Achieving Your Goals: The 1% Incremental Change Approach

Achieving Your Goals: The 1% Incremental Change Approach

It’s Wimbledon! ?? One of my favourite times of the year.

Meaning you’ll find me glued to the TV set watching every game for the next 2 weeks. Breaking down every movement, serve and strategy the players use. In the hope that I can pick up some of their skills.?

Of course none of that matters unless I actually get on the court and put it all into practice.

When I was trying to improve my serve I used to spend most of my time berating myself for my lack of technique, speed and rubbish ability, leaving the court feeling frustrated and believing that it was never going to happen for me.

It was so bad that I actually started to dislike playing a sport I really did truly enjoy.

It wasn’t until I read James Clear’s book ‘Atomic Habits’ that I embraced the idea of the ’1% incremental change’.?

What’s the 1% incremental change approach?

The 1% incremental change approach is based on the concept of the 1% rule, which states that small improvements, consistently applied over time, lead to remarkable results.?

Instead of striving for immediate, drastic changes, this approach focuses on making incremental improvements every day.?

By breaking your goals down into manageable tasks, you can make steady progress and develop powerful habits that become automatic.

Set Small, Specific Goals:

One of the keys to successful implementation of the 1% incremental change approach is setting small, specific goals. Break down your larger goals into manageable chunks that can be accomplished within a short timeframe.?

So for my serve that was focussing on the smaller tasks that build to the overall serve, like practising the ball toss and getting that in the right position, throwing my serve without a ball at all repeatedly until I built muscle memory and practising throwing my arm without a racket at all.

Focus on Habits:

Habits form the foundation of our actions and shape our outcomes. By identifying the habits that align with your goals, you can consciously develop a routine that supports your desired outcome.?

This meant I had to commit to getting to the courts regularly, turning up early to any games or lessons to practise 5 minutes of pure serving, doing specific weights to build up power and air swinging my serving arm at any opportunity I could get!

Be intentional about the habits you cultivate, making sure they are aligned with your goals and contribute to your overall growth.?

Embrace the Power of Tracking:

Tracking your progress is crucial for maintaining motivation and accountability. Celebrate your small wins along the way and track your improvements diligently.?

This not only helps you stay committed to the process but also provides valuable insights into your growth. Use tools like habit trackers or journaling to document your progress and reflect on the lessons learned.

The 1% incremental change approach offers a powerful framework for achieving your goals while building confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome. Once I incorporated this thinking into my game I started to improve.?

Because I was being kinder to myself and focusing on the steps towards the end goal not only the end goal itself.

Which meant I left every lesson with a more positive frame of mind and celebrating those small wins.?Whether that was at least one good serve in, a better ball toss or getting more speed on a few serves even though I didn’t get them in.

This simple mindset shift was a game changer for me and I’ve shared it many times with my clients.

By focusing on small, consistent improvements and cultivating supportive habits that align with your goals, you can make steady progress towards your desired outcome.?

Remember, success is not an overnight phenomenon but a result of consistent effort and perseverance. Embrace the power of the 1% incremental change approach, and watch as your small steps lead to remarkable transformations in your life.

Where could you use the 1% incremental change approach in your life today?

#PoschologyCoaching #GoalSuccess #ImposterSyndromeExpert #Mindset