The 1% Rule

You’ve probably heard of the 80/20 rule, or the “Pareto Principle”.

80% of effects come from 20% of causes.

This can be applied to all parts of life.

Using this principle, only 20% of people will accomplish their goals.

But I’ve observed that it’s even more lopsided than this. Because:

-Most people don’t follow through with things
-Most are stuck with a fixed mindse
-“Common wisdom” and the path of least resistance are the usual way of doing things for most

I’d say it’s only about 3% that take action.

But let’s use the 20% number for the sake of my example.

For every 100 people that say they want to get healthy, fit, lose weight, etc. 20 of them will actually take the first step to do so.

Out of those 20 people, only 4 will follow through with their plan (exercise, eating, self acceptance, etc.)

And a year later, it’s likely that only 1 out of the 100 will have the results they want.

But you, as a triathlete or future triathlete subscribed to this list, are not likely in the first group, or even the second group!

You have something in you that wants to be part of this elite group- the ones who set out to improve their swim, finish their first triathlon, or set a new PR (or for a select few, land on the podium!)

Think about your goal, and what it will take.

At the first level, you’ve already won. You’ve taken SOME action.

On the second level, you’re likely also already won. You’ve followed through.

Now we’re on the third and fourth levels, where many drop off.

Breakthroughs will come over the course of small improvements. A little at a time.

Nothing in swimming comes overnight.

But over the course of a year? Lots of amazing things can happen. We’ve seen it again and again with our athletes.

But they have taken things one step at a time to get to this 1% and start getting result.

Even though most don’t do it, the formula is simple:

Desire to get healthy–>Enter a triathlon–>Complete triathlon–>Desire to improve–>Improve swim and overall race

With our training in Tri Swim Success, we apply the same rule. We know that 80% of your results will come from 20% of your efforts.

So the focus is on the things you can do to have the biggest impact.

Like breathing.
Like elbow position.
Like avoidance of sinking.

Simple, but not easy.

All you have to do is keep the 80/20 principle in mind and make sure you are always in that 20% realm.

The beautiful thing is, it’s mostly just about showing up!

Take the challenge today, move down the path towards your goals and be a part of the 1%. 🙂

And befriend the water!