A lot of people believe that massive success requires massive action. However, that’s actually not the case. If you are going to look for people who have succeeded in life overnight, it may take you years to find one.

The truth is that people become successful because of their seemingly small and insignificant habits. If you are trying to figure out why small habits are important, then you came to the right place.

In this post, let me share with you five reasons small habits are important in your success.

Reason no. 1: Small habits will sustain you in the long run

It is true that 1 percent improvement isn’t much. Some people don’t even notice it.

However, that’s where the magic starts.

Tiny improvements become more and more meaningful in the long run. In fact, the compound effect of small habits, when you combine them over time, would lead to dramatic changes.

In the book, Atomic Habits by James Clear, he mathematically explained it this way:

If you can get 1 percent better each day for one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done. 

Conversely, if you get 1 percent worse each day for one year, you’ll decline nearly down to zero.

James Clear further added how the math looks like if you get 1% better every day:

• 1% worse every day for one year. 0.99365 = 00.03
• 1% better every day for one year. 1.01365 = 37.78

Reason no. 2: Small habits come with a compound effect

In the book, The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, he illustrated what compound effect is when it comes to self-improvement:

“Small, Smart Choices + Consistency + Time = RADICAL DIFFERENCE.” 

Just like in banking, even if you start with a small amount of money, if it is being compounded every day, it will eventually become millions of dollars!

One good example is the leap year. Every four years, we add one day to the month of February. 

Why is that? 

It’s because of the compound effect. 

In those last four years, we accumulate small changes in how the planets move. Now, we don’t feel it at that time, but when you reach the fourth year, you suddenly experience its powerful effect!

It’s so powerful that one day is added to the calendar year that the whole world follows!

Now, think about it in terms of your habits.

Yes, habits that are small can be insignificant, but it has a compounding effect that can dramatically improve your life in a short period of time.

Reason no. 3: Success is a product of daily habits

If you really want to be successful, you have to understand this important concept:

Success is the product of daily habits.

You might be tempted to look at successful people and think that they reached the top because of a once-in-a-lifetime transformation.

The truth is it is not.

If you get an opportunity to talk to these successful people, chances are, they will tell you that it was their habits that led them to the top.

Reason no. 4: Small habits affect your trajectory

Notice this example given by James Clear in his book, Atomic Habits:

The impact created by a change in your habits is similar to the effect of shifting the route of an airplane by just a few degrees. Imagine you are flying from Los Angeles to New York City. 

If a pilot leaving from LAX adjusts the heading just 3.5 degrees south, you will land in Washington, D.C., instead of New York. Such a small change is barely noticeable at takeoff—the nose of the airplane moves just a few feet—but when magnified across the entire United States, you end up hundreds of miles apart.

You see, even the slightest change in your daily habit will eventually lead you to a different destination. Yes, it is true that 1 percent better each day doesn’t really feel like much. However, over the span of time, your small habits can determine the difference between what you are right now and what you want to be.

If you want to foresee what the future has in store for you, look into your small habits. It will tell you where you are going.

Reason no. 5: Time magnifies small habits

When you have positive small habits, time is your friend. Time can multiply whatever you consistently do, day in and day out.

However, the opposite is true. 

You get what you repeat in life.

James Clear, Atomic Habits

If time can magnify the positive effects of positive habits, then time can also magnify the negative effects of negative habits.

They don’t just add up, but they multiply!

As you can see, habits can be a double-edged sword.

It’s up to you how you will wield your sword of habit.

Harness the power of small habits

Small positive habits are the power that drives successful people. We have just shared with you why you should never underestimate the power of small habits and how they can lead to your biggest triumph.

It doesn’t matter how rich or poor you are right now. It doesn’t matter where you are or where you want to be.

The important thing is you start doing small but consistent positive habits now. 

Remember, you get what you repeat in your life.

So, go out there and harness the power of small habits!

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