This Habits 2 Goals episode is FREE for ALL subscribers.
“It’s the space between the notes that makes the music.” ~Debussy
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Debunking the Myth of ‘1% Better Every Day’
The idea of getting 1% better every day has been popularized by books, influencers, and motivational speakers for more than thirty years.
I recall Tony Robbins preaching the message back in the late '80s. More recently, another bestselling habit book has taken Tony’s mantra to new levels of cliché-dom.
On the surface, “1% Better Every Day” sounds fantastic, and it’s certainly aspirational.
After all, it represents consistent, steady improvement over time—day in, day out. What could be more motivational than that?
It seems like the perfect recipe for day-to-day self-improvement, right?
1% better every day.
Unfortunately, the reality is very different.
Learning any new skill, building any new habit, or improving in any meaningful way is a process filled with starts, stops, gradual and sometimes rapid progress, as well as regression.
All growth requires space—rest and silence.
After all, muscles don’t grow while you’re lifting the weights; they grow when you’re resting.
So, while the message of “1% Better Every Day” is well-meaning, it’s also a myth.
Improvement is never linear.
Ever heard the phrase “two steps forward, one step back”?
Sometimes, it may be three or even ten steps back.
“Don’t break the streak,” “Never miss two days,” “It takes 21 days to build a habit,” and “1% Better Every Day” all fall into the same silly cliché bucket when it comes to personal improvement and habit development.
And all miss the crucial idea that rest, recovery, space, and silence should be part of anyone’s growth and new skill and habit development plan.
Take a hard look at the meme above—does that resemble 1% better every day?
Yet, this (below) is what “they” want you to believe. 👇
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»ENTER P.A.R.R., The Habit Factor’s proven and science-backed habit-building methodology.
Rest and reflection are as vital to habit and skill building as “on” or “target” days. This is precisely why the P.A.R.R. method for habit development is so effective.
👉 App review from June of 2023 says it all…
P.A.R.R.: A Human-Centric Habit System that allows you to plan the “Off” days and the “On” (target) days.
Instead of chasing the illusion of daily perfection, consider applying the P.A.R.R. method:
Plan: Set “target days” for your habits. Focus on achieving minimum success criteria—small, manageable actions that build momentum on your “target days.” Note: The key is target days are NOT every day. They are your “targets,” such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You will “write for 20 minutes.”
Act: Show up and take action, even if it’s not perfect. You can even make up missed “target days.”
Record: Track your progress with a simple system: “1” if you meet your goal, “0” if you don’t. Be sure to add notes when you track to help you identify what is working and what isn’t. Tracking and adding notes reaffirms your desire, which is a crucial element to habit formation.
Reassess: Every 28 days, evaluate your results. Adjust as needed.
The P.A.R.R. habit development method emphasizes consistency over time, allowing you the flexibility to plan for days of non-action.
Why It Works
It’s Human: You’re not a rat in a lab. You have intention, choice, and the ability to reflect. P.A.R.R. respects that.
Consistency Wins: Habit formation isn’t about hitting a home run every day—it’s about showing up and playing the game over the long haul.
Grace and Space: Miss a day? No problem. With P.A.R.R., you can always catch up without guilt.
“Habit creation cares primarily about consistency over time.”
Learn More Here
I’ve been formally teaching the P.A.R.R. method since 2009. On January 17th, I will be providing a deep-dive into this practice with live instruction including new tools and insights to help you accelerate your growth in 2025!
Challenging the 1% myth doesn’t mean abandoning growth. It means embracing the messy, non-linear journey of becoming better. With a system like P.A.R.R., you can build habits that stick—gracefully, sustainably, and on your terms.
»Limited Spots, “The Habit Mastery Workshop” begins 1/17/25!
Enjoy the show!
~mg
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Grab the Helm Captain!
Follow The Habit Factor’s P.A.R.R. Methodology for habit tracking (it’s only proved effective for 15 years. 👇
Try to comprehend the value of 15 years’ worth of behavior change.
Plan: What key habits are aligned with your goal? What are the “Target Days” to perform the behavior? What is the “Minimum Success Criteria”? (Instructional Video Here)
Act: Do the thing. Small steps count.
Record: Track your progress. Ideally, daily but NOT a requirement. (See video above 👆)
Reassess: Reflect and adjust your course, ideally after 28 days of tracking data.
GOOD HABITS HAPPEN WHEN PLANNED;
BAD HABITS HAPPEN ON THEIR OWN.
🙌 That’s right! You can get The Habit Factor® FREE with your audible trial! https://audibletrial.com/habits2goals
New listeners, grab your free habits 2 goals tracking template here: https://thehabitfactor.com/templates
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*Awarded: “Finalist: Self-help, Motivation”* International Book Awards: EVERYTHING is a F*cking STORY.
To learn more about P.A.R.R., just Google “P.A.R.R. and The Habit Factor.”
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