Welcome

Hi there reader 👋

Not all habits are created equal.

Some grow over time, pushing you to do more, achieve more, and build momentum—until you reach your limit.
Others don’t stop with you—they ripple out, inspiring you to adopt additional habits or impacting those around you.

These are habits that grow and habits that multiply.

The key to unlocking transformational change is knowing how to use both.

Today, I’ll break down the difference, give you examples, and show you how to make these habits work for you.

What Are Habits That Grow?

Habits that grow start tiny and build naturally.
They evolve because they challenge you, and you feel motivated to push further.

However, these habits often have a ceiling—they can only grow so far before you plateau.

Examples of Habits That Grow:

1. Planking
   
   Start: You plank for 10 seconds.

   Growth: You add time each day until you’re planking for 2 minutes, then 3, then 5. Eventually, you hit a physical or practical limit—after all, no one planks for 30 minutes (well, not many)!
   

2. Journaling
   
   Start: You write one sentence each night before bed.

   Growth: One sentence becomes a paragraph, then a page, as you dive deeper into your thoughts.
   

3. Walking
   
   Start: You walk for 5 minutes after lunch.

   Growth: 5 minutes becomes 20 minutes, then a full-blown daily fitness routine.

Why They Work

Habits that grow thrive on momentum.
They start so tiny that they’re impossible to fail, and the natural rewards—whether it’s strength, clarity, or energy—motivate you to keep going.

The Catch

Growth habits usually reach a point where you can’t scale further.
But even then, their impact is profound because they’ve created consistency.

What Are Habits That Multiply?

Habits that multiply don’t just grow—they ripple out.
These are the habits that spark additional positive changes in your life or even inspire those around you to take action.

Examples of Habits That Multiply

1. Gratitude Notes
   

   • Start: After finishing a meeting, you send one thank-you email to a colleague.

   • Multiplication: Your gratitude spreads to your team, creating a culture of positivity. You also find yourself looking for more opportunities to express gratitude.
     

2. Morning Push-Ups
   

   • Start: After brushing your teeth, you do one push-up.

   • Multiplication: One push-up grows into a full morning workout. Plus, your new energy inspires you to eat better, drink more water, or improve your sleep.
     

3. Tidying Up

   • Start: After you finish your morning coffee, you tidy one corner of your desk.

   • Multiplication: That small act sparks a cleaning spree, and suddenly your workspace (and mind) feels clearer.

Why They Work

Multiplication habits are powerful because their impact isn’t limited to the habit itself. They create ripples, inspiring new habits or even changing the behaviour of others.

The Catch

They’re harder to predict—you can’t always know which habits will multiply.

But when they do, the results can be extraordinary.

How to Choose and Build These Habits

So how do you design habits that grow or multiply?
Here’s the simple framework:

1. Start Tiny—Always.

Both types of habits need to begin small. If it’s too big, it’ll fail before it can grow or ripple.

• Growth Example:
  Start with planking for 10 seconds. It’s small, achievable, and easy to build on.
  

• Multiplication Example:
  Start with writing one thank-you email per week. It’s tiny, but the ripple effect could inspire your entire team.

2. Pay Attention to Momentum.

• For habits that grow, look for opportunities to expand naturally.
  Don’t force it—let the habit evolve as it feels good.
  

• For habits that multiply, notice what additional behaviours the habit sparks or how it impacts others.

3. Celebrate Along the Way.

Growth and multiplication only happen when habits feel rewarding.

Celebrate every step to reinforce the behaviour.

Examples for Your Work and Life

Habits That Grow in Leadership:

1. After logging into Zoom, take one deep breath.

   • Growth: That deep breath turns into a grounding ritual, which improves your focus and presence in meetings.
     

2. After completing a task, write down one small win.

   • Growth: Writing one win becomes a weekly reflection practice that boosts confidence and clarity.

Habits That Multiply in Leadership:

1. After a team meeting, recognise one team member’s effort.

   • Multiplication: Your recognition inspires others to show appreciation, creating a more engaged and positive team culture.
     

2. After opening your inbox, respond to one email with empathy.

   • Multiplication: Empathy creates stronger relationships, encourages better communication, and inspires more collaborative habits.

Your Action Plan: Choose Your Habit Type

This week, pick one habit to focus on.
Decide whether you want a habit that grows or multiplies, then design it using the Tiny Habits formula:

“After I [current behaviour], I will [tiny habit].”

Here’s an example for each:

• Growth Habit: After I brush my teeth, I will floss 1 tooth.

  • Potential Growth: 1 tooth becomes 2, then a full flossing routine.
    

• Multiplication Habit: After I finish a call, I’ll write down 1 thing I’m grateful for.

  • Potential Multiplication: Gratitude expands into journaling, mindfulness, and more positivity in your day.

Closing Thought: Growth or Multiplication—Both Lead to Change

Whether your habit grows or multiplies, it starts with one tiny step.

These habits might seem small, but they have the power to transform your day, your work, and even your relationships.

What’s one habit you’ll plant this week?
Feel free to let me know—I’d love to hear about it.

Until next time, remember:

When you’re ready here’s how I can help

I offer a free 45-minute intro call (a “Tiny Chat”) designed to help you explore how tiny, consistent habits can make a meaningful impact—whether for your own personal growth or your team’s performance.

👉 Whether you’re looking to elevate your own habits or empower your team to thrive, this call is the perfect starting point.