Want to be the GOAT — Greatest Of All Time — in your profession? Not just good. Not just great. Not just greatest in this moment. But the greatest ever. Being the “Greatest Of All Time” in any occupation or profession is incredibly difficult. And hanging on to that title for longer than a minute is even harder. How about being the GOAT in a profession for years or even decades? It’s nearly inconceivable. Yet, most every athletic sport has a long-time GOAT.
- Football – All fingers point to retired Quarterback Tom Brady, who won 3 Most Valuable Player Awards (MVPs), 5 Super Bowl MVPs, made 15 Pro Bowls, and holds NFL records for 7 Super Bowl wins, 649 touchdowns, and 89,214 yards. He is even grudgingly admired by the die-hard fans of opposing teams.
- Running – The name Usain Bolt is synonymous with speed. In 2009, Bolt ran the 100m in 9.58 seconds, averaging 23.35 mph, setting the world record as the fastest runner in history.
- Soccer – A master in dribbling, playmaking and scoring alike (something no other player has ever been master of all three), Lionel Messi combines them in a way that’s never been done by anyone else. With 4 Champions League titles, 10 La Liga titles, 7 Ballon D’Or awards, and almost 800 career goals scored, Messi is the GOAT for sure.
- Basketball – For now, Michael Jordan is deemed the GOAT. As a 6-time NBA champion, 5-time MVP and 14-time All-Star, Jordan also won gold at the 1984 and 1992 Olympics with Team USA. But he might not be able to hold on to that title much longer. At age 39 and still playing, LeBron James may soon be the new GOAT given his 19 All Stars, 4-time NBA champion, 4 MVPs, and 18 All-NBA team nominations. Only time will tell if James can surpass Jordan.
- Golf – While some might think golf’s GOAT is Jack Nicklaus, the stats don’t lie. Tiger Woods won the PGA Tour 82 times, tied for the most ever with Snead. He has 108 wins worldwide. He’s won 15 major championships, including five Masters, and 18 World Golf Championships. And, he has been on 8 Ryder Cup teams and a part of 9 Presidents Cups. He also captained the 2019 Presidents Cup victory for the Americans.
- Tennis – Unlike other sports, there is great debate over who is the GOAT in Tennis. Roger Federer (age 42), Rafael Nadal (age 38) and Novak Djokovic (age 37) are considered the three best players who ever lived. But a look at the stats shows that Djokovic is edging out the others for GOAT. Even though he’s younger than the others two, he has already won 24 Major Titles, 37 Major Finals, 58 Masters Finals and 40 Masters Titles. And he has ranked #1 for 428 weeks worldwide. No one else even comes close.
So how has Djokovic edged out an ocean of fierce competitors to earn the title of GOAT? How has he managed to push out athletes who eat, sleep and breathe the tennis arena? When asked, Djokovic offered four tips that he employs which have helped him edge out the competition.
Lesson 1: The Power of Incremental Improvement
Djokovic’s first piece of advice is about continual improvement. “There are always changes happening, literally on a weekly to monthly basis in my approach to training, recovery, and mental training,” said Djokovic during an interview. “There’s always something that I’m trying to add so that I can up my performance in my game, you know, at least for a few percent. And it’s a constant process of trying to get better and trying to implement certain things that work for you and finding that formula.”
Djokovic sees the pursuit of excellence as a journey, not a destination. He cautions that while we often celebrate dramatic breakthroughs and meteoric rises, it’s the often-overlooked incremental improvements that pave the way for lasting success. Indeed, in the realm of professional sports where the margin of victory is often measured in milliseconds, the power of incremental improvement is particularly evident. Top athletes like Tom Brady, Usain Bolt, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, and Tiger Woods have all attributed their extraordinary success to a relentless pursuit of small, daily improvements.
Brady, for instance, has often spoken about his commitment to a rigorous training routine, focusing on perfecting every aspect of his game, from his throwing mechanics to his footwork. Bolt, similarly, has emphasized the importance of consistent training and attention to detail, which allowed him to break world records and dominate the sprinting world.
The concept of the “1% rule” is often cited in this context. The idea is that if you can improve by just 1% each day, over a year, you’ll be nearly 37% better than you were at the beginning. While this may seem like a modest goal, the compounding effect of these small improvements can be truly transformative. Indeed, Tiger Woods once said, “No matter how good you get you can always get better, and that’s the exciting part.” Even though top performers could rest on their laurels of their current skills, iconic performers that stay great for decades do so because they become even more diligent about improving as they get better and older.
The Power of Compounding Improvement in Business
From the world of sports to the realm of business, the principle of continuous improvement has proven its worth time and again. It is equally applicable to the business world. Just as athletes strive to become 1% better each day, businesses can focus on making small, continuous improvements to their operations, products, and services. This approach, often referred to as “continuous improvement” — or “kaizen” meaning “good change” in Japanese — can yield significant long-term benefits.
That can be combined with one of the key concepts in business: the power of compounding. When you make small, consistent investments, the returns can grow exponentially over time. This is like the athlete’s 1% rule, where small improvements compound to create significant gains. If a company improves its efficiency by 1% each day, it will see a 3780% increase in efficiency after one year. The power of compounding is such that even small improvements can lead to dramatic results. Numerous businesses have successfully applied the principle of incremental improvement to achieve remarkable results. Some examples are:
- Netflix – Netflix has leveraged technology to continuously improve its streaming service. By investing in better algorithms, improving user interfaces, and expanding its content library by creating its own content, Netflix has become the dominant player in the streaming industry. That makes Netflix the GOAT in the streaming space.
- Intel – Intel leverages a philosophy of continuous improvement to enhance product quality and customer satisfaction. Their Intel Quality System (IQS) is built upon rigorous quality standards defining the requirements for product performance, reliability, and customer satisfaction. These standards are aligned with industry best practices and are continuously updated to incorporate the latest advancements in quality management. The IQS includes a comprehensive supplier quality management system that involves supplier qualification, performance monitoring, and collaboration to ensure the delivery of high-quality components and materials. Intel also actively seeks customer input and incorporates it into its quality improvement efforts. Customer support channels are in place to address customer inquiries, issues, and concerns promptly and effectively. Because Intel is committed to delivering products of exceptional quality and reliability, the company is expected to remain the largest player in the CPU market while being relatively competitive in the AI market for the foreseeable future. That makes Intel the GOAL in its business space.
Quantifiable Results
The impact of incremental improvement can be measured in various ways. For example, businesses can track improvements in efficiency, productivity, customer satisfaction, and financial performance. Some examples of quantifiable results achieved through continuous improvement include:
- Reduced costs: By eliminating waste and improving processes, businesses can significantly reduce their operating costs.
- Increased revenue: Improved products, services, and customer satisfaction can lead to higher sales and market share.
- Enhanced customer loyalty: A focus on customer experience can drive repeat business and referrals.
- Improved employee morale: A culture of continuous improvement can foster a sense of purpose and engagement among employees.
The power of incremental improvement is undeniable. Whether you’re an athlete striving for peak performance or a business seeking to achieve long-term success, the key lies in making small, consistent improvements over time. By embracing the 1% rule and the principles of compounding, you can unlock your full potential and achieve extraordinary results.
Next week, we’ll look at Djokovic’s second tip: reinvention. Don’t miss it.
Quote of the Week
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” Tony Robbins
© 2024, Keren Peters-Atkinson. All rights reserved.
The post Improve, Reinvent, Accelerate & Balance: Wisdom from the GOATs, Part 1 first appeared on Monday Mornings with Madison.