I've been talking a lot about making a 1% improvement each day to make a huge difference in just a little time.  What is the easiest way to get started?

​Where can I start?  I keep referring to 14 minutes as the “magic” number.  That’s because 14 minutes represents just 1% of your day.  As seen above, just 1% of your day can lead to a 37 fold increase in your abilities or level in just one year.
 
Using 14 minutes to plan your day can be an effective time management strategy that offers several benefits. Here's why:
1.    Efficient Use of Time: Taking a dedicated 14 minutes to plan your day allows you to make the most of your time. It's a relatively short period that provides enough space to outline your priorities, tasks, and schedule without being overly time-consuming. By investing this small amount of time upfront, you can save time and increase your productivity throughout the day.
2.    Clarity and Focus: Planning your day helps bring clarity to your goals and priorities. By spending 14 minutes to reflect on what needs to be accomplished, you can identify the most important tasks and allocate time and resources accordingly. This clarity enables you to focus on what truly matters, minimizing distractions and increasing your efficiency.
3.    Prioritization: Planning allows you to prioritize your tasks based on importance and urgency. By allocating time to critical activities during those 14 minutes, you can ensure that you address your most significant responsibilities first. This approach helps prevent procrastination and ensures that essential tasks are not overlooked.
4.    Reduced Stress: Planning your day in advance can reduce stress levels. By having a clear roadmap and knowing what to expect, you are less likely to feel overwhelmed or caught off guard by unexpected events. The act of planning in and of itself can provide a sense of control and calmness, allowing you to approach your day with a more composed mindset.
5.    Time Allocation: Allocating specific time slots for tasks during your planning session helps you manage your time effectively. By estimating how much time each activity requires, you can distribute your available time more efficiently and avoid overcommitting yourself. This approach fosters a sense of discipline and helps you stay on track throughout the day.
6.    Adaptability: While planning your day, you can anticipate potential challenges or conflicts that may arise. This foresight enables you to be more adaptable and proactive in handling unforeseen circumstances. If unexpected tasks or disruptions occur, having a plan in place allows you to adjust your schedule and make informed decisions more easily.   A study by University of California, Irvine found that it takes more than 23 minutes to return to an original task after being disturbed or interrupted.  Having a plan gets you back on track in a lot less time.
7.    Goal Alignment: Spending 14 minutes to plan your day ensures that your daily actions align with your larger goals and objectives. It helps you stay focused on the bigger picture and ensures that your daily activities contribute to your long-term aspirations. This alignment enhances your sense of purpose and keeps you motivated.
 
Remember, the specific time duration for planning your day can vary based on individual preferences and needs. The key is to find a dedicated period that works for you and allows you to efficiently organize your tasks, prioritize effectively, and start each day with clarity and intention.
 
There is a proverb that says “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time to plant a tree is today.”  Commit to starting today with just a 1% improvement in whatever area of your life you would most like to see improvement.

​The 1% better approach is not just about the time you spend actively improving yourself, but also about the mindset it cultivates.
 
If you strive to become 1% better each day for an entire year, the cumulative effect of your daily improvements can be remarkable. Let's do a quick calculation to see the potential growth:
Starting with a baseline of 100 units (representing your initial state or skill level), becoming 1% better each day means multiplying your current level by 1.01.
After one day: 100 units * 1.01 = 101 units. After two days: 101 units * 1.01 = 102.0 units. After three days: 102.01 units * 1.01 = 103.0 units ...
Continuing this progression for an entire year (365 days): 100 units * (1.01)^365 = 3740.93 units!
 

 
As you can see, by consistently becoming 1% better each day, you would end up with a growth of approximately 37 times your initial level. This represents substantial improvement over the course of a year.
 
It's important to note that this calculation assumes a linear progression of improvement and does not account for potential fluctuations, plateaus, or the complexities of learning and skill development. Nonetheless, it demonstrates the significant impact that small daily improvements can have when compounded over time.