How to Get Better at One Thing in One Month

  • Published on:
    November 23, 2022
  • Reading time by:
    3 minutes
How to Get Better at One Thing in One Month

A formula that’s guaranteed to work. How to Get Better at One Thing in One Month

“Nobody can stop you from getting better.” - Roseanne Barr

Sometimes we focus so much on getting great at something that we miss the opportunity we have to get better. But getting better is the first step to getting great, and the best way I’ve found to get better at anything is to follow this simple formula.

How to Get Better at One Thing in One Month

Step 1: Choose One Thing

We all want to get better at lots of things, but the first step to doing so is to focus on one.

Multitasking doesn’t accelerate improvement, it impedes it. Give yourself permission to deal with the other stuff you want to improve at a later date — your likelihood of success goes way up when you focus on one thing at a time.

Step 2: Clarify Your Motivation

Do you know why you want to get better at your one thing? The better you understand your motivation, the greater your chance of success. Clarifying your motivation before you begin also helps ensure you choose the right thing to focus on. (BTW: Need a little help getting motivated? Check out For The Interested.)

Step 3: Define “Better”

You can’t achieve a goal you haven’t clearly defined. “Better” is a tricky word. It can mean different things at different times. You need to define for yourself what it means in the context of your thing, so you can accurately measure whether you accomplish it. There’s no right or wrong definition of what better means, but if you don’t clearly define it, it’s impossible to ever achieve it. Consider what metrics or tangible evidence you can attach to it.

For example, what does it mean to be a “better” blogger? Does it mean you post more frequently? That more people share your posts? That your posts inspire more debate?

(BTW: Here’s how I approach writing better Medium posts.) It doesn’t matter what definition you choose, but in order to measure your progress you must choose one.

Step 4: Do Your Thing at Least Three Times a Week

We only get better at things when we do them regularly. You have to put in the work. Improvement comes from action, not intention. The more you do it, the better you’ll get. But in almost all cases you have no chance of getting better at anything in a month unless you commit to do it at least three times a week.

Step 5: Measure Your Results

Since you defined metrics around what it means to be “better” at your thing, you can now measure your progress as you go. It’s important to not only measure your results, but also to analyze them. The secret to getting better is found in what we learn from what we measure.

This varies widely depending on what your thing is, but your actions will result in a set of impacts you need to study. Learn from how people react to what you do, how you react to it, and figure out what works and what doesn’t.

Step 6: Develop A Hypothesis

As you measure the results of your activity and analyze them, use that knowledge to form a hypothesis about how you can improve. Improvement comes from making adjustments and those adjustments are inspired by a hypothesis based on the results of the work you’ve done to this point. It’s an iterative process — don’t feel pressured to know exactly how to improve your work. Remember, a hypothesis is just a theory. That’s why the next step is to…

Step 7: Test Your Hypothesis

There’s as much chance your hypothesis of how to get better is wrong as there is that it’s right. That’s fine. You’re in a testing phase and the valuable lessons you learn from being wrong help get you closer to being right. Don’t put too much pressure on your hypothesis to be right and don’t get discouraged if it’s wrong. Learn from it and use those findings to develop a new hypothesis to test again. Each step — in success and failure — gets you closer to your goal of becoming better. Even if it may not seem like it in the moment.

Step 8: Recognize That Better Isn’t Great

As you go through the month — doing, measuring, testing, and repeating — you may feel you’re not making progress, but it’s important not to get discouraged. Don’t confuse getting “better” with getting “great.” The way to get great is to keep getting better. And the way to get better is to do so one month at a time. You’re not going to get great at anything in a month — that’s not the way the world works.

But you 100% can get better at anything in a month. And if you follow these steps, you will.

This article was published on Silvernet.com

You might also enjoy..

Grow From a Maybe Lady to a Lady Boss
by Ashley Coleman

Grow From a Maybe Lady to a Lady Boss

Making decisions feels so hard until you find out how to be more in tune with yourself. How do you start living for YOU without regard to people's opinions and feelings? Do you ever feel overwhelmed with worry about how loved ones will feel about your choices? Are you concerned with being a people pleaser so much that you neglect things that are im
How to Conquer Anxiety Like a Boss

How to Conquer Anxiety Like a Boss

In a world that never seems to slow down, anxiety can creep into even the most boss lady-like souls. But fear not, for beneath the poised exterior of every formidable woman lies the strength to conquer anxiety like the ultimate boss lady. Let's embark on a journey to harness your inner power with unconventional tips and empowering facts that will h
How To Find A Power Support Network As A Mother

How To Find A Power Support Network As A Mother

Are you a mom trying to juggle life, kids, and everything in between? Well, you're not alone in this cosmic adventure! Being a mom is like having a superhero alter ego – you can do amazing things, but even superheroes need their support networks. So, let's embark on a quest to discover your own band of superhero allies and sprinkle in some interest
How to Become Instantly Smarter Every Day

How to Become Instantly Smarter Every Day

Hey there, savvy minds! Are you ready to unlock the secret to instant brilliance? Whether you're chasing your dreams, conquering your career, or just eager to impress your pals at trivia night, we've got the scoop on how to become instantly smarter every day. It's like a brainpower boost without the need for a fancy, futuristic helmet – just a spri
Signs You're Too Smart For The People Around You

Signs You’re Too Smart For The People Around You

Intelligence is a fascinating and complex trait that varies greatly among individuals. While there is no universally agreed-upon definition of "smart," some people undoubtedly stand out in their ability to process information, solve problems, and think critically. However, being exceptionally intelligent can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation
Ways To Instantly Improve Your Self-Confidence

Ways To Instantly Improve Your Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is like a secret elixir that can make you shine in any situation, but it's not always easy to come by. While there are the obvious tips like positive self-talk and dressing well, there are countless more unconventional and creative ways to bolster your self-confidence. In this article, we'll delve into some lesser-known strategies t

Join the discussion!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *