This changed my life

I’ve strongly believe in a concept I call the 5% rule. It’s simple: every time I do something—personally or professionally—I try to do it a little better than the last time, even if it’s just by 5%. This approach has helped me grow, step by step, without feeling overwhelmed. It reminds me that small changes can add up to make a huge difference in the long run.

Going Above and Beyond

One part of the 5% rule is to go above and beyond what people expect. For instance, I have a daily stand-up meeting with my team. Even though it happens every day, I try to make each session a little better. Sometimes that means asking more thought-provoking questions, or encouraging a team member to share an idea they’re unsure about. I do the same for myself.

Recently, we discussed the need for stronger marketing and branding. I’m not a marketing expert, but as CEO, I believe in leading by example. So, I started creating more marketing content—even if it felt awkward. Each time I post something new, I aim to improve on the last version. It might be sharper messaging, better visuals, or just more genuine storytelling. Pushing myself in these ways is a small step, but over time, it makes a big impact.

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

Another part of the 5% rule is challenging my own comfort level. Public speaking used to terrify me—and honestly, I still get nervous. When I know I have to speak in front of a large crowd, my heart races. Thoughts like, “What if I mess up?” flood my mind. But I’ve realized that by intentionally putting myself in those situations—meeting after meeting, presentation after presentation—I’ve slowly chipped away at that fear.

I don’t try to eliminate it in one go. Instead, I work on it little by little. Maybe I rehearse for five minutes longer, or I speak to a slightly bigger audience than before. Over time, those 5% improvements make a huge difference in my confidence.

The Power (and Pitfall) of Self-Awareness

Being self-aware is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, knowing myself means I understand what motivates me. I know which habits work for me, and which don’t. But it can also hold me back if I box myself into labels like “I’m not a risk-taker,” or “I’m not good at public speaking.” When I catch myself doing that, I remind myself that growth comes from recognizing my limitations and then pushing past them.

For example, I’ve always been aware that I have stage fright. But instead of using that self-awareness as an excuse, I see it as a reminder of where I need to stretch myself. Being the CEO, I can’t avoid speaking to people. The more I acknowledge this and work on it, the better I get.

Living in Permanent Discomfort

I believe in living in a certain level of discomfort—on purpose. Discomfort can be good. People do things like cold plunges, intense workouts, and challenging conversations to keep themselves on their toes.

Take my story about hot showers: growing up in India, I often had only cold water. Now that I have easy access to hot water, I savor my hot showers. But one day, I decided to switch to a cold shower, just to see how it felt. It was shocking—but after I did it, I felt a rush of energy and a sense of accomplishment. That little bit of self-inflicted discomfort sparked a new level of motivation in me. It reminded me that choosing to be uncomfortable can help me become more resilient in other areas, too.

Competing With No One but Myself

Finally, the 5% rule has taught me that I’m only competing with myself. It’s easy to compare my progress with others—especially when I see people achieving big things on social media or in my professional circle. But everyone’s journey is different. The true measure of growth is whether I’m doing better than I did yesterday, not whether I’m doing better than someone else.

The Compounding Effect

What makes the 5% rule so powerful is compounding. Improving by just 5% each time might seem small in the moment, but over weeks, months, and years, it can lead to huge gains. In my experience, this has proven true in my communication skills, leadership style, and personal habits. Little steps add up, and before you know it, you’re miles ahead of where you started.

I encourage my team—and anyone reading this—to adopt the 5% rule. Focus on small changes. Repeat them. Improve a little bit more each time. Whether it’s in your professional life, personal life, or anywhere in between, those tiny improvements will keep adding up until you look back and realize just how far you’ve come.

Thanks for reading, and here’s to getting 5% better every single day!

With love

Akhil