In a world that often celebrates overnight success stories, it’s easy to overlook the incredible power of small, consistent improvements.
The principle is deceptively simple: improve by just 1% every day.
Over time, those small, steady gains compound into extraordinary outcomes.
The science backs this up. Neuroscience reveals that consistent action rewires the brain, forming new neural pathways that make habits stick and progress inevitable. And the numbers? If you started with just $1 and it compounded by 1% daily for seven years, it would grow to a mind-boggling $109,930,000,000.
Yes, over $109 billion! Small changes truly have massive potential.
The Neuroscience of Small Wins
Our brains are wired to seek rewards. When we accomplish a small task or improvement, our brain releases dopamine—the “feel-good” chemical—creating a positive feedback loop. Over time, consistent actions strengthen neural pathways, turning intentional behaviours into automatic habits.
This process, known as neuroplasticity, is like building a well-paved road. The more frequently we travel it, the easier it becomes to stay on course because our neural pathways become much stronger.
This is why consistent 1% improvements are so powerful: they shift our brain’s default mode to align with our goals.
Chris Nikic: A Living Example of 1% Improvement
Chris Nikic’s story exemplifies the 1% principle in action. When he set his goal to complete an Ironman triathlon, he didn’t start by running marathons or swimming miles. Instead, he focused on improving by just 1% every day.
Initially, this meant doing one more push-up, swimming an extra lap, or shaving a second off his time. These small, consistent improvements built his strength, confidence, and endurance.
On race day, Chris swam 2.4 miles, cycled 112 miles, and ran 26.2 miles, completing the gruelling Ironman challenge. His journey shows that seemingly impossible goals are achievable with steady, incremental progress.
Real-World Examples of 1% Improvements in Business
1. Customer Experience Enhancements
A retail business might start by asking employees to focus on one small improvement each day, such as greeting customers with a smile, personalising recommendations, asking one more question or improving response times. Over time, these efforts result in higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.
2. Sales Growth
Sales teams can apply the 1% rule by consistently refining their approach. For example, dedicating just 15 minutes daily to prospecting or practising a new objection-handling technique can lead to measurable improvements in conversion rates.
3. Leadership Development
Leaders can focus on improving team culture by offering one piece of positive feedback or compliment daily. Research shows that employees who feel appreciated perform better and stay engaged longer, creating a ripple effect across the organisation.
Consistency: The Key to Sustained Success
Consistency matters because:
- It Builds Habits: Repetition strengthens neural pathways, making positive behaviours automatic.
- It Magnifies Impact: Like compounding interest, small actions lead to massive outcomes over time.
- It Fosters Resilience: Small wins fuel motivation, even during challenging times.
Remember, success isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up consistently and making steady progress.
Applying the 1% Rule in Your Business
- Focus on High-Impact Actions: Identify one activity that aligns with your long-term goals, such as improving customer interactions or refining internal processes.
- Commit to Daily Efforts: Whether it’s five extra minutes of focus or one more task completed, start small.
- Track and Celebrate Progress: Metrics keep you motivated, and celebrating wins reinforces the behaviour.
- Learn from Setbacks: Consistency doesn’t mean never failing—it means staying committed to the process.
Take Inspiration and Take Action
Chris Nikic’s story and the neuroscience of small improvements show us that transformation doesn’t happen overnight—it happens through small, consistent actions compounded over time. As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, reminds us: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
Whether it’s a personal goal, a business initiative, or a team endeavour, small daily actions can create extraordinary results.
And when we get this right, everything becomes much easier.
The better it gets, the better it gets!
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Naomi Oyston has more than twenty years leadership experience within the Corporate, Financial and SME Business sectors. She has had extensive executive level success, with direct responsibility for leading the implementation and performance assessment of Customer Service Excellence, Sales Performance, Performance Coaching, Organisational Culture, Productivity and Leadership training within multiple major corporations.
Passionate, engaging and insightful, Naomi specialises in helping business leaders to create High Performing teams through a combination of mindset, toolkits and skillsets that are street proven to deliver results that matter.
