“If you get one percent better each day for one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done.” — James Clear – Writer, speaker and researcher – Atomic Habits
This quote encapsulates the power of compounding small improvements—a central theme in modern performance psychology and organisational behaviour. The phrase illustrates how seemingly minor, daily advances in habit or process can result in transformation far beyond what most imagine. Mathematically, a 1% daily improvement, when compounded over 365 days, leads to results nearly 38 times better than the starting point.
James Clear uses this insight to shift focus away from sudden, dramatic changes and towards the sustainable, incremental shifts that yield exponential growth over time. This idea forms the core philosophy of his best-selling book, Atomic Habits, which demonstrates that meaningful progress is achieved not through isolated breakthroughs, but through the relentless accumulation of tiny gains—a process available to anyone, every day.
About James Clear
James Clear is a leading writer, speaker, and researcher on the science of habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement.
Born in Hamilton, Ohio, Clear crafted his own major in biomechanics at Denison University and was a standout student-athlete, experiences that grounded his fascination with performance optimization. After graduating in 2008, Clear turned his attention to writing, launching jamesclear.com to share research-driven insights on behaviour, productivity, and change.
His 2018 book, Atomic Habits, rapidly became an international phenomenon:
- Over 25 million copies sold worldwide.
- Translated into more than 60 languages.
- Over 5 years on the New York Times bestseller list.
Clear’s work is grounded in synthesis—he draws on biology, neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and personal experience to offer practical strategies for lasting improvement. Through speaking engagements, workshops, and his widely followed “3-2-1” newsletter, Clear has equipped millions with techniques to make small, actionable shifts that enable compounding, lifelong change.
Leading Theorists Related to Small Improvements and Compounding
The science and strategy of continuous improvement is deeply rooted in both psychology and operational theory. Several key thinkers underpin the philosophy embodied by Clear’s quote:
- Kaizen and Masaaki Imai: The Japanese philosophy of Kaizen means “good change” or continuous improvement. Championed globally by Masaaki Imai, Kaizen teaches that regular, incremental enhancements at every organizational level produce lasting success. This bottom-up culture laid the groundwork for compounding improvements in manufacturing, services, and personal development.
- Sir Dave Brailsford (Marginal Gains Theory): Brailsford applied the aggregation of tiny improvements—“the 1 percent rule”—to lead British cycling to unprecedented Olympic victories. His marginal gains approach directly echoes Clear’s message, showing the extraordinary results of small, sustained enhancements.
- BJ Fogg & Charles Duhigg: Behavioural scientists and authors like Fogg (Tiny Habits) and Duhigg (The Power of Habit) have shown, through research and field studies, how minor behaviour tweaks drive long-term transformation, reinforcing the mechanism behind compounding habits.
- W. Edwards Deming: In management theory, Deming’s emphasis on statistical process control and ongoing refinement underpins the culture of quality improvement—where continual small adjustments lead to big gains in efficiency and outcomes.
- James Clear integrates these ideas, crystallizing decades of research and practice into accessible frameworks for individuals and organizations to thrive through steady, cumulative progress.
James Clear’s message thus stands not only on popular intuition but on an interlocking foundation of behavioural science, Eastern and Western management theory, and real-world sports and business excellence. His quote distils the timeless truth: small choices, if compounded, drive extraordinary change.
