement that’s helped 10M people across the globe get clean water. Jordan gives the same advice in this book, showing you precisely how to find and focus on your one thing.”

— Scott Harrison, Founder and CEO of charity: water

“I loved Jordan’s first book, Called to Create, which is why I am so pumped for Master of One! Jordan is definitely speaking to me when thinking about the master multi tasker. I already have joy for living life for an audience of one, but I can’t wait to learn the principles to find focus and precision within my life.”

— Tamika Catchings, four-time Olympic gold medalist, ten-time WNBA All-Star, and former WNBA MVP

“Jordan writes with a clear and powerful conviction—the path to exceptional work is not about more work, but better work. There is an excellence waiting for us if we will just dig in. Jordan equips us to master our work for the glory of God and the good of others.”

— Carey Nieuwhof, Founding Pastor of Connexus Church

“Both social science and God’s Word refute the conventional wisdom that simply ‘following your passions’ will lead to the ultimate satisfaction of vocation. In Master of One, Jordan articulately argues that we find true vocational happiness for ourselves when we focus first on bringing joy to God and others by doing our work masterfully well. I highly recommend this read!”

— Missy Wallace, Executive Director of the Nashville Institute for Faith and Work

“Jordan does an awesome job communicating how the gospel impacts our work—especially the work of the entrepreneur and culture maker. Unlike many pastors and theologians, Jordan is able to relate with his readers because of his real-world experience in the trenches building companies. I am so grateful for his ministry!”

— Henry Kaestner, Co-founder of Bandwidth (NASDAQ:BAND) and Founder of Faith Driven Entrepreneur

“I am deeply grateful for this book. It is true, compelling, and relevant. Excellence is one of the best ways we love our neighbor in our work. Jordan offers you a practical guide to finding and focusing on the work you can do most exceptionally well—not for your own sake, but to bring benefit to the world. We need this message right now. And the great news is that this book exhibits what it teaches: it is a book on mastery that is masterfully written.”

— Matt Perman, author of What’s Best Next

“I loved Master of One! Jordan’s writing frees you from the paralysis of indecisiveness, and provides a simple framework for choosing the work you will do most masterfully well for the glory of God. As I read the book, I grew more passionate for the work I’m already doing today, wanting to double-down, own my niche, and do my work to the best of my abilities. I highly recommend this read!”

— Stefan Kunz, letterer, designer, and illustrator behind @StefanKunz on Instagram and YouTube

“Christians ought to have the highest standards for excellence in our work. That’s the heart of this book, and I am so grateful Jordan has written it.”

— Bobby Bowden, second-winningest coach in Division I college football history

Greg McKeown

Emily P. Freeman

Tony Dungy

Douglas Gresham

Jon Acuff

Sherron Watkins

Horst Schulze

Scott Harrison

Tamika Catchings

Carey Nieuwhof

Missy Wallace

Henry Kaestner

Matt Perman

Stefan Kunz

Bobby Bowden

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Amazing Reviews

4.95 average star rating from more than 150 people who have already finished Master of One

November 17, 2019

even better than Called to Create!

Called to Create gave me some new ideas and concepts I had never thought about. But Master of One gave me answers to things that I’ve been wrestling with for awhile. I’d say Master of One is even better than Called to Create.

Taylor P.

November 19, 2019

SO good

Master of One is the white-board strategy session we have only thought to ask for in our prayers. With the turning of each page, Jordan provides answers, Scriptures, real-world examples and thoughtful resources to help you both discover your ‘one thing’ and live it out boldly.

Rob J.

August 28, 2019

the best reading I did

It was the best reading I did all summer. Wow! The current examples of relevant people, pursuing mastery of their “one thing” renewed my faith that it is possible, while the biblical references strengthened my conviction that it is necessary and biblical!

Jeni E.

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About the Author

Hi! I’m Jordan Raynor. My team and I have helped nearly 2,000,000 Christians connect the gospel to their work, inspiring them to do their most exceptional work for the glory of God and the good of others. That’s what Master of One is all about!

My “one thing” is entrepreneurship, and I have been pursuing mastery of that craft for more than a decade. Today, I serve as the Executive Chairman of Threshold 360, a venture-backed tech startup that has built the world’s largest library of 360° experiences of hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Previously, I served as CEO of the company, following a string of successful ventures of my own.

I have twice been selected as a Google Fellow and served in The White House under President George W. Bush.

I live in beautiful Tampa, Florida where my family has been for six (going on seven) generations. I’m married to the love of my life, Kara, and am the proud “dada”of Ellison, Kate, and Emery.