By: Harper Sweeney
We, as humans, are much more similar to money than we think. As money can grow exponentially when interest is compounded, our personal growth can grow exponentially with consistency and dedication. Just how minor, financial investments yield greater returns over time, our small, simple actions also yield greater personal growth over time. Pushing yourself to become 1% better daily is the key to success, reiterated in James Clear's self-help book, Atomic Habits. When you improve each day by 1%, compared to when you wake up that morning, you are actively working to become a better version of yourself every day.
Even since I read this book, I have strived to upgrade myself daily. James Clear emphasizes the fact that your habits determine your life. He structures his book around four critical laws to see behavior change: make your habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. Focusing on small, manageable changes to become the type of person you aspire to be– rather than fixating on long-term immense goals– can effectively transform your habits, which will, in turn, transform your life.
When you dedicate yourself to becoming 1% better each day, these incremental changes become easier to implement again tomorrow. Because minuscule changes are less intense than dramatic changes, it is easier to sustain these improvements.
The 1% theory applies to every aspect of our lives. If we want to achieve a goal we set for ourselves, it is illogical to expect to go from no experience to expertise overnight. For example, an entrepreneur cannot convert from having no experience to becoming the CEO of a profitable company within a month. This requires a lot of time, work, precision, and effort. Entrepreneurs are more likely to succeed if they start by focusing on incremental steps rather than large, dramatic changes. Another example is if you desire to conquer a physical goal; say you want to lose weight. Losing weight is not a process that occurs overnight, rather it is the result of accumulated consistent habits. Sustainable weight loss takes time. There are steps you have to take to get to where you want to go. You will need to break down large goals into smaller, actionable steps.
Expertise in a subject requires consistency, resilience, and discipline. Discipline is the most important attribute. Motivation is temporary while discipline is forever. There are going to be days when you want to stay in your comfort zone, and of course, setbacks are unavoidable. Yet, setbacks are imperative to move forward. You have to be patient with the process. Once you see progress, you’re never going to want to go back to square one.
Is there something that you want to work towards? Whether it is a physical goal (improving your fitness), a mental goal (managing stress), or maybe a spiritual goal, (practicing prayer), identifying a precise goal is the first step. Formulate an action plan composed of small, manageable habits to work towards the ultimate goal. As James Clear emphasizes: make the habit easy, attractive, obvious, and satisfying. To make the habit easy: simplify the process. To make it attractive: pair the habit with a positive reward. To make the habit obvious: find ways to remind yourself. To make the habit satisfying: ensure immediate gratification. Remember, the journey is always more important than the destination. If you take that first step today, your future self is going to thank you.