I often find it amusing how people tend to obsess over grandeur and scale when it comes to making an impact on the world. There seems to be this illusion, a pressure almost, that one must create an echo so loud that it resonates with millions. The irony, however, is that this obsession can inadvertently lead to behaviors that end up being dogmatic and unproductive.
Sure, you can make a video that goes viral and is seen by millions, but what substantial, meaningful change does that truly bring about? Are lives being reshaped in a way that encourages their growth and progress? More often than not, the answer is no.
We spend so much time looking outward, trying to influence millions, that we overlook the small, yet powerful, opportunities for impact that are right in front of us.
This is where the "1% Rule" comes into play. It's about appreciating and leveraging the small, achievable tasks that can make your life or the lives around you 1% better, or even improve our natural environments.
Sure, you might not be able to overturn a Supreme Court decision, but you can plant a tree, native to your local land. You may not be able to heal every familial rift, but you can foster an environment where more of your family shares dinner together every night. And yes, maybe competing in a triathlon with 7% body fat isn't in your immediate future, but making a regular commitment to the gym, despite how you might feel on any given day, is absolutely doable.
There's a multitude of small, simple things we can do that have been proven to make a difference in lives, as countless others have done throughout history. And the magic of the 1% rule is in the stacking of these incremental actions. You realize that these tiny percentages start to compound, enhancing the quality of your life beyond your expectations.
But there's an even more powerful realization that comes with the practice of the 1% Rule – the profound understanding that you have agency over your life. You come to appreciate that you have the power to make your life better, to uplift those around you, and even to contribute to a flourishing environment. It's not about influencing millions but realizing the potency of the influence you already wield, whether it's over your life or your backyard.
The 1% Rule isn't about the grand gestures or monumental feats, but about the power of incremental changes that culminate into a life you can truly be proud of.
It's about realizing that each small action you take is a testament to your agency and free will – and in that lies your power to shape the world.