The Power of 1%

Hello friend – it’s Miriam 👋🏻

Welcome to this week’s Ikigami Insider – your 7-minute guide to clarity, consistency, and meaningful achievements. Today, we’re exploring the 1% Philosophy: why starting small is the bravest and most strategic step, and how consistency can lead to extraordinary transformation. Let’s also look at the importance of reflecting on 2024 and envisioning your best self in 2025.

I – Intuition: The Courage to Start Small

Big dreams often feel overwhelming, but the magic lies in the first, smallest step. Starting small reduces pressure and creates momentum. Even a 1% improvement each day compounds into significant change over time. Trust your intuition and take that step.

Reflection Question:
When was the last time you took a small step that led to something bigger? What’s the next tiny action you can take toward your goal?

K – Knowledge: The Science of Small Steps

The 1% Philosophy is backed by behavioral science. Research confirms that consistent small improvements are more sustainable than sudden, dramatic efforts. James Clear explains in Atomic Habits that habits build on each other, creating exponential growth.

Tip:
Create a habit of reflection and progress tracking. The Ikigami Essentials Workbook is your guide for structured exercises to start documenting wins, overcome challenges, and set clear goals for your future self. Pair it with a journal that resonates with you. Personally, I’am starting the 1% Diary by Steven Bartlett which promises to be incredibly effective for maintaining focus and consistency—it’s a genuine recommendation based on my own discovery, with no financial incentive involved.

I – Imagination: Visualizing 2025

Visualization bridges the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Picture your ideal 2025: the routines, relationships, and achievements that align with your values. Visualization not only inspires action but trains your brain to believe in the possibility of success.

Exercise:
Create your personal “Vision-Movie.” Picture your future self thriving in 2025. What actions brought you there? What habits have you mastered? Use your imagination as a tool for transformation.

G – Growth: Reflecting on 2024, Planning for 2025

Looking back on the past year gives us perspective and gratitude, while planning ahead builds clarity and excitement. A structured review of 2024 will help you celebrate wins, extract lessons, and set purposeful goals for the year ahead.

Action Step:
Take time this week to reflect on three questions:

1. What am I most proud of in 2024?

2. What challenged me, and how did I grow?

3. What one word will define my intention for 2025?

Connecting the 1% Philosophy to Ikigai

The 1% Philosophy embodies the essence of Ikigai: finding joy and purpose in small, consistent actions that align with your values. Ikigai isn’t about sudden leaps or grand gestures; it’s about steady progress that brings you closer to your true self.

With Ikigami, this philosophy becomes actionable. Through tools like the Ikigami Essentials Workbook and Vision-Movies, you’re guided to integrate these small, purposeful steps into your daily life. Each 1% improvement brings you deeper into alignment with your Ikigai – your reason for being.

In short: 1% isn’t just a number; it’s a mindset. It’s about living each day with purpose, growth, and clarity.

Reflection in Verse

The Quiet Change
One step forward, a ripple unseen,
A tiny shift in the spaces between.
No thunder, no roar, no sudden flight,
Yet inch by inch, we find the light.

Patience and trust, the 1% way,
Transforming the night to a brighter day.

Photo Thumbnail Anastasiia Balandina on Unsplash

Further Readings

• Atomic Habits by James Clear – A practical guide to building habits that last.

• The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson – How small choices create life-changing results.

• The Power of Less by Leo Babauta – Strategies for focusing on what truly matters.

Closing Thoughts:

The 1% Philosophy reminds us that transformation begins with the tiniest, consistent actions. By reflecting on the lessons of 2024 and envisioning the possibilities of 2025, you create a solid foundation for meaningful growth and alignment with your purpose.

As the New Year draws near, let’s celebrate the power of small, intentional steps and purposeful reflection to launch into 2025 with clarity, confidence, and renewed energy.

Warm wishes,
Miriam