The Power of 10% Better, Small Shifts Create Big Career Growth

Most people think career growth comes from giant leaps, landing the big promotion, getting the dream job, or leading a breakthrough project. The truth? Real growth often comes from consistent, small improvements.

That’s the heart of my 10% Better philosophy: instead of chasing perfection, you focus on making things just 10% better. It’s simple, sustainable, and transformative.

Why 10% Better Works

• It feels achievable. You don’t need to overhaul your entire life, just commit to small, meaningful shifts.

• It builds ownership. Instead of blaming circumstances, you take charge and ask, “What part of this can I make 10% better?”

• It compounds over time. Ten percent progress stacked week after week puts you on an entirely different trajectory.

5 Practical Ways to Apply 10% Better to Your Career

1. In Meetings
Don’t just show up, speak up. Prepare one thoughtful question or insight in advance. That’s your 10% shift.

2. In Relationships
Send a quick thank-you note or follow-up after a project. That simple touch strengthens your network by 10%.

3. In Performance
Review your last project and ask: “Where could I have added 10% more clarity, speed, or quality?” Then apply that insight next time.

4. In Mindset
When self-doubt creeps in, pause and ask: “What’s one thing I can control right now?” That small reset is a powerful 10% improvement.

5. In Visibility
Share one weekly win with your boss or team. It doesn’t have to be big, it just builds your reputation as a leader who delivers.

Example

I use 10% Better throughout my day and my week. It's that gut check question that I ask myself before or after a meeting, when building a presentation or when following up. When writing a presentation, I ask myself, how can I make this more concise and more clear? As I am writing an email, I think about the header and how I can bullet point the key topics for readability. If I am out with a friend, I remind myself to ask at least 2 thoughtful questions about their family. The next day I text a thank you and site one thing that I gained from our visit. It is the reminder to be more intentional, thoughtful, and clear. 

The 10% Better Guide (Free Resource)

To help you start, I’ve created a simple framework you can use daily:

1. Spot the Gap – Where are you holding back?

2. Choose One Area – Meetings, relationships, performance, mindset, or visibility.

3. Decide the 10% Shift – A small, clear action that improves the outcome.

4. Take Action Today – Don’t wait, implement it immediately.

5. Reflect & Repeat – Ask at week’s end: “Where did I go 10% better?”

Growth isn’t about perfection or overnight change. It’s about choosing to get just 10% better, day by day, week by week.