The 1% Rule in Business: Why Small Daily Improvements Create Massive Long-Term Wins
Decisive Leadership
Empowering businesses and individuals to collaboratively achieve their highest potential
TL;DR: Massive progress doesn’t need massive action. Improving by just 1% each day — in the right direction — creates powerful, long-term business results. Small changes done consistently are how great businesses are actually built.
In business, it’s tempting to chase the big moments.
The game-changing launch. The huge client win. The perfect hire. These milestones are important — but they’re rarely what sustains growth.
Real success, the kind that builds over time and doesn’t burn you out, comes from something far less exciting:
Getting 1% better each day.
This idea, made famous by James Clear in Atomic Habits, is powerful for business owners. It flips the script. You don’t need to transform everything overnight — you just need to improve one thing, slightly, today.
Done right, those small improvements compound fast.
Why the 1% Rule Works in Business
The 1% rule says that if you improve by just 1% every day, you’ll be 37 times better in a year.
That’s the power of compounding — applied to habits, systems, and leadership.
Here’s what it might look like in business:
You improve how you start each day
You automate one repetitive task
You give clearer feedback in your next team meeting
You review your cash flow just a bit more regularly
You refine your offer, email copy, or pitch — slightly
On their own, none of these will make headlines. Together, they build a business that runs smoother, grows faster, and requires less correction over time.
Why Big Leaps Often Fail
Most business owners are wired to move fast. When things get stuck, they look for a big fix.
The rebrand. The new hire. The total restructure.
These can help, but they come with risk — and often, they’re used as a reaction to deeper issues that consistent action could have solved earlier.
Small changes feel boring. That’s why most people skip them. Which is exactly why they work.
What 1% Looks Like in Real Life
Let’s say you want better team communication. You don’t need to roll out a new platform and training program all at once.
Start with this:
✅ Send a short team check-in every Monday.
✅ Ask one person each week what’s unclear in their role.
✅ Clarify expectations in your next meeting.
Those 1% shifts build trust. They make people more confident. They prevent future confusion. Before long, you’re not just communicating better — you’re leading better.
This applies everywhere: marketing, finance, operations, client service, mindset.
The point isn’t to move fast. It’s to move with intent.
Decisive Leaders Understand Compounding
Decisive leadership isn’t just about bold calls. It’s about consistently choosing what matters — even when it’s small.
Great leaders know that:
10 small actions done well beat 1 huge, delayed plan
Systems are built over time, not in one workshop
Habits show what you really value — not your strategy docs
They lead by example. They make time for refinement. They resist the urge to wait until things are “ready”.
Because here’s the truth: done consistently beats perfect every time.
What’s Getting in the Way?
If you’re stuck waiting for the right moment to improve, ask:
What’s one thing in your business that feels slightly off?
Where do I keep saying “I’ll fix that later”?
What can I do today — even for 10 minutes — to move it forward?
You don’t need to change everything. Just change one thing today. Then again tomorrow.
Where to Apply the 1% Rule
Want to know where to start? Here are five high-impact areas for 1% improvements:
Your Time – Block one extra hour per week for focused work
Your Systems – Document one repeated task this week
Your Clients – Add one extra check-in to show you care
Your Team – Give clearer feedback or celebrate a small win
Your Offers – Improve one part of your proposal or pricing clarity
Don’t wait for permission. Just start.
Small Doesn’t Mean Weak
This is important: small changes don’t mean soft leadership.
They reflect discipline, clarity, and intent. They show you’re thinking long-term, not just reacting.
It’s easy to chase quick wins. It takes strength to show up, refine, and repeat what works.
That’s the kind of leadership that earns trust - and builds momentum.
A Question for You
What’s one small improvement you’ve made recently - or know you need to make - that would have long-term impact if you committed to it daily?
Drop it in the comments, or DM me if this is something you're working through.👇
Ready to Build Your 1% Plan?
If you’re tired of chasing “big changes” and ready to build a business that improves daily - through clear systems and aligned action - I’d love to help.
We’ll design the habits, frameworks and leadership structure to support your next level - sustainably.
🔗 Book a chat: https://dlp.coach/bss
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