Why Being Lazy Can Make You Successful and Why Hard Work is Overrated!

Small Wins, Big Gains: How Doing Less Can Help You Achieve More

Ever felt like you’re drowning in a sea of tasks? I’ve been there. In 2018, juggling multiple roles, my to-do list was longer than Santa’s naughty list. But what if I told you that a mere 1% improvement each day could make you 37 times better in a year? This isn’t a gimmick; it’s a life-changing principle I discovered in James Clear’s "Atomic Habits." Today, I’ll show you how this tiny change transformed my life and career, and how you can use it to achieve more by doing less.

We hear the phrase "hard work" tossed around like pizza dough, glorified as if it’s a magic spell that can solve all our problems. But guess what? Studies show that 40% of employees are burned out from overwork (Gallup, 2020). It's time to rethink our approach. And here’s the kicker: you don’t have to work hard, just be consistently lazy in a smart way. Consistency is key!

Understanding the 1% Rule

One particularly stressful evening in 2018, as I was Googling creative ways to resign from my job, I stumbled upon "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. Instead of drafting my resignation letter, I found myself captivated by the idea of making tiny improvements every day. The concept? A 1% improvement each day adds up to a significant change over time.

I started spending an extra 5 minutes each day refining my training techniques. By the end of the year, I had transformed into a training ninja. Implementing micro-improvements in our training programs led to sales increase north of 1 billion pesos for a company I worked with. That’s right, 1 billion with a "B"! Remember, what you do every single day is a vote for the person you want to become. So, cast your votes wisely!

Why Being Lazy Can Make You Successful

I know what you're thinking: "Lazy? Successful? No way!" But hear me out. If you don’t want to work hard, you have to work smart. Being lazy doesn’t mean doing nothing; it means making the most of your efforts. The secret sauce? Consistency. Doing a little bit every day adds up to significant progress over time. Think of it as the lazy person’s guide to success – less effort, more results, but with a dash of discipline.

Lazy people are often masters of efficiency. They find the quickest and easiest way to get things done because they don't want to waste unnecessary effort. When you apply this principle to the 1% rule, you focus on small, manageable tasks that push you forward without overwhelming you. The key is to be consistently lazy – small steps every day, every week, every month.

Imagine you want to write a book but feel overwhelmed by the idea of writing 300 pages. Instead of trying to churn out the whole thing in a few sleepless nights, commit to writing just one page a day. By the end of the year, you'll have a 365-page manuscript – all thanks to your lazy, consistent effort.

Come to think of it, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. I know, I know, trying to swallow it whole is a choking hazard, not to mention impossible! For the lazy achiever, this means breaking down your massive goals into tiny, digestible chunks. Tackling a small piece every day ensures steady progress without the burnout. Plus, you can still binge-watch your favorite series guilt-free because, hey, you did your bit for the day!

The Science Behind Small Wins

The concept of small wins isn’t just motivational fluff; it’s grounded in solid scientific research. The idea is that by achieving small, incremental improvements, you can build momentum and create a positive feedback loop that drives further success.

When you achieve a small win, your brain releases dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter. This reward makes you feel happier and more motivated to continue working towards your goals. It’s like giving your brain a high-five. Every time you complete a task, no matter how small, you get a little burst of happiness. Over time, these bursts add up, creating a strong association between effort and positive outcomes.

Research published in the Harvard Business Review by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer found that making progress in meaningful work is the most powerful motivator. They analyzed nearly 12,000 diary entries from 238 employees across seven companies and discovered that small wins had a profound impact on their emotions and motivation. The more frequently people experienced progress, the more likely they were to be creatively productive in the long term.

Small wins also contribute to a cumulative effect that can lead to significant change over time. It’s similar to compound interest in finance. Just as a small amount of money can grow exponentially with consistent contributions, small improvements can lead to substantial progress over time. By focusing on making 1% improvements each day, you’re essentially investing in your future success.

Imagine a fitness goal. If you improve your performance by just 1% each day, by the end of the year, you’ll be 37 times better than when you started. This principle can be applied to any area of your life – from learning a new skill to enhancing your professional capabilities. The key is consistency and recognizing that even the smallest steps forward are steps in the right direction.

Our daily stand-up meetings where team members shared their 1% improvements not only boosted team spirit (and provided a healthy dose of competition) but also led to a steady increase in productivity and innovation. Who knew a bit of daily bragging could be so beneficial?

The Problem with "Ningas Kugon"

In the Philippines, we have a term for people who start with a bang but quickly fizzle out: "ningas kugon." It describes the initial excitement that burns brightly but soon dies down, leaving nothing but ashes of good intentions. This is what happens when you try to give 100% or even 50% every single day. It’s unsustainable, leads to burnout, and eventually, you’ll lose interest and remember the pain instead of enjoying the journey.

Imagine you decide to get fit and set a goal to run 5 kilometers every day. Day one, you’re pumped, sprinting down the street like an Olympic athlete. Day two, you’re sore but still motivated. By day three, your legs feel like they’ve been hit by a truck, and by the end of the week, you’re contemplating if rolling out of bed counts as exercise. This is ningas kugon in action – burning bright and burning out just as quickly. Instead, start with a manageable 1% improvement, like walking for 10 minutes a day, and gradually increase it. This way, you're building a sustainable habit that you can stick with.

Have you ever wondered why doctors don't just let you take all 300 vitamins in one day? Or why they won't let you gulp down all your meds at once instead of spacing them out every 8 hours? Overdose and lack of absorption, my friend. Your body needs time to process and benefit from each dose. The same principle applies to your goals – small, consistent steps ensure you absorb and integrate each improvement effectively, avoiding burnout and ensuring steady progress.

I’ve seen it happen countless times in my career. New trainees come in with all the enthusiasm in the world, giving their all on day one. By the end of the week, they're exhausted, disillusioned, and ready to quit. It’s like sprinting a marathon – it’s just not feasible. The 1% rule, on the other hand, promotes steady, sustainable growth. Small, consistent steps ensure you stay engaged and motivated without burning out.

Introducing PERMA: Enhancing Your Journey

Dr. Martin Seligman’s PERMA model in Positive Psychology stands for Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. By integrating the 1% rule with PERMA, you not only achieve more but also enhance your overall well-being. Here's how each element of PERMA can be supercharged with the 1% rule:

Positive Emotion:

• Daily Joy: Focus on small wins that bring you joy. For me, it was the satisfaction of a well-executed training session or a successful workshop. These moments of joy are like tiny sparks that light up your day.
• Celebrate Success: Take a moment to celebrate your 1% improvements. It could be as simple as a mental high-five or treating yourself to your favorite coffee. After completing a challenging task, I’d reward myself with a cappuccino from my favorite café.

Engagement:

• Stay Present: Engaging fully in tasks, even for short periods, can lead to a state of flow. I found that immersing myself in creating new training materials made the process more enjoyable. It’s like diving into a good book – time flies, and you’re left feeling fulfilled.
• Micro-Engagements: Break tasks into smaller, manageable pieces. This makes it easier to dive deep into each segment without feeling overwhelmed. Tackling one section of a training program each day kept me engaged and productive.

Relationships:

• Connect Regularly: Use your 1% improvements to strengthen relationships. I made it a habit to check in with team members and celebrate their small wins. This not only built stronger bonds but also created a supportive environment.
• Support System: Surround yourself with a supportive community. Our team’s daily stand-ups not only boosted productivity but also fostered a sense of camaraderie. Sharing our small victories helped us stay connected and motivated.

Meaning:

• Find Purpose: Align your 1% improvements with your bigger goals and values. Each small step I took was aligned with my mission to elevate the real estate industry. This gave my daily tasks more significance and kept me motivated.
• Purposeful Tasks: Engage in activities that give you a sense of meaning. For me, developing training programs that helped others grow was incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that my work made a difference in others’ lives added a layer of purpose to my efforts.

Accomplishment:

• Track Progress: Keep a journal to record your daily wins. This visual reminder of progress can be incredibly motivating. I used a simple notebook to jot down my achievements, no matter how small, and it served as a powerful motivator.
• Set Milestones: While focusing on daily improvements, set larger milestones to track significant achievements. This helped me see the bigger picture while appreciating the small steps. Completing a major project was a milestone, but the daily steps I took to get there were equally important.

My Journey with NASP

Recently, I became a Certified Professional Sales Leader through the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP). Why did I choose their certification program over others? Simple: they break it down into tiny, manageable bits over six weeks. It aligns perfectly with the 1% rule. I understand the importance of showing up every single day and doing the things that will make me a better sales professional by building consistent habits. Clocking over 10 years in my career, I love the idea of investing in a learning journey, not just an overnight fix.

And let's be honest, who doesn't love the idea of learning in bite-sized, manageable chunks rather than cramming for a high-stakes test? NASP's program was like savoring a fine dining experience over six weeks instead of stuffing yourself at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Trust me, slow and steady wins the race – and also prevents indigestion!

Maybe in another newsletter, I’ll spill more details about my NASP journey. Maybe, maybe not. You’ll have to stay tuned!

Practical Tips for Implementing the 1% Rule with PERMA

Daily Habits:

• Start your day with a quick workout – a brisk walk or a few stretches.
• Dedicate 10 minutes to learning something new. Those LinkedIn Learning courses on generative AI are a goldmine.
• Reflect on your progress each evening. I call this my “mini CEO meeting” – strategizing world domination with myself.

Tracking Progress:

• Use a journal to jot down daily wins. There’s something oddly satisfying about crossing off achievements, even small ones.
• Set weekly and monthly milestones to keep the bigger picture in mind.

Overcoming Challenges:

• Expect setbacks. They’re like plot twists in your favorite TV series – annoying but essential for character development.
• Stay flexible. Adjust your strategies as needed. Remember, the 1% rule is about progress, not perfection.

Real Estate Applications

As a real estate training professional, applying the 1% rule can revolutionize your approach to teaching sales techniques and client relations. Here’s how I did it:

• Training Improvement: I dedicated a few minutes each day to mastering new training techniques. Over time, my sessions went from “meh” to “wow!”
• Client Relations: Adding small, thoughtful touches to client interactions – like remembering birthdays or sending thank-you notes – made a huge difference.
• Professional Development: Committing to daily learning helped me stay ahead in the industry. Whether it was a new certification or just a quick article, every bit counted.

By embracing the 1% rule and integrating it with the PERMA model, you can make continuous progress and enhance your well-being without feeling overwhelmed. Start today with small changes, and watch how they transform your personal and professional life over time. Remember, the journey to significant improvement and happiness begins with a single, small step.

Ready to start your journey of incremental improvement? Check out James Clear’s article on the 1% Rule and explore Dr. Martin Seligman’s work on Positive Psychology for more insights and practical tips. And if you need a cheerleader, you know where to find me.

For further reading, check out this article from Harvard Business Review and other resources on incremental improvement and positive psychology.

Before you dash off to conquer the world with your newfound 1% wisdom, make sure to subscribe to the Uncommon Sense Newsletter on LinkedIn! It’s your one-stop shop for personal growth, productivity hacks, and a sprinkle of humor. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but with a bit of uncommon sense, your empire of success is just a click away. Stay curious, stay motivated, and most importantly, stay awesome!

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