1% Better

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Former accountant.
Future author.

I share actionable, educational, and entertaining self-development content to help my readers live their best lives.

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A question I can't get out of my head:

What award are you trying to win that doesn’t exist?

The more I thought about it, the more I realized how often I fall into this trap.

🏅 Most hours worked.
🏅 Least rest taken.
🏅 Never said no.
🏅 Didn't ask for help.

If I had a trophy for every time I sacrificed myself to seem strong, dependable, or put-together—I’d need a new IKEA shelf every month to hold them.

But why do we do it?

Here's the harsh truth:​
This pursuit doesn't come from a place of ambition—it comes from a place of lack.

We chase these imaginary awards because we’re afraid.

Afraid that others will see us as unreliable, incapable, or incompetent.

So we swing hard in the opposite direction.

We overwork to look committed.
Say "yes" to everything to seem reliable.
Avoid asking for help to appear competent.

But in reality, we’re performing for judges who don't even exist.

And the only one holding us to these limiting beliefs is ourselves.

Your challenge this week:​
Name the award you’ve been trying to win that isn’t real.

But don’t stop there.

Ask yourself: What’s driving me to chase it in the first place?

When you stop performing for an invisible panel of judges, you can finally start living from a place of truth instead of defense.

Image credit: themindfriend on Instagram
_____

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Colby Kultgen

Founder of 1% Better™ | Former accountant, future author | Follow me for the best self-development content on LinkedIn

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Things we should have learned in school—but didn’t.

Whether you're a:

- CEO
- Sales rep
- Tech lead
- HR manager
- Product designer
- Financial advisor
- Marketing coordinator
- Media producer

You will never regret investing in these skills.

What would you add?

———

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What we should have learned in school (but never did) 

I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese culture.

The mix of old and new.
The attention to detail in everything. 
The deep-rooted sense of respect among the people.

Here are 7 Japanese concepts that changed my life (and may change yours too):

1. Kaizen (改善) – A principle of continuous improvement.

Key lesson: Set small, achievable goals. Improve slowly.

———

2. Kintsugi (金継ぎ) – Repairing pottery with gold.

Key lesson: No matter how broken things may seem, you can always put the pieces back together.

———

3. Hara Hachi Bu (腹八分目) – Eat until you're 80% full.

Key lesson: Savor your food—let your body tell you when to stop.

———

4. Ikigai (生き甲斐) – A reason for being.

Key lesson: Find purpose at the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.

———

5. Oubaitori (桜梅桃李) – Don’t compare yourself to others.

Key lesson: Embrace your own unique timeline.

———

6. Wabi-Sabi (侘び寂び) – Embrace impermanence.

Key lesson: Find beauty in the impermanence of life.

———

7. Gaman (我慢) – Keep dignity during distress.

Key lesson: Meet hard times with patience and perseverance.

———

Have you ever been to Japan?
If so, what impact did it have on you?

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Luck is completely out of our control.

Or is it?

Do these 6 things if you want to tilt the odds in your favor:

———

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6 simple ways to improve your luck

As a Canadian, this post hit home for me.

We’re world-class at saying “sorry” for things that don’t need apologizing.

But over-apologizing can quietly chip away at our confidence—and how others perceive us too.

This cheat sheet from my friend Jade Bonacolta  is packed with simple (and powerful) swaps to help reframe your language at work:

Instead of…try saying:

1. Sorry for rescheduling → I appreciate your flexibility.

2. Sorry to bother you → Thank you for making the time.

3. Sorry for venting → I really value you listening.

4. Sorry for running late → I’m grateful for your patience.

5. Sorry I had to take that call → Appreciate you waiting.

6. Sorry for jumping in → I’d love to offer a thought here.

7. Sorry for the mistake → Good catch—thanks for flagging it.

8. Sorry, I don’t get it → Mind repeating that? I want to make sure I’m following.

9. Sorry, does that make sense? → Let me know if I can clarify anything.

Tiny tweaks.
Big impact.

(Speaking from experience)

———

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