In the world of business, we often dream big. We set lofty goals and envision massive success, from building multimillion-dollar businesses to achieving massive social media followings. But the truth is, big goals alone are not enough to create real success. To truly make progress, it's the small, consistent actions that pave the way to lasting change.
In a recent episode of Cliff's Notes, Brandon Clifford, CEO of Business Alliance, Inc., broke down the power of small wins and how they can transform not just your business, but your life. The episode, titled "The Power of Small Wins," offered valuable insights on how focusing on the incremental, day-to-day improvements can lead to extraordinary results over time.
Big Goals Alone Aren't Enough
As entrepreneurs and business owners, we all know the thrill of setting big goals. Whether it’s launching a new business, expanding into new markets, or hitting a revenue target, these ambitions are crucial for long-term direction and growth. However, as Brandon points out, setting big goals is just the starting point. What truly drives success is the system you create to achieve those goals.
Brandon shared a memorable quote from James Clear, author of Atomic Habits: “You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” It’s a simple yet powerful concept: without solid systems and consistent actions, even the most ambitious goals will remain just that—ambitions.
This idea is particularly evident when we look at how easily big goals can lead to frustration. For instance, let’s say you want to lose 30 pounds in a year. You start strong, join the gym, buy new workout gear, and commit to a rigorous routine. But after a few weeks, life gets in the way, motivation wanes, and your goal is left unmet.
This happens to all of us. It’s not because you lacked the desire or commitment; it’s because you didn’t build a sustainable system for achieving that goal. The key to success lies not in big, sporadic bursts of effort, but in small, daily actions that build over time.
The 1% Better Approach
One of the most valuable lessons Brandon shared in this episode was the concept of getting "1% better every day." This idea, made famous by James Clear, emphasizes the power of incremental improvements. By focusing on small, daily improvements—whether in sales, leadership, or any other aspect of your business—you will see exponential growth over time.
Let’s break this down. If you improve by just 1% every day, by the end of the year, you will be 37 times better than when you started. This compound effect is a game-changer. Whether it’s improving your sales skills, refining your marketing strategy, or boosting your leadership abilities, those 1% improvements accumulate into massive success.
In the business world, this principle is evident in the most successful companies. Take Amazon, for example. When Jeff Bezos founded the company, it wasn’t an instant retail giant. Amazon started as a humble online bookstore. Bezos and his team focused on small, strategic improvements: optimizing the supply chain, refining the recommendation algorithm, and speeding up delivery times. Over time, those small wins compounded, transforming Amazon into the retail powerhouse it is today.
Real-World Examples of Small Wins Leading to Big Success
Brandon also shared some incredible real-world examples of how small, consistent improvements have led to massive success:
- British Cycling: For over a century, British cycling teams struggled to compete internationally. But when Sir Dave Brailsford became the coach in 2003, he implemented the “Marginal Gains” strategy, which focused on improving tiny areas like aerodynamics, bike weight, and even sleep patterns. Initially, these changes seemed insignificant, but over time, they led to a historic run of success, including 66 Olympic medals and five Tour de France victories in just six years.
- McDonald’s: McDonald's revolutionized the fast food industry not by aiming to become the largest chain overnight, but by focusing on small, continuous improvements. They streamlined kitchen operations, refined the drive-through process, and focused on consistency. These minor operational tweaks helped McDonald’s become the largest and most recognizable fast-food brand in the world.
- Apple: Apple didn’t invent the smartphone, but they continuously improved upon the existing technology. Through small design changes and an unwavering focus on user experience, Apple turned incremental tweaks into the best-selling devices on the planet, eventually becoming the most valuable company in the world.
The Importance of Small, Strategic Moves in Business
In any business, focusing on small wins can lead to exponential growth. The key is to identify areas where small improvements can be made and commit to them consistently. For example:
- Sales: If you can improve your sales skills by just 1% each day, you’ll close more deals and build stronger customer relationships.
- Marketing: Small tweaks in your marketing strategy—whether it’s optimizing your messaging, improving your content, or enhancing your targeting—can lead to a more powerful brand and increased customer engagement.
- Leadership: If you invest just 1% of your day in improving your leadership skills, you’ll inspire your team, foster a more positive work environment, and drive better results.
These small wins aren’t just about incremental growth—they are about building momentum. Momentum, Brandon argues, will always outpace motivation. When you’re consistently stacking small wins, you create a snowball effect that propels you toward your larger goals.
The Takeaway: Focus on Small Wins
The biggest takeaway from this episode is clear: Big success doesn’t come from big leaps; it comes from small, consistent wins. The most successful businesses and individuals understand that it's the daily habits, the tiny improvements, and the continuous refinement of systems that lead to significant achievements over time.
As Brandon urges, ask yourself: “What’s one small thing I can do today to improve my business?” Whether it’s refining a process, learning a new skill, or improving your customer service, those small actions, when repeated daily, will lead to remarkable growth.
Success isn't built overnight—it’s built daily. Start small, stay consistent, and you’ll be amazed at the progress you can make.
Listen to Cliff's Notes on Apple and Spotify:
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/21l0JHY6nR4TMQqm1wRqGB?si=478fcec77dac426d
Apple:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cliffs-notes/id1800010301
