In 2025 I purchased the 1% diary from the Diary of a CEO
I completed my 90 days and by the end of it, I had consistently done my non-negotiable actions, and completed a business project in less time. If I’m honest I set myself up with more 1%’s than I should have, but guess what? I managed to achieve more and get the results I wanted even though some actions were delayed.
Since then, I have given the 1% diary as a gift to others and have added the topic to my growth workshops. More importantly I still follow the 1% rule and if I am honest in many ways, it’s been a game changer.
When I first started out in the personal growth space; I was all about goal setting. Goals, Goals, Goals! But they have a shelf life and require ‘motivation’. And motivation can fluctuate. I found there were goals I was achieving and then there were goals that I kept carrying over.
I have learned from experience and from other experts like Author James Clear, that its about the process, the systems, the habits, that determine the result. Set the goal. Focus on the habits. Take the small actions daily that lead to goal achievement. We often set goals, but the behaviour never changed, because we never put a system or adopted a new habit to support the goal.
Real transformation rarely comes from one big, dramatic decision. More often, it comes from small shifts repeated consistently. That’s the heart of the 1% rule: improve by just 1% each day and watch what happens over time.
James Clear popularised this idea in Atomic Habits, explaining that small habits compound just like money. If you get 1% better every day for a year, you’ll end up 37 times better by the end of it (Clear, 2018, https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits). That’s not hype — it’s the mathematics of compounding. Steven Bartlettalso explores incremental improvement and personal standards in The 1% Diary, reinforcing the power of tiny daily commitments that build identity and results over time.
The beauty of the 1% rule is that it feels doable. You don’t need a complete life overhaul. You need one small upgrade.
In business or at work, 1% might look like asking one powerful question in your sales pitch each day, improving one system each week, or following up with one extra lead. Over a year, that’s hundreds of improvements. Tiny tweaks to communication, leadership style, or customer experience can transform revenue and confidence.
In health and fitness, 1% could mean adding 20 squats to your daily walk, adding protein to each meal, or going to bed 30 minutes earlier.
When it comes to self- care, 1% is about routine. Cleansing properly. Deep hair conditioning once a week, or a DIY face lift. These small rituals progress and enhance over time. You don’t see dramatic change overnight, but six months later, the glow speaks for itself.
Relationships thrive on 1% too. One more compliment. One more thoughtful message. Five minutes of undistracted presence. Tiny deposits into the emotional bank account build trust, connection, and depth.
Performance and personal growth follow the same principle. Read ten pages. Reflect for five minutes. Journal one lesson learned. Action the highest value task first. Over time, you become someone who shows up sharper, calmer, more intentional.
The key is identity. The 1% rule isn’t just about results — it’s who you become. Who do you want to be? Who do you want to be known as?
Our daily habits become our identity.
Big change feels exciting. But small change is sustainable.
Action; start with one area today that needs improvement.
Ask yourself: what would a 1% action look like daily that brings me a result?
Then repeat tomorrow and the next day and so on.
To your 1% transformation
Neelam
Neelam is the founder of Designer Life Coaching and House of Leaders. A leading and award-winning coach who is fervent about human potential. She is the creator of Redesign and Elevate-Her, self-coaching programmes for Women.