Have you noticed that today, New Year’s Day 2025, marks the halfway point of the 2020s?
So what you ask? Fair question.
We tend to see halfway points as representing a significant choice, a catalysts for change, the point of no return.
Is today such a point?
What should we be considering as we step into the latter half of the decade?
Continuous Improvement is a Game of compounding 1%.
Small improvements, made consistently, compound into massive progress over time. This “game of 1%” is simple to understand but challenging to execute. It requires discipline, alignment, and a commitment to consistent action. The key lies in identifying obstacles and either eliminating or outsourcing them to free up your time and energy, both finite resources.
Often, these obstacles are subtle sources of friction you may not notice until you actively search for them.
The early stages of 1% improvements are straightforward. You can achieve them by working a bit harder, smarter, or longer, and removing obvious friction in the processes you run. However, as you progress, the gains become harder to realise, demanding cultural and operational change to unlock the next level. Continuous improvement is not just about short-term wins; it’s about laying the groundwork for sustained success.
Start with the Hard Stuff
Traditional New Year’s resolutions often fizzle out because they lack structure and focus. A mentor once taught me the power of tackling the hardest tasks first thing in the morning. This approach, though difficult, transformed my productivity and continues to serve me well.
In my corporate life, I prioritized difficult decisions, conversations, and analytical tasks early in the day. Now, working for myself without the external pressures of a corporate environment, this habit is even more critical. When you are accountable only to yourself, it is easy to fall into procrastination. Starting with the hard stuff sets the tone for a productive day and a successful year.
Be Contrarian
We are told to set goals, pursue our mission, and stay the course. However, in a world evolving at the speed of an F1 race, flexibility and adaptability within a solid strategic framework are essential survival skills. The challenge is to marry these two conflicting forces, and zig into less contested spaces, when everyone else is zagging.
It requires that you see the commercial and strategic environment through perspectives that usually make others uncomfortable.
Flexibility and adaptability, while often used as synonyms, are very different. Flexibility implies you bend with the wind, then revert back to the previous shape when the wind stops. By contrast, adaptability is the ability to adjust tactically as circumstances change, while maintaining the strategic direction.
Once a strategic direction and priorities are agreed, I encourage my clients to plan in cycles of five quarters in preference to an annual budget. That offers a horizon that is close enough to allow real-time adaptability but far enough to maintain and strengthen strategic direction.
AI is the Game-Changer
Artificial intelligence is no longer the future; it is the present. The release of ChatGPT-3 in late 2022 sparked a wave of innovation in the tools enabling enterprise planning and operations.
Businesses can no longer afford to ignore AI. Those who embrace it will widen the gap between themselves and those who hesitate. AI is not just about efficiency; it’s about transformation. If you have been hesitant to dive in, now is the time. The water is warm and deep, and the potential rewards are immense.
The Ultimate Differentiator is curiosity.
In a world where change is the only constant, curiosity has become a superpower. Those who remain curious will continue to learn, adapt, and evolve. Those who do not will fall behind at a negative compounding rate.
Curiosity drives exploration, creativity, and innovation. It’s what keeps us engaged with the new frontiers of thought and action.
Make 2025 the year you lean into your curiosity, seeking out opportunities to learn and grow.
