The Lazy-Man’s Method for Big Results

Happy Sunday everyone,

Did you know that if you improve a skill by just 1% every day, you’ll be 37 times better in just a year? Tiny gains add up…

In today’s email:

• Why consistency is the real key to big results (today’s essay + further reading)

• A stupid-simple template to build consistency in anything (no spreadsheets, promise)

POWER SURGE

The Compound Effect: Small Actions, Big Results

Imagine two friends trying to learn Spanish. Friend A crams for 8 hours every Saturday, fueled by coffee and grand ambitions, while friend B practices 20 minutes daily on a language app.

Who do you think becomes conversational faster?

Spoiler: It’s Friend B.

Friend A burns out after a month, overwhelmed and bored.

Friend B? They’re casually ordering tacos in Mexico City six months later. The difference isn’t effort—it’s consistency.

The compound effect isn’t glamorous.

It’s the boring truth that small, repeated actions + time = radical change.

Think of it as financial compounding: If you save £5 daily, you’ll have over 18k (with interest) in 10 years.

Skip the latte once? Nothing happens.

Do it daily? That’s a down payment.

This rule works remarkably consistently:

1. Do 10 push-ups a day, and you’ll be stronger in a year.

2. Read 15 pages nightly, and you’ll finish 18 books.

3. Text your partner one thoughtful message each morning, and watch your connection deepen.

Why We’re Drawn “Fast Fame”

We love intensity in exchange for fast results!

Crash diets, 5 a.m. productivity sprints, “Get fluent in 30 days!” ads.

Why? Because big actions feel heroic. But here’s the problem: Intensity relies on motivation. And motivation? It’s a fickle ally.

Ever crammed for a test, only to forget everything a week later? That’s intensity without consistency.

Real growth happens in the space between efforts. Your muscles repair, your brain consolidates memories, and your habits cement.

How to Win the Slow Game:

1. Start comically small.
   Want to write a book? Write 100 words a day. Too easy? Good. The goal isn’t to impress today—it’s to show up tomorrow.

2. Track the streak.
   Jerry Seinfeld marked an “X” on a calendar for every day he wrote jokes. The chain of X’s became a motivator: “Don’t break the chain.” Use an app, a journal, or a sticky note—just make progress visible.

3. Swap goals for systems.
   Goals stress you out (“I must lose 20 lbs!”). Systems set you free (“I walk after dinner daily”). Focus on the process, and the results sneak up on you.

Consistency isn’t about willpower—it’s about identity. Show up daily, and you become “a runner,” “a writer,” “someone who prioritizes health.” Momentum builds so quietly that you’ll wake up one day shocked at your progress.

Bamboo trees spend years growing roots underground before shooting up 90 feet in weeks. You’re not falling behind—you’re building roots.

What could your life look like in a year if you committed to 1% better—today, tomorrow, and the day after?

Thank you for reading!

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