Posted on October 21, 2024
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Can a 1% improvement be the difference to success?
We often focus on grand gestures and transformative changes in our quest for success. However, the true key to sustainable growth and excellence often lies in the power of small, consistent improvements.
Daniel Walker from Afterburner recently shared the benefits of adopting the "1% Improvement Mindset" with some of our clients during keynote presentations at Cliftons. This approach is grounded in the concept of "marginal gains", popularised by Sir Dave Brailsford, who led the British Cycling team to remarkable success. The idea is simple: if you improve every area related to your goal by just 1%, the cumulative effect can be extraordinary.
Consider this: a 1% improvement every day for a year results in you being 37 times better at the end of that year. This exponential growth is the magic of compound interest applied to personal and organisational development.
The little steps that make a big impact
Implementing the 1% Improvement Mindset:
- Break down big goals: Identify small, actionable steps contributing to your larger objectives.
- Focus on the process, not just outcomes: Celebrate small wins and improvements in your daily routines and habits.
- Embrace consistency: Small improvements made consistently are more powerful than sporadic big leaps.
- Measure and track: Use data to monitor your progress and identify areas for improvement.
- Create a culture of continuous improvement: Encourage everyone in your organisation to find small ways to enhance their work.
The beauty of the '1% Improvement Mindset' lies in its simplicity. It's not about drastic changes, but about making slightly better decisions, creating more efficient processes, or learning one new thing each day. This approach is accessible to anyone, regardless of their role or industry.
1% is shown to add up
The power of incremental improvement is backed by compelling evidence. The groundbreaking study "The Progress Principle" by Harvard Business School professor Teresa Amabile revealed that of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work. Even small wins can tremendously boost inner work life.
Moreover, the 1% Improvement Mindset aligns perfectly with the concept of "kaizen" - the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement that has been a cornerstone of many successful businesses. Toyota's famous production system, which revolutionised manufacturing, is built on this principle.
1% is sustainable
One of the key benefits of the '1% Improvement Mindset' is its sustainability. Unlike big, dramatic changes that can lead to burnout or regression, small, incremental improvements are easier to integrate into daily routines and maintain over the long term. As leaders, we can foster this mindset within our teams and organisations by creating systems that encourage and reward continuous improvement, no matter how small. It means celebrating the small wins alongside the big victories. And it means leading by example, constantly seeking ways to improve our own performance by just 1%.
Remember, excellence is not a singular act but a habit. By adopting the 1% Improvement Mindset, we set ourselves and our organisations on a path of continuous growth and sustained success. In a world of constant change and fierce competition, this could be the edge that sets you apart.
Combining the big boosts with the daily progress = incredible change
At Cliftons, we often see organisations looking to make big improvements and major changes, booking our venues for sales conferences, strategy kick-offs and planning events, AGMs, intensive boot camp training and upskilling.
There's no denying that these events can provide powerful motivation for your team. (And we provide great spaces for these events with great food and beverages, AV and a dedicated team of event professionals.) However, the real results often come from the implementation after the day. Daniel Walker provides a timely reminder that outside the 'boosts' of these dedicated events, supporting your team to strive for 1% improvements every day or week ultimately creates incredible change and improvement in performance.
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In the spirit of reconciliation Cliftons Event Solutions acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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