1% Better Every Day: The Strength in Learning and Growing

Life doesn’t get easier. That’s not pessimism—it’s the truth. But here’s the twist: we get stronger. Every challenge we face is an invitation to grow, to adapt, and to evolve. The trick is learning how to show up, even when it’s hard, and trusting the process of becoming 1% better every single day.

It’s easy to wish for life to smooth out, for struggles to fade away, and for things to magically align. But the reality is, the challenges don’t stop coming. Bills still show up. Deadlines don’t disappear. Life can throw you curveballs on a random Wednesday morning just when you think you’ve got it all figured out.

The good news? We have the power to choose how we respond.

The 1% Rule

Getting 1% better every day doesn’t sound like much, but think about it: what if you committed to one small improvement today? Maybe it’s drinking more water, making that call you’ve been avoiding, or showing up for that workout you didn’t feel like doing. These aren’t huge, dramatic shifts. They’re subtle tweaks in the direction of your goals.

Over time, those small changes compound. That’s the magic. You don’t need to overhaul your entire life in one day. You just need to take the next step—however small—toward who you want to become.

Strength Through Learning

If you’re not learning, you’re not growing. I’ve realized that every “failure” and every difficult moment in my life had something to teach me. The lesson wasn’t always obvious in the moment, but in hindsight, those moments were where I built resilience.

Every time I’ve chosen to ask, “What can I learn from this?” instead of “Why is this happening to me?” I’ve gotten stronger.

Sometimes, learning means unlearning old habits and thought patterns that don’t serve us anymore. It’s uncomfortable work, but it’s necessary.

Habits That Build Strength

Strength doesn’t just happen—it’s a habit. It’s built through consistency, even when it’s inconvenient. Here are a few habits I’ve been leaning into:

1. Showing up for myself: Whether it’s a workout, journaling, or dedicating time to my goals, I’ve learned the value of prioritizing me.

2. Letting go of perfection: Progress beats perfection every time. Some days, 1% better might just mean making it through. That’s okay.

3. Practicing gratitude: It’s impossible to grow if we’re constantly focusing on what we lack. I’ve made it a point to celebrate small wins and appreciate the journey.

Life Won’t Get Easier

And I don’t want it to. An easy life doesn’t teach us anything. An easy life doesn’t push us to grow, stretch, or reach new heights. The real beauty of life lies in the tension between challenge and possibility.

We’re not meant to stay the same. If you embrace the idea that you can learn, grow, and adapt, then you’ll start to see every obstacle as an opportunity to become stronger, wiser, and more grounded.

Remember, you don’t need to have it all figured out. Just focus on being 1% better than yesterday. That’s how mountains are climbed—one step at a time.

Here’s to the strength we build along the way.

— Sherri Lee Sunshine 🌞