Success is a concept that has intrigued and motivated people for centuries. We often hear stories of overnight sensations, but we don’t always hear about the countless small, unseen efforts that lead to those moments of triumph. This is where the Law of Incremental Improvements comes into play. It declares that every success, no matter how grand or sudden it may seem, is the culmination of numerous tiny, often unappreciated steps along the way. In this blog, we’ll explore this law and discover how acknowledging and embracing it can lead to achieving our goals and dreams.

The Law of Incremental Improvement

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” This ancient Chinese proverb encapsulates the essence of the Law of Incremental Improvements. Success is rarely an instantaneous event; instead, it is the product of consistent, small, and often imperceptible actions taken over time. Here are some key aspects of this law:

1. Consistency is Key: Success isn’t about making one giant leap; it’s about taking small, consistent steps in the right direction. These steps might seem insignificant on their own, but they add up over time.
2. The Compound Effect: Just as money invested wisely can grow exponentially over time due to compound interest, so too can our efforts accumulate and yield substantial results. Each small improvement builds upon the last, creating a snowball effect.
3. Persistence Matters: Success often involves facing setbacks and challenges. The Law of Incremental Improvements reminds us that even during tough times, consistent effort can lead to eventual triumph.
4. Hidden Efforts: Many actions that contribute to success are hidden from the public eye. They happen behind closed doors, late at night, and on weekends when no one is watching. These unseen efforts are the building blocks of achievement.

As said, The Law of Incremental Improvement states that every success is the accumulation of tiny efforts that no one sees or appreciates. No success is too big or too small for this law not to take effect. In simple terms, both success and failure can lead to improvement. That means the failure that you are ruminating on. All the “no’s” you are getting is building you up for improvement, which will inevitability lead to success.

I understand it is easy to speak about how failure is a stepping stone when you are not living in it, but great things do not happen because we want them to; they happen because we will them too. For example, if we look at famous authors in the world like Dr. Suess or a more recent author, J.K Rowling, we see that these authors are renowned for their work, but yet, in the beginning, no one wanted to sign them.

Just as these two authors had a difficult time finding a publisher to accept their book, so do we have an idea we want to share with the world that comes with many roadblocks. Anyone today would love to speak to these two authors and learn about their success, but in reality, that success was not instant, it was built on many failures that finally led them to the spotlight in which their name resides.

Thomas Edison famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” His journey to inventing the light bulb was a testament to the Law of Incremental Improvements. Each “failure” was a small step closer to success. Even though many people still fear failure because of what the notion of failure means to the mindset, that your a loser and not a winner. Today, I want you to rewrite the definition of failure in your head to not winning or succeeding but rather improving in some marginal way.

World-class athletes don’t become champions overnight, and the same can be said for you. Athletes spend countless hours in training, gradually improving their skills and fitness. Each practice session contributes to their eventual success. The same is true in your life when it comes to your business and personal goals. You might feel as if you are not making any progress, but I am here to tell you to keep on going and not stop.

They say that 50% of businesses will fail within the first five years, and only ⅓ will truly make it from the survivors. With this low success rate we must understand why is this the case for many of these driven entrepreneurs. The main reason is that they failed to see the law of incremental improvements in the actions they were doing. It is easy to do something when people are watching and when you are winning and getting praised, but when it is the opposite, your brain wants to stop and give up.

I am not here to blame your brain, but it is wired to make you feel comfortable and keep you safe. Though sometimes you can be hitting the wall expecting a different result eventually, you must use both logic and critical thinking when trying to make positive advancements. There will be good things and bad things a person can do to improve and vice versa to drift away from their true goal and potential. For that, we must have a clear route when navigating toward what we desire.

1. Set Clear Goals: Define your long-term objectives and break them down into smaller, achievable milestones. This makes your journey more manageable and less intimidating.
2. Consistency Over Intensity: Instead of sporadic bursts of effort, focus on consistency in your actions. Even dedicating a small amount of time each day to your goal can lead to significant progress.
3. Celebrate Small Wins: Don’t underestimate the power of acknowledging your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Celebrating these milestones can boost your motivation and keep you on track.
4. Learn from Setbacks: Understand that setbacks are a natural part of the journey. Instead of being discouraged, view them as opportunities to learn and grow. Use them to make incremental improvements.
5. Stay Patient: Success often takes longer than we expect. Trust the process and keep moving forward, even when results aren’t immediately visible.

These five steps will be the starting point at each pivot and mindset shift when trying to improve your life. We must understand what we are going for and know the steps. Though it can be uncharted territory, you have to understand the relevancy and correlation to what you are trying to do. For example, you should spend only some of your time watching television if you want to be a better author. Writing will make you a better author quicker than watching T.V.

Next, you want to apply the mindset that will help you through steps 2-5. This is where a Mindset Coach becomes invaluable because they will not only be your eyes in the blind spots but also create new ways of thinking that transcend your current level. We must become stronger, smarter, and much more to reach our most ambitious goals. Though your dreams and goals might seem impossible, through the Law of Incremental Improvement, no task is too big,

The Law of Incremental Improvements reminds us that success is a gradual process. It teaches us to appreciate the small, often hidden efforts that lead to significant achievements. By setting clear goals, staying consistent, celebrating small wins, learning from setbacks, and practicing patience, we can harness the power of incremental improvements to reach our aspirations. So, remember that every success story you admire begins with someone taking small, persistent steps to pursue their dreams. Regardless of whether anyone is watching or praising you, keep moving toward your goals and NEVER give up on the inevitable moment of victory.

Until then,

Michael Rearden

Founder of Reven Concepts