Stop Chasing The 2%

I’ve been seeing so much discourse online about the tiny “micro habits” you NEED in order to optimize your appearance, health, focus, wallet, productivity, whatever…

Meanwhile, most people don’t even have the basics down. People are trying to convince you that you need to optimize the final 2% before you’ve mastered the 98% that actually moves the needle.

For example:
People think they need an Oura Ring or Apple Watch in order to optimize their sleep… but they don’t move their body during the day, stop scrolling before bed, or go to sleep at a reasonable hour consistently.

Or business owners who think they need a membership to the newest luxury coworking space to make “high-net-worth connections”… but they aren’t even showing up to the free networking events hosted by nonprofits, tech companies, universities, incubators, and startup organizations where EVERYONE is literally there to meet people.

I also see founders obsess over the idea that their “image” is what will make them successful.

They want the dream car because it “looks successful.”

And sure, it’s a tax write-off, but so is buying equipment, inventory, software, or systems that will actually help your business make more money long term.

Same thing with marketing. So many founders want to throw all of their money into paid ads because they think THAT is what converts customers.

Meanwhile, their organic content doesn’t even convert yet.

The truth is, people have been convinced that they need all this extra stuff in order to finally become successful.

Everyone is obsessed with perception.

I urge you to remember that people were productive, successful, wealthy, healthy, and disciplined long before wearables, fancy cars, electrolyte powders, red light therapy, high-end coworking spaces, and Google ads existed.

The next time some influencer on TikTok shames you for your morning routine and immediately offers you an expensive solution, take a second to look at everything you’ve already accomplished this year.

If you’re truly behind, it’s probably not because your morning coffee doesn’t have lion’s mane mushroom powder infused for “cognitive clarity,” it’s probably because you haven’t mastered time management, consistency, discipline, communication, or follow-through yet.

You need to master the basics before you obsess over the supplemental 2%. The basics are usually boring but they are always the reason people win.

As always, let me know if you have any thoughts or reflections in the comments.

Till Next Time,

CharChar<3

Founder of CharCharms & WallCandy

Based in Chicago, IL