Productivity 101: Think Big, Work Small

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YoungBlackProfessional Network & Jarry Ngandjui
January 06, 2025

Imagine you got twice as good at your job everyday. By day 2 you are 4 times better. By day 8, 256 TIMES BETTER. Carry on this rate of exponential growth to make Forbes, be a CEO, or rule the world. Be a nice ruler!

In the previous newsletter, Why You Can’t Stay Focused showed that the compounding triumphs of Benjamin Franklin's life of inventions, scientific discoveries, civic and diplomatic achievements were all possible with a work-life-balanced schedule. 

Think Big, Work Small – emphasizes that to reach big outcomes, one only needs consistent progress, that is ANY measurable progress at all, during the limited work hours scheduled. 

Baby steps  

Imagine starting a new job, and in your first one-on-one, the manager presents two possible expectations:

  1. "I want you to be 256 times better by the end of your second week."

  2. "I want you to improve by 2x in any area of your job each day."

The first statement, aiming for a 256 improvement by the second week, sounds grand but leaves much to interpretation. It's a lofty, distant goal that can lead to confusion or procrastination. The endpoint is so overwhelming that it’s hard to know where to start, or if you’re even making progress.

On the other hand, the second statement encourages daily, measurable growth. Focusing on doubling your efficiency in small and reproducible ways each day helps build momentum. It creates a clear, actionable path that fosters continuous improvement, turning what might seem impossible at first into a series of manageable steps.

By creating daily goals of being 2x better each day, you stay engaged with the present and can celebrate incremental successes, making the journey toward significant improvement feel tangible and motivating.

A history of exponential growth

The Wrights Brothers in 1903

Think big when planning, but work small.

We often overestimate short-term achievements and underestimate long-term impact due to psychological biases like the planning fallacy, impact bias, and a preference for instant gratification. Understanding these factors can help (see references), but real-world examples are even more insightful.

Take flight technology: from the Wright brothers' 12-second flight in 1903 to the global travel revolution of commercial jetliners in the 1960s, and now hypersonic flights and autonomous vehicles. What seemed like science fiction in 1903 is today’s reality, illustrating the power of incremental progress.

The stock market showcases similar exponential growth through compounding. A dollar invested in the S&P 500 in the early 1900s, with dividends reinvested, grows into thousands over a century. While short-term market movements can be volatile, the long-term gains from consistent investment highlight the immense power of compounding.

Physics Professor Albert Bartlett remarked, "the greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand exponential growth." Despite its clear long-term benefits, we often focus on immediate gains or losses, overlooking the steady progress needed for significant achievements. By focusing on daily, incremental improvements, we can harness the power of exponential growth to achieve ambitious long-term goals.

Better than yesterday

You can achieve success by consistently answering the daily question...

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How can I be better than yesterday?

  • Reflecting on past work helps identify areas of improvement.

  • Cooking meals reduces mental stress and ensures you have enough energy for the week ahead.

  • Even light physical activity like stretching or walking can boost energy levels.

  • Cleaning spaces, or sorting through paperwork can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

That answer may not be glamorous but it is getting better that counts!

Sources

Definition of planning fallacy
https://dictionary.apa.org/planning-fallacy

Definition of instant gratification
https://dictionary.apa.org/instant-gratification

The Greatest Shortcoming of the Human Race is our Inability to Understand the Exponential Function
https://hobbieroth.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-greatest-shortcoming-of-human-race.html