Weekly Reflections: Self-improvement and Marginal Gains

On Monday I had the pleasure of leading assembly. This week’s theme was ‘reflections’ so I talked about a book I read over the break Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? by Royal High Alumna, Harriet Beveridge and Ben Hunt-Davis MBE. Now I am interested in self-improvement and how marginal gains – those small, incremental 1% changes to the way we operate – help us to better ourselves, and, as learners for life, I feel we should all give time to consider how we can be that little bit better at some of what we do. I also recommend the book because it was an honest story about grit, sacrifice and celebration.

The self-improvement and marginal gains were the focus of the message. The book is co-authored by Ben Hunt-Davis, an Olympic medal winner and part of an 8-man team with every chance of winning the Olympic Gold. Every decision made to help the team nudge towards that goal centred around this question – will it make the boat go faster? There was no point changing something if the boat didn’t go faster – because it wouldn’t help them win. 

As I continued to read the book, it became clear that it was the process that mattered. The process to self-improvement involves 4 layers. In summary:

The crazy layer is where you can be bold, even excessive. The author’s crazy layer goal, for example, was to win the gold medal in rowing at the Olympics!

The concrete layer helps you do this. This layer focuses on the specifics e.g. aiming to row 2000 metres in five minutes and 18 seconds. The concrete layer should be precise and clear, but not every element in this layer is under our control so it is the control layer that helps to identify exactly what you can control when working toward success. 

Finally, the everyday layer outlines the steps you need to take on a daily basis that are vital to achieving your crazy layer goal. This involves setting specific and measurable milestones.

I invited everyone to then think of a goal. A goal to achieve in the next one hundred days, (taking us to early June) based on following these steps. It could be related to their study, but also to a hobby or a specific skill. This is most possible when we are surrounded by like-minded and positive people, willing to cheer each other on and offer support. This is something we do so well at Royal High, and I am incredibly proud of this culture that exists in our school. 

I wonder what wonderful things everyone will decide to focus on to help them make those marginal gains of self-improvements; I can’t wait to find out in June!

Ms Heidi-Jayne Boyes, Head