The new year always brings the same pressure: reinvent yourself, transform your life, set ambitious goals.
But here’s what actually happens: you commit to five new habits, overhaul your morning routine, and promise yourself that this year will be different. By February, you’re back where you started, frustrated and wondering why change feels so impossible.
The problem isn’t your willpower. It’s your approach. This post explores a 1% better approach to change that’s realistic, sustainable, and grounded in how people actually live.
Why Resolutions Fail
Most New Year’s resolutions are built on a false premise: that meaningful change requires dramatic transformation. We’re told to think big, go bold, make this the year everything changes.
This rarely works. It’s not because the goals are wrong, but because the method is unsustainable.
Big changes disrupt routines, demand constant willpower, and create friction. Motivation eventually (or quickly) fades, and the whole structure collapses. I’ve seen this pattern repeat over and over again working with nonprofit leaders.
The “Be Better” Mindset – A 1% Better Approach
There’s a different way to think about improvement. It’s not “new year, new you,” but simply: be better.
Not perfect. Not optimized. Just better than yesterday.
This is the foundation of the 1% principle. You may have heard of it referred to as marginal gains or continuous improvement. The idea is simple: small, consistent improvements compound over time into meaningful progress.
What the 1% Principle Is (and Isn’t)
The 1% principle is straightforward: small improvements compound over time. Consistent effort beats occasional intensity.
What it is:
- A commitment to small, manageable improvements
- Progress over perfection
- Sustainable growth that doesn’t require heroic effort
- A system that works even on days when it’s hard to find motivation
What it isn’t:
- A productivity hack to do more, faster
- A way to avoid real work
- An excuse for complacency
- A guarantee of overnight success
The 1% principle acknowledges a simple truth: most meaningful change happens slowly, then suddenly. You don’t see progress daily. But over weeks and months, the accumulation becomes undeniable.
Why Small Improvements Work
Small changes succeed where dramatic overhauls fail for several reasons:
They’re manageable. A 1% improvement doesn’t overwhelm your schedule or drain your energy. It fits into life as it already exists.
They build momentum. Each small win creates confidence and clarity. You learn what works without betting everything on a single approach.
They’re sustainable. You don’t need constant motivation to maintain a small change. It becomes part of your routine before you notice.
They compound. Improvements don’t just add up. They multiply. Better sleep improves focus. Better focus improves decision-making. Better decisions improve outcomes. The effects cascade.
What 1% Better Looks Like
For me, this looked like mornings. I was reaching for my phone before my feet hit the floor, starting every day reactively. My intent wasn’t to build a meditation practice or completely overhaul my routine. I just started waiting until after breakfast, when I sat down at my desk, to check messages. That one change shifted how the rest of the day felt.
Here’s what it might look like for you:
Work:
- Respond to one difficult email you’ve been avoiding
- Spend 15 minutes organizing your task list
- Ask one clarifying question in a meeting instead of nodding along
Mental Health:
- Take three deep breaths before checking your phone in the morning
- End one conversation before you’re drained, not after
- Write down one thing that went well today
Physical Health:
- Walk for 10 minutes
- Drink one extra glass of water
- Go to bed 15 minutes earlier
Finances:
- Automate one bill payment
- Review one subscription you forgot you had
- Move $5 to savings
Relationships:
- Send one genuine text to someone you care about
- Put your phone away during dinner
- Ask one real question instead of making small talk
Notice what these have in common: they’re small enough to do even on days when it’s hard to find motivation. That’s the point.
The Question That Matters
Here’s the only reflection you need to get started:
What would 1% better look like this month?
Not this year. Not this quarter. This month.
Choose one area. Pick one small thing. Do it consistently. See what happens.
You don’t need a vision board or a five-year plan. You need a next step that’s small enough to actually take.
Start Here
I put together a reflection tool to help you think through what 1% better might mean for you.
It’s not a challenge. There’s no pressure. Just a calm way to start the year with clarity instead of chaos.
Download Your 1% Reset: A Calm Start to the New Year
This year doesn’t have to be about total transformation. It can be about getting a little better, a little more intentionally, one day at a time.
Start small. Keep going. You’ll be surprised at what adds up.
Image by Antriksh Kudada from Pixabay