The 1 in 60 Rule:
Small Course Corrections, Big Results
Last week, I stared at my to-do list with growing frustration. Despite running faster on the hamster wheel every day, I couldn't shake the feeling I wasn't moving in the direction.
That's when it hit me. In January, I'd committed to three hours per week of uninterrupted strategic thinking time. No emails, no fires, just pure big-picture planning to shape BestSelf's future.
I checked my calendar and felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. Over the past month, I'd abandoned this commitment. Each week, something "more urgent" took priority.
The truth? I'd been making my most important work optional. And when it's optional, it disappears first when life gets busy.
I realized that by not protecting this strategic thinking time, I wasn't just missing a few work hours—I was changing my business trajectory. Each week I skipped it was a small shift off course. Now, months later, I was headed in a different direction—reacting to every situation instead of creating the path forward.
The 1 in 60 Rule for Extraordinary Success
This isn't just clever math for pilots—it's a powerful lens for viewing our lives. Consider the presentation you've delayed, the relationship conversation you're avoiding, the health habits you'll "start tomorrow"... Each day's delay is a small degree off course. And like aviation, the longer you wait to correct, the further you'll need to travel to reach your destination.
A 1-degree error in these areas can compound dramatically:
- Health: Skipping one workout leads to a month-long gap.
- Relationships: Postponing one "difficult conversation" grows emotional distance
- Career: Delaying strategic work for "urgent" tasks turns you from visionary to firefighter.
Here's the empowering part: the same principle works in reverse. Small, consistent corrections can dramatically alter your path:
- A daily 10-minute workout beats an irregular 2-hour gym session.
- A brief, honest conversation prevents weeks of misunderstanding.
- 15 minutes of strategic thinking prevents hours of reactive firefighting.
The key insight? You don't need dramatic overhauls or perfect execution. You need a clear destination and the willingness to make tiny, consistent corrections when you drift.
1️⃣ Set Clear Flight Coordinates: Goals need precision. Instead of vague aims like “get in shape,” use specific targets:
- “Weigh 170 lbs by June 30.”
- “Three hours of strategic planning every Wednesday.”
- “One focused conversation with my partner daily.”
I refined my goal: “Three hours of uninterrupted strategic thinking every Wednesday, with documented insights.”
2️⃣ Establish a Flight Plan: Systems drive success. Ask:
- ✅ What actions must happen and when?
- ✅ What resources do you need?
- ✅ How will you protect these actions?
My plan: Block Wednesday mornings for ‘STRATEGIC THINKING—NO EXCEPTIONS,’ brief my team, and use a dedicated notebook.
3️⃣ Schedule Navigation Checks: Stay on course with:
- ✅ Daily (30 sec): “Did I follow my plan?”
- ✅ Weekly (15 min): “Am I on track?”
- ✅ Monthly (30 min): “Is my goal still right?”
I track consistency (Did I do it?) and outcomes (What insights emerged?).
4️⃣ Anticipate Weather Patterns: Plan for obstacles:
- ✅ What predictable challenges will arise?
- ✅ What situations derail your habits?
- ✅ Who might unintentionally sabotage progress?
Prepare strategies in advance to navigate disruptions.
5️⃣ Make Micro-Corrections: Small tweaks keep you on course:
- ✅ Avoid drastic system overhauls.
- ✅ Adjust by 1 degree and observe results.
- ✅ Consistency beats intensity.
Finally, ensure your destination aligns with your values. The best plan is useless if it leads to the wrong place.
Take 60 seconds to check your calendar for next week. Identify one commitment that, if missed, would derail an important goal. Change its title to include "NO EXCEPTIONS" or another phrase that reinforces its non-negotiable status.This labeling change creates a psychological barrier against small compromises that lead to major deviations.
🎧 Podcast Episode: Small Changes, Big Results
Naval Ravikant on The Knowledge Project (Episode 18, start at 32:00) Naval breaks down why consistent 1% improvements beat sporadic massive efforts. His explanation of "arithmetic vs. geometric gains" helped me understand why my previous attempts at dramatic overhauls always failed.
Best quote: "The definition of self-discipline is doing what you know you should do, even when you don't feel like doing it. Start microscopically small."
📺Quick Watch:”The Power of Small Wins”
Harvard professor Teresa Amabile shares research on why tracking minor progress dramatically improves long-term success. Her "progress principle" explains the science behind our 1 in 60 rule—and why celebrating tiny course corrections matters more than waiting for big wins.
Remember: The people who consistently reach their destinations aren't those who never get off track—they're those who measure constantly and make small, consistent corrections before a small deviation becomes a major miss.
Next week, we'll build on this foundation with a complete Q1 Reset framework to help you recalibrate any drifting goals.
Here's to staying on your flight path, one small correction at a time. You've got this
💪
Cheers,
Cathryn
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