Understanding Incrementalism: The Art of Gradual Greatness

What's the secret to true progress?

It's not about waiting for those earth-shattering moments that promise to change everything overnight. Those are more myth than reality. Progress really happens in the quiet corners of your daily life. It's the small habits, the tiny choices, the seemingly insignificant actions you take day in and day out. These are the invisible architects of change, slowly but surely reshaping your life.

Take Marvel, for instance. In 2008, they released "Iron Man," a relatively unknown superhero to most people. The MCU's didn't start with an ensemble; it started with one guy in a tin can. Iron Man was a great movie, but it was also a simple, first step. Over time, the MCU built its empire one witty quip and post-credit scene at a time. Movie by movie, they wove interconnected storylines, and created a rich, complex universe. Before we knew it, everyone and their grandma was practicing a superhero landing or walking around mumbling "I am Groot."

The Marvel Cinematic Universe, my friends, is a great example of incrementalism in action. So this week let’s dive into incrementalism, what it is, how it works, and how you can use it.

What Is Incrementalism?

Incrementalism is the practice of making small, constant improvements over time. Instead of trying to leap tall buildings in a single bound, you take the stairs. One step at a time, no cape required. It's about making your life, business, or project just a smidge better each day.

At its core, incrementalism is rooted in the idea that progress is more achievable and sustainable when we focus on gradual improvements rather than attempting to make giant leaps. It's about shifting our mindset from grand outcomes to what can be improved right now, even if it's just by 1%.

How It Works

In any large task or project, incrementalism encourages breaking the process into smaller, achievable steps rather than trying to complete everything at once. Each small win builds momentum and keeps you going. Over time, these small changes compound into significant results.

We do this at Sporcle all the time. For instance, when our product managers write a feature specification, it goes through a spec review. A crucial part of this review is requesting a WAG - a "Wild Ass Guess" (yes, that's the technical term). This WAG is essentially an engineer's estimate of how long the work will take.

If the WAG comes back high (indicating a substantial time investment) the product manager often goes back to the drawing board. They revisit their spec, aiming to distill it to its core essentials. What was once a giant task becomes a more manageable project. We focus on releasing a core feature first, then build upon it incrementally.

The beauty of incrementalism lies not in doing everything at once, but in being just a little bit better than yesterday. It's about progress, not perfection.

The Challenge of Staying Focused

Incrementalism is powerful, but it's not always easy to stick with. One of the biggest challenges is fighting the urge to do everything at once.

It's totally normal to want to create something impressive right from the start. We often have this big, exciting vision of our end goal, and it's tempting to try to make it happen immediately. But here's the thing, my little chili babies - that impulse can lead to feeling overwhelmed and burning out. Sometimes, it even stops us from getting started at all.

Plus, as we work on our projects, we're constantly coming up with new ideas. It feels like we should add them in, thinking they'll make the final product even better. But more often than not, this just leads to delays and makes everything more complicated. We can lose sight of what we were trying to do in the first place.

So, how do you actually make this work? The key is to stay disciplined and focused on creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) – the simplest version that can still deliver value. Here's how:

• Define your core offering: First, you need to get really clear on what you're actually trying to do. What's the main problem you're solving? What's the core value you're offering? This is your north star.

• Prioritize ruthlessly: Make a list of everything you think you need, then be ready to cut it down. Anything that's not absolutely essential for your MVP? It's got to go, at least for now.

• Set clear milestones: Break your project into distinct phases. Define what constitutes your MVP and stick to it for your first release or iteration.

• Embrace imperfection: Remember, your first version doesn't need to be perfect. It's a starting point to build upon.

• Park ideas for later: Keep a separate list of ideas for future iterations. This acknowledges their potential value without derailing your current focus.

• Get early feedback: Once you've got your MVP, share it with a small group and see what they think. Their feedback can help you make sure you're on the right track before you start adding more features.

By sticking to this approach, you're creating something real that you can build on. It lets you learn as you go, adapt based on what works, and grow your project in a way that actually makes sense. That's what incrementalism is all about.

How to Implement Incrementalism

So, we've talked about what incrementalism is, how it works, and some of the tricky parts. Now let's jump into some practical ways to apply this approach in your own life or projects. Whether you're building a business, working on personal development, or tackling any long-term goal, these tips can help you make those small, steady improvements that really add up over time.

1. Break it all down: Take those big, amazing goals of yours and chop them up into smaller bits. This isn't about compromising on quality or vision. Rather, it's about finding a starting point that's achievable and builds momentum. Once that core is in place, you can iterate and expand. The same principle applies to personal goals. Want to write a book? Start with outlining chapters. Looking to run a marathon? Begin with a goal of running for just 10 minutes without stopping.

2. Focus on consistency: Regular, small improvements are key. Make these steady changes your best friend in achieving your goals.

3. Celebrate small wins: Each successful step, no matter how small, is progress. Every tiny victory counts. Give yourself a high-five for those small successes - even if you have to high-five yourself. It's not weird, it's motivational.

4. Be patient: Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was the MCU. Trust in the process and give your incremental changes time to compound. Building something great takes time.

5. Think about the long game: While you're tackling those daily tasks, keep your big goal in mind. It's a balancing act between making small improvements and staying focused on your ultimate vision. You can celebrate those daily wins, without also losing sight of where you're headed. Remember, every little step is part of your larger journey. Balance, people. It's not just for tightrope walkers.Leave a comment

In Conclusion

Incrementalism is about embracing the power of small, consistent steps to achieve significant progress over time. By breaking down our ambitious goals into manageable tasks, we create a path forward that's both achievable and sustainable.

This approach isn't always easy – it demands patience and persistence. However, it's often the most effective way to tackle complex projects or long-term aspirations. Remember, it's okay to start small – in fact, it's often the best way to begin.

As you consider your own projects and ambitions, think about how you might apply this incremental approach. What's one small, concrete action you could take today that would move you in the right direction?

Remember, even Tony Stark started with a box of scraps in a cave. What's your first small step going to be?