When people think about starting a side business, they usually picture big, dramatic things like quitting their job, starting a course, or getting hundreds of customers overnight. In real life, though, working hard doesn’t necessarily lead to significant successes.
They come from doing simple things every day.
The 1% Rule argues that doing a little bit every day can lead to something far bigger than you thought was possible.
You don’t need more time, money, or skill to start a successful side business. You need to be disciplined, stick to your plan, and be willing to keep going even if you don’t notice results right away.
Let’s talk about how this rule works, why it’s important, and how you may utilize it to generate extra money on the side.
What Does the 1% Rule Say?
The 1% Rule is based on a basic idea:
The results will pile up over time if you improve anything by just 1% every day.
It’s the opposite of the hustle culture. You don’t have to labor yourself to death or “grind” all the time. You keep moving every day, but in little, calculated steps instead.
Chris Guillebeau’s book The Side Hustle says that instead of trying to go from nothing to profitable overnight, one of the easiest ways to build anything substantial is to break it down into little, consistent acts.
This way of thinking isn’t about sluggish growth; it’s about growth that lasts.
Why the 1% Rule Works So Well
This little modification in behavior can make a big difference for four primary reasons:
- It seems easier to do small things. It’s easier to write 100 words today than to plan out a complete blog.
- It makes things less overwhelming. You don’t have to know everything, only what to do next.
- It gives things a push. You feel good about yourself even when you only win a little.
- It builds up over time. Daily work adds up, much like money with interest.
Try to save a dollar per day. It doesn’t look like much, but it adds up. The same is true for side hustles: doing one concentrated task every day builds traction, skills, and eventually, money.
The 1% Rule for Side Hustles
If You’re Making a Digital Product
- Day 1: Write down five problems that your audience has.
- Day 2: Choose one idea and make a plan for the product.
- Day 3: Write the first page or slide.
- Day 4: Make a simple cover with Canva.
- Day 5: Sign up for a free account on Gumroad.
- Day 6: Put your manuscript online and choose a test price.
- Day 7: Write a fast email to five friends and ask them what they think.
You made something you can sell in just one week by working 30 minutes a day.
If You Want to Start a Freelance Business
- Day 1: Write a detailed description of what you do.
- Day 2: Create a simple Google Doc or landing page that shows prices.
- Day 3: Call three people you used to work with.
- Day 4: Put up a post about your service on LinkedIn.
- Day 5: Make a template for a proposal or onboarding.
- Day 6: Watch one video to make your offer better.
- Day 7: Respond to leads or follow up on interest.
Again, all of these are short, easy actions that help you create momentum.
Discipline Is Better Than Motivation
If you follow the 1% Rule, you don’t need incentive. You don’t get up and wonder, “What should I do today?” You’ve made up your mind.
Here’s how to organize your hustle:
- Instead of making big project plans, keep a list of “next steps.”
- Don’t do too much; just focus on one or two important activities each day.
- Use a spreadsheet, app, or journal to keep track of your progress.
- Don’t aim for perfection; instead, celebrate progress.
Discipline always wins over inspiration.
How The $100 Startup Helps the 1% Mindset
Chris Guillebeau tells anecdotes in The $100 Startup about entrepreneurs who developed successful enterprises with little money but a lot of hard work.
One quote stands out:
“You don’t need to wait for permission or a perfect strategy. Getting started is the best way to learn.”
The people that won didn’t have the best ideas. They were the ones who did things, one step at a time, until little things became businesses that made thousands of dollars every month.
What did you learn? Doing things makes things clear. Doing things leads to progress. Action makes money.
How to Create Your Own 1% Hustle Plan
You can start with this simple framework today:
1. Pick One Clear Goal
For example, earn your first $100 online in 30 days.
2. Split It Up Into Small Tasks
Look into your competitors → Pick an offer → Make a draft → Make a profile → Put up your first post → Send an email to one possible client.
Make a list of 30 simple things to do. Do one every day.
3. Set Aside Time Each Day
Pick a set time, like:
- 6:30 to 7:00 AM
- Break for lunch
- 8:30 to 9:00 PM
Come, perform your job, then leave.
4. Follow Actions, Not Just Results
Don’t worry too much about sales. What you can control is what you should focus on: Did you post? Did you send a pitch? Did you put it out there?
Real growth is frequently slow and monotonous, and that’s why it works.
Why Small Wins Add Up So Fast
In a world that loves quick success, sticking to the 1% Rule seems… strange. No posts that go viral, no screenshots with six figures, and no wins that happen “overnight.”
But while others give up because they want to take the easy way out, you will keep building — steady, strong, and constant.
You’ll look back and see that in just 90 days:
- You wrote 30,000 words.
- You made your first thousand dollars.
- You made something real.
- You came by every day.
And you’ll be much ahead of the individuals who kept putting it off till the “right time.”
Last Thoughts
You don’t have to do everything today. You don’t have to learn everything this week. You don’t have to do what other people do.
What is important is becoming the kind of person who makes one modest step every day.
Because the best idea doesn’t always prevail in the end. The one who stayed the same, slowly and steadily, 1% at a time, does.
Start now. Keep it small. Let your work develop with you.