This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending a transformative retreat on "Living My Best Life." Little did I know that this experience would leave me with a profound realization: It's time to step out of my comfort zone and break free from the inertia that's been quietly holding me back.
The paradox?
I initially believed I had it all figured out.
I arrived at the retreat feeling rather self-satisfied, although I didn’t realize it. Life was good, and I was enjoying a fulfilling and comfortable existence. Isn’t that what we all long for? Why would I need to change anything? However, gradually over the weekend, through a series of conversations, hearing other women sharing their own epiphanies and personal transformations in health, wealth and creative expression, that I realized no matter how good life is, the pursuit of "better" is an ever-present possibility.
My own epiphany was far reaching into various facets of my life. I realized I could make improvements in my health, eat better, engage in more strength and flexibility training, read more, consume less, deepen my meditation practice, and even refine how I manage my finances. The list was, to put it mildly, extensive. Simultaneously excited and overwhelmed, I knew that I needed a manageable way to approach these changes which I knew were right for me, and could create even greater freedom and fulfillment.
Then, as often happens when I’m in a place of expansion, transformation and flow, I stumbled upon a podcast, that provided the perfect path forward. The episode discussed a particular approach of making changes incrementally—just 10% at a time. This idea immediately resonated with me. Although I was already familiar with similar ideas of changing habits using things I can do it two minutes to create leverage, or “just doing the next right thing”, this 10% idea presented a an achievable interim goal on the path to a bigger transformation. It allowed me to see progress and proof faster. Instead of attempting giant leaps, this approach encouraged taking one manageable step at a time, then celebrate the win as well.
The 10% Approach to Transformation
Now, I've made a firm commitment to embark on a journey of self-improvement with a 10% mindset. This means seeking 10% more health, 10% less time scrolling through social media, 10% more time dedicated to reading, and 10% improvement in financial management. It's a path of gradual, sustainable progress that allows me to continuously grow and evolve, without the anxiety or frustration that often accompanies overly ambitious, too broadly sweeping changes.
Applying the 10% Approach to Business
The power of the 10% approach doesn't just extend to personal growth but can also be a game-changer in the world of business. Often, entrepreneurs and business owners find themselves overwhelmed by the myriad tasks and goals they set for their companies—never mind those they hold simultaneously in their personal lives. The desire for rapid success and monumental changes can lead to burnout and stress.
Instead, imagine applying the 10% mindset to your business endeavors. It's a refreshingly practical approach to achieving your objectives without succumbing to overwhelm. Here's how you can use the 10% approach to attain your business goals more effectively:
1. Set Realistic Goals: I’m all about creating a bold, audacious vision for your business. Reaching it, however, will inevitably take time. Instead of setting unrealistic, setting-yourself-up-to-fail goals for your business, break them down into smaller, achievable milestones. By aiming for 10% improvements in various aspects of your business, you'll make steady progress over time and actually reach you big vision faster!
2. Incremental Business Growth: Look at your business operations, and identify areas where you can make small but meaningful changes. It could be in client acquisition, leadership development, customer service, marketing, product development, or financial management. Seek a 10% enhancement in these areas to steadily advance your business.
3. Consistency Over Intensity: Rather than launching into massive overhauls, aim for consistent, gradual improvements. This ensures that your team can adapt, learn, and implement changes without feeling overwhelmed.
4. Stress Reduction: The 10% approach can significantly reduce stress and overwhelm, both for you and your team. Smaller, manageable changes are less likely to disrupt daily operations.
5. Continuous Adaptation: Business landscapes evolve rapidly. The 10% approach encourages ongoing adaptation and refinement. It allows you to remain agile and responsive to market shifts.
Incorporating the 10% approach into your business philosophy can lead to sustained growth, a happier, more motivated team (even if you are the entire team yourself!) and a healthier work environment.
Unlocking Transformation
The 10% approach isn't about settling for mediocrity; it's about making consistent, manageable changes that eventually accumulate into significant transformation. As I embrace this philosophy in my personal life, I'm also excited about its potential in the realm of my business. It's a way to achieve more, do better, and evolve without being overwhelmed by the process.
By adopting this mindset, we become able to unlock the power of gradual, sustained growth wherever we feel it is needed or desirable. The journey may appear slower, but it's more likely you will arrive at your destination instead of fizzling due to burnout. So, here's to embracing the 10% approach and its potential to bring about profound results in all aspects of life.