1% better every day

Small, incremental improvements add up over time. Getting 1% better at something may not be notable, or even noticeable, in the moment.

But when compounded over the course of a year, 1% can be the difference between achievement or atrophy.

We often like to convince ourselves that the only successes that matter are those that result in big, visible accomplishments. Like the author whose book becomes an instant NY Times bestseller. Or the multi-million dollar new product launch that leads to the manager’s promotion.

This level of achievement is incredibly rare. It makes for a great story when it happens, but it’s foolish to use such examples of astronomical success as our benchmark for meaningful progress.

Don’t let the pressure of making some kind of earth-shattering breakthrough discourage you from making incremental improvements every day.

Whether it’s progress on your health, in your career, or with your relationships, a consistent march towards 1% better every day is the surest path towards achieving your goals.

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden once said, “I believe in the basics: attention to, and perfection of, tiny details that might be commonly overlooked. They may seem trivial, perhaps even laughable to those who don’t understand, but they aren’t. They are fundamental to your progress in basketball, business, and life. They are the difference between champions and near champions.”

Fundamentals aren’t sexy. It’s unlikely that anybody will appreciate your quiet dedication to consistency.

But the progress you will achieve over time will speak for itself.

For John Wooden, the discipline of continuous improvement led to 10 NCAA championships.

What are the 1% improvements you’re going to make today?