7 simple (not easy) steps to get 1% better each day
Sports people love to talk about the idea of "getting 1% better every day."
It makes sense. The idea has a lot of appeal. If you can break winning down into just getting a little better each day, it makes the whole endeavor feel less overwhelming and easy. And for those who've read James Clear's work, you know this 1% better each day turns into 37x better over the year.
The problem is nobody actually tells you how to do it. You're supposed to get 1% better each day, just by “showing up and being consistent.”
Nonsense.
There’s a framework you can follow that’ll hhelp you get 1% better each day — for real.
It looks like this:
Let’s break it down briefly.
Have a goal. If you don’t have one yet, set one. Goals create the context for our focus and action.
Make a plan. A goal without a plan is just a wish, they say.
Get after it. Put the plan into action.
Monitor progress. As you’re acting, keep track of how it’s going and adjust on the fly.
Evaluate your training. Not, “it was great” or “it sucked,” but, “is what I’m doing getting me closer to my goal?”
Reflect. Debrief after training. Reflection consolidates learning.
Adjust. Based on today’s work, what do you need to focus on tomorrow?
7 simple steps (not easy) to getting 1% better every day. If you follow this cycle daily, you’ll be engaged in deliberate practice - the type of high-quality work that leads to meaningful progress.
Follow these steps each day on a skill you want to improve. You’ll get better. With enough practice, you might become expert.
Pick something you want to improve.
Practice taking yourself through the cycle today.