The Power of the 1% Rule

Lessons from Nick Thompson on How Small Daily Wins Create Lasting Change

Transformation rarely announces itself. It hides inside the smallest habits—the one extra rep, the quiet morning run, the decision to keep going when it would be easier to stop.

The smallest 1% changes, repeated daily, don’t just improve performance—they rewire identity.

This week on Passion Struck, I sat down with

Nicholas Thompson

, the CEO of The Atlantic and author of The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest Sport. Together, we explore how running became Nick’s lifelong teacher — shaping his mindset, revealing the limits of his endurance, and ultimately transforming how he sees success, failure, and self-worth.

For Nick, every race was more than physical. It was psychological — a mirror reflecting the struggle to stay disciplined, curious, and authentic, even when life’s terrain turned uphill.

The 1% Rule: The Science of Incremental Mastery

Runners know this truth better than most: you don’t conquer the marathon overnight. You get there one disciplined mile — one small 1% improvement — at a time.

“You don’t have to transform your life all at once. You just have to take the next step.” — Nick Thompson

Nick describes his own evolution this way: each run taught him that consistency beats intensity. The tiny daily decision to lace up his shoes — rain or shine — rewired his brain for resilience. He wasn’t chasing perfection; he was chasing progress.

This 1% rule applies far beyond running. Whether you’re building a company, writing a book, or trying to live more intentionally, growth rarely comes in bursts. It’s the compound interest of effort.

But what happens when the 1% rule isn’t just a strategy — it’s a mirror?

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