Over the past few years, I’ve started hearing it more and more. People are increasingly aware that if they are not getting better, they are getting worse. There’s no such thing as holding the exact same static position in business, a relationship, learning, etc. With this thought in mind, the phrase “Getting 1% better every day” has become very popular in recent times.

The concept is fantastic. Improving by say 15% each day is impossible and would lead to frustration and burnout. As mentioned above, staying stagnant actually equates to getting 1% WORSE. So small, bite-size, consistent improvement must be the mindset.

But knowing this isn’t enough. In my experience, the reason that people do not consistently get better is that they A) do not focus, B) on something specific, C) over a period of time. Most people simply show up, do work, respond instinctively to whatever stimuli they happen to encounter, and then go home and do it all over again the next day. This keeps them growing at a snail’s pace and sadly it prevents them from achieving anywhere near their true potential.

The improvement equation

The issue really comes down to HOW. If you and I commit to consistently growing, then what should we do to make this a reality?

Here’s the growth formula for getting 1% better each day:

I + F * T = G

First, consume and capture growth-focused content. This is the “I”, an INPUT. A good input can be a specific quote from a book, podcast, YouTube video, or something that a mentor shares in person. But in my experience, the most efficient source for this content are short articles (just like this one). You can blaze through them quickly, skim a little if needed, and most importantly they are already written in text so when you find a gold nugget you can copy and paste to capture it!

Second, as you consume and capture content gold nuggets, simply take those and use them as daily/weekly focus points. The “F” is for FOCUS. For years I have done this by writing quotes on a notecard and carrying it in my shirt pocket that day. Or you can take a picture of the quote and set it as your phone wallpaper. Whatever you do, keep it on you so that it will be viewed throughout each day, as opposed to say on a bathroom mirror. Then just use the input as your focus point and work to filter your words, attitudes, and actions through it for a period of time.

The “T” stands for TIME, and this is the third and final part of the equation. The longer that you give to focusing on a certain input, the more growth you will experience in that area.

Input + Focus * Time = Growth

For example: “Seek first to understand then to be understood” (from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey) is a great input. Set this as a phone reminder and spend one week focusing on it and aim to do this in as many interactions with others as possible over the seven days.

*You can see a list of inputs that I have used in the past to help direct reports maximize their growth at the bottom of this post.

Simple > Genius

As I have mentioned before, Albert Einstein held that the five levels of intelligence are, in rank order: Smart, intelligent, brilliant, genius, and then SIMPLE. Simple does not mean easy to achieve or execute, but it does mean clear and understandable. When used consistently, this SIMPLE process for continuous improvement will permeate who you are and will provide the tool needed to truly improve 1% every day. I once took author Mark Manson’s challenge and spent one entire year focusing on believing that I was 100% responsible for everything that occurred in my life, no matter what. This experience truly grew me more than I ever could have anticipated!

If you would like a deeper dive into the 1% better equation, email me for my free full 45-minute recorded cohort session on this topic.

One tangible action:

Subscribe to James Clear’s 3-2-1 free weekly email blast. Pick one thing from his weekly email and focus on it for one week. Do this for 4 straight weeks.

Pro Tip:

Don’t be afraid to extend a specific focus for a longer period of time, or cut it shorter, when needed. I’ve done one day, one year, and everything in between!

*Example Input List:

-Week 1 – Be impeccable with your word – Speak only life, encouragement and truth to others and yourself.
-Week 2 – Don’t take anything personally – Understand that anything that another person does is a reflection of them and not of you.
-Week 3 – Don’t make assumptions – Ask and clarify, do not assume or let imagination run wild.
-Week 4 – Always give your best at a task – Give no more and no less than your best.
-Week 5 – Manage with calm aggressiveness in the midst of chaos – Prioritize what is most important RIGHT NOW, then immediately move to execute that.
-Week 6 – Manage with candor – Avoid managing too nice. Clearly tell employees what you need and expect, and do it kindly but candidly.
-Week 7 – Manage nuances – Avoid managing too general. Notice and capitalize on chances to coach on important nuances of service and small details in the business.
-Week 8 – Focused leadership – Enjoy work but avoid having fun while lacking attention to the business. Avoid being too focused on team and not enough on customers.
-Week 9- Do unpleasant work – Do the things that others around you do not want to do. Seek these things out then do them.
-Week 10 – Risk the 2% – Don’t allow the 2% of people who will get upset, team or customers, to make you afraid to say the right thing or take the correct action for the other 98%.
-Week 11 – Close standards gaps – Ensure that there is no gap between what we say the standard is and then what we allow to be acceptable. “It’s not what you say, it’s what you tolerate. A culture is defined by the worst actions that are ignored and tolerated.”
-Week 12 – Professional Presence – Inspire confidence. Making others feel confident in you through your words and actions. Project a sense of authority and inspire others to follow.
-Week 13 – Networking – Create and update a LinkedIn profile. Connect with CFA people. Begin to do one post per month.