Keys to Happiness 1% Better Every Day

When looking at improving the quality of your life do not underestimate the value or importance of small wins and incremental change. A good example of this is in air navigation. As a rule of thumb for every 1 degree a plane veers off its course, it misses its target destination by 1 mile for every 60 miles you fly. Although you would rarely get on a plane to travel 60 miles, that small and incremental change in the tip of the nose cone of a plane ends up a mile of course with nowhere to land. I'm willing to bet you wouldn't even be able to see the 1-degree change from the outside of the plane.

Now apply this to your life. You are the plane. What 1-degree changes can you make to your life right now that you would hardly notice straight away? A tiny, 1-degree task that's achievable, repeatable, and doesn't obstruct your daily routine. This could be a small investment into a company that you believe in, drinking a glass of water upon waking, committing to at least 10 minutes of exercise every day, resetting your workspace after use, or writing down a positive affirmation every morning. You need to be specific with the details of the task but it need not be difficult. You may not notice the change straight away but after a year you are miles closer to where you want to be.

LESS IS MORE

Another example that I think works beautifully but is almost the complete opposite of the examples given above is the minimalism approach. Although not applicable to all, many of us spend our lives accumulating things over the years. Imagine removing 1 item you possess to be destroyed, donated, or sold every day. That's 365 less unworn clothes, junk, toys, furnishings, or utensils that could free your house and mind of clutter whilst simultaneously returning some investment or going to a good cause.

These incremental changes over time amount to big differences. In the moment they are unnoticeable but if adhered to can make a huge impact.

To action these changes and to capitalise on an in-built mechanism that the human species seems to value very highly and thats achieving goals. If you were to track these incremental changes, these small tasks daily, weekly, monthly and yearly you not only kept accountable but consistently reminded of your effort and your milestones.