🌱 The Rule of 1%: Small Steps, Big Results
- Cynthiana Chamber
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
“Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.”—James Clear, Atomic Habits
We’ve all heard the advice to dream big—and you should. Big dreams give direction, fuel passion, and push us to grow. But here’s the catch: dreaming big only works if you also think small.
That’s where The Rule of 1% comes in.
This concept, popularized in books like The Rule of 1% by Tommy Baker and reinforced in James Clear’s Atomic Habits, is simple but powerful:
If you improve by just 1% every day, those small wins compound into massive progress over time.
So, how do you apply the Rule of 1%?
Here are five practical ways:
Start Your Day with a Small Win
Before diving into emails or to-dos, knock out one small task that moves the needle. Send that thank-you note. Schedule that check-in. Review your goals. It builds momentum and confidence.
Choose a 1% Improvement Area
Pick one part of your work or life to improve slightly. Maybe it’s customer follow-up. Maybe it’s your time management. Maybe it’s improving your health by walking five more minutes each day. Don’t try to fix everything—just tweak one thing, slightly.
Ask: “What’s One Thing I Can Do Better Today?”
This simple daily question creates a mindset of progress. It might be listening better, preparing a little more, or encouraging someone on your team. Write it down. Then do it.
Track It—Briefly
Keep a notebook or note on your phone where you jot down your 1% wins. Over time, you’ll see a streak of progress—and that creates motivation.
Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
The magic isn’t in doing it perfectly. It’s in doing it consistently. Focus on how far you’ve come—even if it’s just one small step.
A Real-World Example
In my own business, the Rohs Opera House, we've taken this approach with our annual Cynthiana Ghost Walk. We didn't build it to where it is today all at once, we improved it a little bit each year. Here's some examples of small steps we have taken since 2019 to make it one of Central Kentucky's Best. In fact, our Ghost Walk was selected as a 2024 Best in Kentucky winner in the category of Performing Arts by Midwestern Traveler Magazine.
2019: Decided that all storytellers would wear Victorian Era Costumes.
2020: Decided that we would limit all walking tours to a maximum of 25 participants to make the story-telling experience better for every customer.
2021: Decided to do away with "Child" ticket prices to dissuage small children from being brought on the walks (which often distracts from the walk)
2022: Raised prices. (As we had increased the quality of our product, the Rule of 1% can apply to the bottom line as well). Saw substantial increase in sales.
2023: Increased marketing efforts with professional photo-shoot of storytellers and creative ad campaign on social media.
2024: Added a 5th walk per night (all sold out, most participants in 19 years).
None of those actions alone are groundbreaking. But each adds to the improvements gained by the others. Anyone can do this, 1% at a time to improve your business or one aspect of our business (as we did). Maybe you need to be easier to find online, have more engagement on social media, or build credibility with real reviews. Momentum starts to build—and confidence does too.
That’s the power of 1%.
Why It Works
Big goals can be paralyzing. But small, consistent actions are achievable—and they compound. Whether you're growing a business, improving your leadership, or just trying to get a little more organized each day, 1% better every day leads to real transformation.
The business that improves customer experience by 1% each week becomes a place people talk about. The leader who grows 1% more intentional in their communication becomes someone others follow. The parent, teacher, or neighbor who makes 1% more time for connection becomes a difference-maker.
Dream big. But think small.Because 1% better every day is how big things actually get done.
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