One Percent Better

Understanding the Principle of Marginal Gains

Elder Dunn uses the example of the British national bicycle racing team's strategy of "the aggregation of marginal gains" to illustrate the principle of making small, consistent improvements in our lives. This involves targeting specific weaknesses and making small but steady improvements over time.

In 2003, Sir Dave Brailsford was hired. Unlike previous coaches who attempted dramatic, overnight turnarounds, Sir Brailsford instead committed to a strategy he referred to as "the aggregation of marginal gains." This entailed implementing small improvements in everything. That meant constantly measuring key statistics and targeting specific weaknesses.

Said Brailsford, "The whole principle came from the idea that if you broke down everything you could think of that goes into riding a bike, and then improved it by 1 percent, you will get a significant increase when you put them all together."

• What is the principle of "the aggregation of marginal gains"?
• How was this principle applied by the British national bicycle racing team?
• How can this principle be applied in our personal lives?
• Can you identify areas in your life where you could apply the principle of marginal gains?
• What small, consistent improvements could you make in these areas?
• How might these small improvements lead to significant change over time?

Applying the Principle of Marginal Gains to Spiritual Growth

Elder Dunn discusses how the principle of marginal gains can be applied to our spiritual growth and repentance. Instead of trying to perfect everything at once, we can focus on making small, consistent improvements in our lives, leading to significant spiritual growth over time.

But what if we applied that same principle to the very sweet and savory second principle of the gospel, repentance? Rather than being stymied by the churn and dramatic swings between sin and repentance, what if our approach was to narrow our focus—even as we broadened it? Instead of trying to perfect everything, what if we tackled just one thing?

Could aggregating small but steady marginal gains in our lives finally be the way to victory over even the most pesky of our personal shortcomings? Can this bite-sized approach to tackling our blemishes really work?

Well, acclaimed author James Clear says this strategy puts the math squarely in our favor. He maintains that "habits are the "compound interest of self-improvement." If you can get just one percent better at something each day, by the end of a year … you will be 37 times better."

• How can the principle of marginal gains be applied to spiritual growth and repentance?
• What does it mean to "narrow our focus" in this context?
• How can making small, consistent improvements lead to significant spiritual growth?
• What are some areas in your spiritual life where you could apply the principle of marginal gains?
• What small, consistent improvements could you make in these areas?
• How might these improvements enhance your spiritual growth over time?

The Role of Faith in Personal Improvement

Elder Dunn emphasizes the importance of faith in the process of personal improvement. He suggests that even a small amount of faith can lead to unexpected and significant improvements in our lives.

As to repentance’s prerequisite of faith, the scriptures are clear. All that’s initially required is a mere "particle of faith." And if we can muster this "mustard seed" mentality, we too can expect unexpected and exceptional improvements in our lives.

• What is the role of faith in personal improvement?
• How can a small amount of faith lead to significant improvements?
• How has your faith played a role in your personal improvement?
• Can you think of a time when a small amount of faith led to significant improvement in your life?

The Importance of Consistency and Persistence

Elder Dunn highlights the importance of consistency and persistence in the process of personal improvement. He emphasizes that small gains can aggregate into significant change only if there is a consistent, day-in and day-out effort.

But the one caveat with this approach is that for small gains to aggregate, there must be a consistent, day-in and day-out effort. And although we won’t likely be perfect, we must be determined to mirror our persistence with patience.

• Why is consistency important in the process of personal improvement?
• Why is persistence necessary for small gains to aggregate into significant change?
• How can you incorporate consistency and persistence into your personal improvement efforts?
• Can you think of a time when your consistent and persistent efforts led to significant change?

Repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Elder Dunn discusses the connection between repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that repentance is not a one-time event but a process that, coupled with faith, opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

• What is the connection between repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
• Why is repentance described as a process rather than an event?
• How does repentance open our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
• How has the process of repentance played a role in your personal progression?
• In what ways has your faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ influenced your approach to repentance?