Becoming A Little Bit Better Than Yesterday
That’s what “self-improvement” is all about
Many years ago, I came across a motivational tale on the Internet. It was about a high school principal who creates a board with a mathematical equation on it:
1.01³⁶⁵ = 37.8
A message has been written below this equation — if you manage to improve by 1% every day, you will be 37.8 times better than you were one year ago.
I wasn’t sure if this story is valid, but I definitely want to apply that formula to my life. I want to believe that if I insist on improving just a little bit every day, in 365 days, I would be way better than I was first started.
“Effort Counts Twice “— Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, by Angela Duckworth
Put In Effort And Make It Counts
Most people love watching superhero movies. The plot becomes interesting when a superhero who lost his power and became demotivated would come back to save the world and surprise everyone.
I like the “surprising” part, so I would lie low and improve myself to surprise others when I return on the stage. As Muhammad Ali suggested, I, too, want to make my days count.
How do I improve every day?
This question always leads to two answers — read and learn. All my readings added up to improve the way I learn. When I could learn better, I become better. That is a pretty straightforward causal relationship between reading, learning, and improving.
Improve In Multiple Directions
Motivational gurus would advise you to see your problems from multiple perspectives, so why would you only look at your improvement in a single direction?
A young student told me that she was sad because she hasn’t “improved” in calculating for days. I took her books, and I read what she wrote. I told her, “I see your improvement, right here!” I pointed to an answer she wrote. The “5” looks better than previous writing, where she used to write it like a pointy “s”, “you have learned to write the curve as it should, bravo!” I said.
Then she realised that she did improve in her writing. She left the class with a big smile and proudly announced her improvement to her parents when they come to fetch her home.
I hope this little girl’s story teaches you that you should never only expect improvement in a single direction as you would end up sad as she did. Instead, look at different aspects and find that 1% improvement every day. Acknowledge your improvement and celebrate your small wins as it is the potent evidence that your effort counts.
Many A Little Makes A Mickle
1.01³⁶⁵ = 37.8
Look closer and remind yourself that this equation contains two important elements:
- 1.01 — even a 0.01 improvement required effort, your effort. Be accountable for your own improvement. Take control.
- ³⁶⁵ — required daily repetition. Persistence and perseverance make a difference here. Do it, and repeat.
“Small daily — seemingly insignificant — improvements and innovations lead to staggering achievements over time.”— Robin S. Sharma
Find that 1%, and I am looking forward to seeing your staggering achievement in another 365 days!
