1% High Performance Developmental Philosophy

The article below is not groundbreaking by any means, but - many of us need to hear it periodically and get back to being grounded in our goals and development.

Whether in sports, academics, relationships, spirituality, finances, or with your profession - the 1% Philosophy will help you improve your practice habits, disciplines, and knowledge - and, eventually, your results.

It’s pretty simple: KEEP MOVING FORWARD - one month at a time!

It may be surprising to some, but coaching & running is about 4th on my list of priorities in life - it is very important to me, however. I have spent $200K+ of our family income to develop our team and this website. Fittingly, growing up in the NY / Philly area, I will break your knee caps if you get between me and my 4th highest priority…

Please don’t get caught up in the running jargon below - it is just words. Please work your way to the bottom of the article. The principle of human performance improvement, in any field - is predictable and thoroughly tested. Just KEEP MOVING FORWARD, while searching for the most intelligent direction to move toward!

1) In running, I want all CTC athletes to improve their 300m time, their 3,000m time, and their Long Run. If an athlete can keep improving all of those markers, then their training plan is often working - from the 9th grader, to the State Champion / State record holder 800m runner, to the Pro athlete racing in Europe and bringing home a paycheck. We keep tweaking and adding experimental workouts in order to keep those small improvement markers coming.

  • These INCREASES are demonstrated with numerous, small (1%) improvements. It is continuous endeavor to find the small advantages and angles to get ahead in our sport.

2) In academics, it takes about 40 undergraduate classes to finish your Bachelor’s Degree. Another 17 classes may get your Master’s Degree. Finally, about 36 more months of work will get you close to your PhD. That is nearly 100 classes / time increments to get you to the top of your field.

  • A 1% improvement is just ONE class. If you place significant energy into that ONE class (even if you have to retake it), you may then be able to handle TWO classes. Keep pursuing these 1% improvements and you will eventually make it. Just like a running race, the last 20 classes will be EASY / TOLERABLE because you know the end of the pain and the end of the race is in sight. It is simply getting to the start and through the first 1/2 of the race that present the most mental challenges. You may struggle during the 50%-80% phase, but you have already invested the work that will not allow you to quit.

  • If you don’t cross the line until age 45, trust me:) - it is still very worth it to finish.

  • I encourage you to inspire others in this pursuit. I was inspired by my long-time friend, Ken Burcham. He “invited” me to “commute” with him to grad school:) I had no intention or confidence that I had the resources or time for grad school, especially a 3-year, 90 credit program. It eventually put me in the hospital:) for a few days - but, I made it through in about 3.5 years.

3) Career: In jobs that require a trade expertise, such as an Electrician or in the military, it takes about 100 months of dedicated work to get to the point where the skill becomes highly profitable for you. That is about 8 years. With 8 years of diverse experience, coupled with several references that attest to how dedicated and trustworthy you are, you will win - period.

  • If you celebrate at the end of each month, then prepare yourself to endure and get smarter during the next month - you will be attacking 1% at a time. It will eventually pay off. It is all about the small steps that make up the whole project.

  • I have a feeling that many other jobs require about 8 years (100 months) of significant dedication to become very proficient in your skills / expertise. These abilities, will then make you a good candidate for leadership or additional responsibilities that will make you even better. The key is to fully commit to these 100 months - 1 at a time - and appreciate the opportunity you have.

  • Worth noting, most good runners really get into running by age 16. Did you know - the average age for males and females in the 10,000 at the Olympics is 24.0 and 24.1 respectively. Yup - 8 years, or 100 months, of significant dedication to the craft. Stop overthinking it - what can you do to make this month better than last month?

4) In relationships, we can demonstrate that we care for someone by committing to “enduring (don’t quit on someone)” - as well as spontaneous - acts of love or affection. Call your dad today - it does not need to be profound… just make the call. Go on a nice walk with your spouse - tie her shoes before you go:) Forgive someone for whatever they have done to cause bitterness or anger. Post a nice post / something encouraging on someone’s SM page. Take a co-worker out for a burger and a beer and listen to what they have to say. There are all sorts of 1% efforts that you can do to improve the relationships around you.

  • Walk into your boss’s office - look ‘em straight in the eye, and thank him / her that you have a job with the company. Tell them that it means a lot to you that you are able to care for your family because of this job. Ask for whatever thankless responsibilities they have that may make you better in the long run. Ask if they have any books you should read or people you can talk to to help you get better at your work.

5) Business has been like baseball for me. I have struck out on ideas several times. I have thrown my bat. I have thrown my helmet and dropped some pointed F’bombs. I have walked off the field and slammed the gate behind me. My BEST attribute, however, is that I always show up the next day - before anyone else. I have proven repeatedly that I am not the smartest - but I keep coming back. The more difficult and dire the situation - the more excited I get. It is another opportunity to dig deep, take the bumps and bruises, fractures, and have a shot to come out on top. I constantly look for the 1% opportunities - and amazingly, they show up when you are near the end of your rope. As Steve Harvey says, “jump.” I didn’t jump because Steve Harvey said to, I jumped because it needed to happen.

6) Spiritually, what makes you who you are? Try to spend some time thinking of the difficult and overwhelming questions - “Who am I"?”, and, “Why the hell am I here?” Whether you are an evangelical atheist, an evangelical Christian, agnostic, or whatever - allow time to dwell on these questions and to appreciate the world and people around you. For me, this reflection has brought about an attitude of thanksgiving, appreciation, and a sense of urgency.

  • I value the time I have on Earth and I value others around me. This has ignited a desire to excel in business so I can help others who are CTC athletes in tough situations - folks who maybe didn’t get a fair shake at life because of where they were born, or who their parents were.

7) Financially, what are the 1% changes you can make to find long term improvement. Finance and wealth are governed by many laws associated with Economics. We sacrifice a little here, a little now - so we increase the likelihood (no guarantees) of excelling later.

8) Life, I spent literally YEARS away from my wife and young kids so I could move my military career forward - and help my country complete its missions worldwide. These were choices (1 month / 1% at a time) that appear to be paying dividends now. There were some very tough times, however. There were nights were I cracked, but didn’t quite break! It is not easy, my friends. Get comfortable in the crazy, and the dirty, and the suck - and you become dangerous.

I encourage you to Jump after your next 1% improvement.