The 1% Rule

Usman Ahmad
4 min readOct 15, 2023

Have you ever set a goal for yourself, but then given up because it seemed too difficult? Or maybe you’ve achieved some success, but you’re still not where you want to be.

If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle to achieve their goals because they focus on making big, drastic changes. But the truth is, small, incremental improvements are the key to long-term success.

This is where the 1% rule comes in.

The 1% rule is a simple but powerful strategy that can help you achieve any goal, no matter how big or small. It’s based on the idea that if you improve by just 1% each day, over time, you will see incredible results.

For example, imagine you want to lose 10 pounds. If you start by reducing your calorie intake by 1% each day, after one year, you will have lost over 36 pounds!

Or, maybe you want to start writing a book. If you start by writing for just 10 minutes each day, and then increase your writing time by 1% each day, after one year, you will have written over 180,000 words!

The 1% rule can be applied to any area of your life, from your health and fitness to your career and relationships. It’s a simple but effective way to achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life.

How to apply the 1% rule

Here are a few tips on how to apply the 1% rule to your life:

  • Start small. Don’t try to change too much at once. Pick one area of your life that you want to improve, and focus on making small, incremental changes.
  • Be consistent. The key to the 1% rule is to be consistent with your efforts. Even if you can only spare a few minutes each day, make sure to focus on improving your chosen area.
  • Track your progress. It’s helpful to track your progress so that you can see how far you’ve come and stay motivated. You can keep a journal, use a habit tracker, or simply set small goals for yourself.

Examples of the 1% rule in action

Here are a few examples of how the 1% rule can be applied in different areas of your life:

  • Health: If you want to lose weight, start by reducing your calorie intake by 1% each day. You can also start walking for 10 minutes each day and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workouts over time.
  • Relationships: If you want to improve your relationships, start by making small changes to your daily interactions. For example, you can make a conscious effort to be more present and mindful when you’re spending time with your loved ones. You can also try to express your appreciation and gratitude more often.
  • Career: If you want to advance your career, start by learning new skills and knowledge. You can also network with people in your field and volunteer for new opportunities.

I used to be a very shy person. I didn’t like to speak up in class or at meetings. But I knew that I wanted to be more confident and assertive. So I decided to apply the 1% rule.

I started by making small changes, like making eye contact with people when I spoke to them and raising my hand in class more often. Over time, I became more comfortable speaking up in front of others. I started participating in meetings and even volunteering to give presentations.

Today, I am a confident and outgoing person. I am grateful for the 1% rule because it helped me to achieve my goal of becoming more assertive.

Challenges and setbacks

Of course, no journey to success is without its challenges and setbacks. There will be days when you don’t feel like putting in the effort. And there will be times when you experience setbacks.

But the important thing is to keep going. Remember, even small improvements add up over time. Just focus on getting 1% better each day, and you will eventually reach your goals.

Conclusion

The 1% rule is a simple but powerful strategy that can help you achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life. It’s based on the idea that if you improve by just 1% each day, over time, you will see incredible results.

If you’re serious about achieving your goals, I encourage you to give the 1% rule a try. It’s a simple but effective way to make progress and achieve your dreams.

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Usman Ahmad

Experienced finance professional with a deep understanding of business, dedicated to driving financial success and empowering companies to succeed.