Small Changes

“It is easy to over-estimate the importance of one defining moment and underestimate the value of making small improvements on a daily basis,” writes James Clear the author of Atomic Habits.

Why?

Well frankly, too often we get caught in the ‘bad news’ of today. Sometimes it can be frightening.

When you see a movie about a writer, you don’t see him tirelessly working on their novel for months or years, or a ‘Top Gun’ pilot doing repetitive circuits.

Oh no!

What you see is the revelatory moment or vision which suddenly makes it all worthwhile. The book complete and published and the low loud fly past at the graduation.

“Too often, we convince ourselves that massive success requires massive action,” Clear continues.

But it doesn’t work that way.

What is required is continuous improvement. The writing every day and meeting that word count; the accurate numbers and manoeuvres to go into the dog fight and be successful. The habit. The repetitive building block of improvement.

And it is simple. Logical. You can say 1% improvement isn’t particularly notable or noticeable but in the long run it is very meaningful.

Clear provides the math:

• 1% worse every day for one year: 0.99³⁶⁵ = 00.03
• 1% better every day for one year: 1.01³⁶⁵ = 37.78

The compounded interest of self-improvement. So, improving one percent every day is not merely a good strategy: it’s one of the best.

The word ‘atomic’ – not as in A-bomb that is relative to nuclear fusion but tiny molecules like building blocks that join in occurring in a remarkable result.

 In other words, small changes often appear to have no effect until they pass the critical threshold. The delayed effects are powerful and reactionary.

So, what do you need to do to build healthy habits.

1. Make it obvious

2. Make it attractive

3. Make it easy

4. Make it satisfying

For example: If you want to read more but watch loads of TV, set yourself up for success and make it obvious, attractive, easy and satisfying.

Place the book you want to read it, out in the open and plan the time. Take the batteries out of the T.V remote. Then place something you like, maybe a small chocolate beside the book.

10 Things I have learned:

1. Build a system for getting 1% better every day.
2. Break your bad habits and stick to good ones.
3. Avoid the common mistakes most people make when changing habits.
4. Overcome a lack of motivation and willpower.
5. Develop a stronger believe in yourself.
6. Make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy).
7. Design your environment to make success easier.
8. Make tiny, easy changes that deliver big results.
9. Get back on track when you get off course.
10. And most importantly, how to put these ideas into practice in real life.

My personal compound of improvement has seen me gain more sleep, reaching targeting milestones and achieve personal goals by improving my habits, one day at a time.

Interested in learning more: read “Atomic Habits” by James Clear

Liza