5% More Summary

Book: 5% More: Making Small Changes to Achieve Extraordinary Results
Author: Michael Alden

"You can increase your productivity in virtually every aspect of your life by just 5%, and it will have long-term and life-changing benefits.”

Everyone wishes for a better life; but, many fail in achieving this due to either unrealistic expectations or lack of action. The success comes by doing (acting) and not just day-dreaming about it. 

The book suggests putting 5% more efforts in the direction of the goal one wishes to achieve. This may not bring-in 5% more results but will definitely take a step closer to the set target. To achieve 5% more, one must hold him/herself accountable. Start by writing down daily and weekly goals and be honest and realistic about it. (This can also be done for a team i.e. setting team goals and communicating them with the team). Incremental adjustments can be made eventually to the goals (targets).

Author's colleague Brian encouraged him to put a little more efforts in every deal while working as salesperson of cars. This eventually led the author to perform his best ever of selling 22 cars in that month. This is the example of how putting even small amount of extra efforts incrementally can help in achieving great results eventually. The best way to approach any big task is to take one small step at a time towards it.

A small difference of % often changes the course the student's life. The higher score can lead to better college, chances of winning scholarship and may even land in better job. Thus, even the point difference in % can change the future prospects for the student. 

In 'How Children Succeed', Paul Tough discusses what makes children succeed beyond academics. He reports that 'small gains and small advances' help children make progress. One can improve their child’s life by putting 5% more time into parenting.

To become stronger and fitter, one just has to put a little extra effort in his/her daily fitness routine. 5% can create a difference of good and great results even for the sportsmen. Usain Bolt is the world record holder in the 100-meter dash. His time in 2009 was 9.58, when compared with his worst time of 10.03 in 2007, the difference is just under 5%.

To reduce stress, one can use stress relief tactics like massage or meditation. The scientific studies show  that daily meditation of 20 minutes reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, stress, addiction, and much more.

Most of us are opined that money or worldly possessions would make us happier, but, we forget to put the pause/stop buttons to our ever-wanting self. Then, the unhappiness creeps in. To cope with this unhappiness some people take help of drugs or alcohol. But, scientifically speaking our brain doesn't care where the pleasure comes from. Thus, we can gain sense of pleasure even in small things like completing the project, pursuing a hobby, spending time with nature/people we care for. Author calls these as '5% moments', we should be able to appreciate these small daily joys to be happier.   

Give 5% more to your children by encouraging them to stay curious and excited and by reading to them. Reading aloud to kids helps them develop strong neural pathways quickly. Educators often suggest to have children read 20 minutes daily. This duration is hardly 1.5% of the total minutes in a day but helps them in reading comprehension, testing, social skills, communication skills and, ultimately, in life skills. To boost your happiness, try sometimes to look at the world through a child’s eyes.

The 5% strategy applies to making more money as well, which means changing your mind-set. Think like wealthy people and make your money work for you instead of working for your money. 

The 5% approach can also help you break bad habits and can also be used to get rid of addiction by fighting the bad habit gradually (reducing by 5% each day).

“A dream without a plan is just a dream.”