The 100 Percent Rule That Makes Life a Lot Easier: Why Holding onto Your Principles is Key to Building Confidence and Success

The 100 Percent Rule That Makes Life a Lot Easier: Why Holding onto Your Principles is Key to Building Confidence and Success

In life, we often find ourselves faced with difficult decisions. These decisions can be influenced by external pressures, societal expectations, and the fear of failure. However, there is a rule that can make these decisions easier and help us build confidence in ourselves and our choices. It's called the 100 percent rule.

The 100 percent rule, popularized by Clayton Christensen, states that it's easier to hold your principles 100 percent of the time than it is to hold them 98 percent of the time. This means that rather than wavering in our commitments and decisions, we should fully commit to them without hesitation.

But why is it so important to adhere to the 100 percent rule? Well, situations often have more power over us than our internal desires. When we repeatedly fail to fully commit to our decisions, it can create problems in our confidence and identity. We start to doubt ourselves and our abilities, leading to a lack of motivation and commitment.

Robert Brault once said, "We are kept from our goal not by obstacles but by a clear path to a lesser goal." This quote perfectly encapsulates the idea that motivation requires simplicity. When we overcomplicate things and allow ourselves to be swayed by external factors, we lose sight of our true goals and aspirations.

To overcome this, we can ask ourselves a simple question: "How would my future self want to remember this?" By considering the perspective of our future selves, we can make decisions that align with our long-term goals and values. This technique allows us to step outside of our current desires and see the bigger picture.

Now, let's shift gears and explore how the 100 percent rule can be applied in a corporate context. In his article, "Why did I leave Google or, why did I stay so long?", the author reflects on their experience at Waze, a company acquired by Google. They discuss how being promoted often has a greater impact on individual economic success than the growth of the product itself.

This focus on promotions can lead to a shift in mindset, where employees see their role in the company as a stepping stone rather than a true calling. The famous Netflix culture doc states that culture is defined by who you hire, fire, or let go. This rings true, as the wrong hires can hinder a company's growth and success.

The author also highlights the challenges of working within a corporation. As a company becomes part of a larger entity, the signal to noise ratio changes dramatically. More time is dedicated to non-user value creation tasks, shifting the focus from the customer to corporate guidelines.

In this environment, the 100 percent rule becomes even more essential. Employees must remember to prioritize the needs of their users and the quality of their work. By asking themselves, "What did I do for our users today?", they can stay focused on what truly matters.

However, the author acknowledges that there are challenges when there is no equity upside in a corporate setting. Despite this, they emphasize the importance of keeping the company focused on the product, with employees who are there for the right reasons. This requires empowering leaders to control their own destiny and make decisions that align with the company's goals.

Reflecting on their experience, the author admits that they could have grown faster and more efficiently if they had remained independent. They acknowledge that the acquisition was a success but that they personally struggled to maintain the startup magic within a corporation. They encourage others in similar situations to focus on building the right team, structure, and succession plan rather than fighting against the nature of the beast.

To summarize, the 100 percent rule can be applied both in personal and corporate contexts. By fully committing to our decisions and prioritizing the needs of our users and customers, we can build confidence and success. Here are three actionable pieces of advice to apply the 100 percent rule in your own life:

• 1. Simplify your decision-making process: Avoid overcomplicating things and focus on what truly matters. Consider the perspective of your future self to make decisions that align with your long-term goals.

• 2. Prioritize the needs of your users: Whether in a personal or professional setting, always ask yourself, "What did I do for our users today?" Keep your priorities straight and avoid getting caught up in non-value creation tasks.

• 3. Build the right team and structure: Surround yourself with individuals who share your values and are committed to the success of your goals. Empower leaders to control their own destiny and make decisions that align with the company's vision.

By following these three pieces of advice and embracing the 100 percent rule, you can navigate life's challenges with confidence and make decisions that lead to long-term success. Remember, it's easier to hold your principles 100 percent of the time than it is to hold them 98 percent of the time.