What is incrementalism?
How this can lead to change.
Matthew Dicks in a recent podcast mentioned how life changing incrementalism is and can be. Ultimately, over time, the thing you do today will mean something. Today you may feel as if the work is pointless or you may even feel like quitting. But don’t.
Incrementalism is the act of doing something everyday and at some point in time, all our work and effort will result in something. It may be in the exact area or thing you’re working on. In some cases, you might find yourself doing a task completely different from when you started. However, you would have never discovered it if you hadn’t started something. Matthew credits his world-class storytelling and being an author of 8 published books to writing everyday since he was 17 years old. James Clear in his best-selling book Atomic Habits has a similar message. Even if what you do today is very small, simple and easy, that can lead to something if you simply continue doing it.
We cannot expect the big hit or the lump sum result. Even though that is the only thing we pursue and we especially cannot expect it if we don’t do the work.
John Grisham author of The Firm and many others kept writing. Even after his first book A Time To Kill had a hard time publishing and did not sell. By continuing to write, despite his failed first attempt his second book (The Firm) did really well. Now, everything John writes people jump for.
James Baldacci is another example of someone who continues to write and eventually becomes an international best-selling author. When no one liked his writing, no one wanted to publish, he was hit with that moment we have all faced. Should I quit? He did not accept this to be the end as James desired to be a writer. He kept writing, ignoring his inner voice telling him to quit. The more James wrote, the better he did and with that, people found his writing and loved it. Today, James can publish on the history of a paper clip and it will sell.
You may not want to be a writer. However, the takeaway here is, you too can do anything if you simple start, don’t stop and do it every day. With money, you can pay off your $80,000 student loans if you make regular payments over a period of time. Investing is not waking up this morning expecting to be a millionaire. Incrementally, you get there by consistently investing money over a period of time.
You can lose weight, just start small. Instead of doing a high-intensity work out (HIT), simply go for a 10-15 minute walk. Incrementally, your decisions will compound over time to something bigger.
Learning a foreign language is made possible by you practicing every day. Playing an instrument, baking, cooking, and learning how to record a podcast. Instead of saying I am not good at math, practice it more. Today it will not feel like you’re getting better. Yet, if you practiced for an hour per day for the next 30 days, you will be.
Being a more present parent or spouse can start by simply putting your phone down. Have eye contact with the people you love and incrementally, you will notice big changes.
All things can be learned if you simply do it everyday. That daily work adds up to something. Today you might suck at it and that is okay. The more you work out the desired muscle, the better you will be at the task at hand.
Thought Provoking Question 1 : What are you going to work on incrementally, so that you become good at it?
Dan Roman is a Husband, Father, and writer that releases a daily blog. A quick read on sharing wisdom and asking though-provoking questions.
What are your thoughts on this piece? Comment below…
A couple of things came to mind reading this…..
The first one was I do believe the people who are successful are the people who never give up. Even after hearing no and having to fight with yourself about not quitting. It is those people who eventually can make it through.
My second thought was one of my favorite authors Is Stephen King. His mind has a wild imagination, and he has a way of making you feel every emotion each character is meant to feel. Him and his wife many moons ago had very little money and lived in a trailer (yes, I stalked his life). He had begun to write the story of “Carrie,” but after the first few pages he tossed it away because he was struggling to write from the perspective of a female. His wife pulled out the pages and told him to finish it. She herself was not into science fiction/horror but she saw something in the story. King kept writing and learned how to write from the perspective he struggled with, and that story is what changed his career.
For me, it believes in yourself and make sure you surround yourself in your intimate circle/home that also believe in you 😊
My third thought was there was something in my life that was a small simple idea that turned into something more. I produced baking. In 2020 like everyone else my life was at home. Hot Cocoa Bombs were starting to be this new and fun trend. I went on Amazon, bought the mold, and said I want to try and make them. I made some for my house but added in my own creative designs. Took one picture and shared it and the share kept going around. My husband and sister said why are you not selling these. I said no, no Its just for fun. Well after a night of drinking wine and letting them convince me I said sure let us post it not thinking anyone would really buy them. By that December I had so many orders I could not keep up. I took a person’s time from work just to make these Cocoa bombs. Eventually the trend slowed down, but people started asking for more and more different kinds of treats and cakes. If it were not for that one purchase combined with already being creative, I would not have that side business today.
What are you going to work on incrementally, so that you become good at it? I am not sure if what I want can be achieved but for me it is time, or I should say time management. There are so many things I want to do and can never fit it all within the hours I have in one day or even one week but that is what I would like to work on. Time with my children, baking, cleaning, spouse, reading, writing. down time for a movie, checking in on friends and family to say hello. The smallest things but any one of them take time.
PS…. I still do not like math 😊