Why 18 Minutes of Your Day Can Make You Better Than 95% of People What if I told you that's all you need to surpass 95% of people in any skill? With 18 minutes of focused, consistent effort each day, you can turn small moments into massive progress.
By Rogers Healy Edited by Micah Zimmerman
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Do you have 18 extra minutes per day?
What if I told you that's all you need to be better than 95% of people at any skill?
Sounds pretty doable, right? I'd bet that you spend more than 18 minutes scrolling through TikTok, checking your email or ordering your third matcha of the day.
Eighteen minutes a day adds up to 100 hours a year. That's 100 hours of intentional practice that can transform a skill set.
There is one more ingredient to make this dedication pay off: consistency.
Related: The 15-Minute Strategy to Get More Done Everyday
The million-dollar question: How do you stay on track for those 18 minutes every single day?
Life happens. Distractions pile up. Days get busy, fatigue sets in and suddenly, that daily commitment doesn't feel so manageable. Pushing yourself and staying disciplined is crucial, but without a strong foundation, commitments fall apart. We're human, after all.
Missing one day turns into two. Then, a week. Before you know it, you're back where you started.
Let's break it down and figure out how to stay dedicated. Trust me, I've been there, but over the years I've also learned a few tricks that make it easier to stick to a plan.
1. Make it non-negotiable
Want consistency? Treat your 18 minutes like an appointment you can't cancel. You wouldn't ignore a deadline, so why treat this commitment differently? Schedule it, block off the time and protect it.
Pick a time that works — early morning, lunch break, before bed — and make it a daily habit. Set a reminder, put it on your calendar or even write it on a sticky note if you have to write things down like I do.
Waiting for the "perfect moment" is a losing game. That moment rarely shows up. Just start.
2. Stack it with an existing habit
One of the best ways to make something stick is to attach it to a habit you already have. This technique, called habit stacking, is a game-changer for me.
I definitely didn't invent the method of habit stacking, but I'd 100% invite whoever did to a dinner. I've got a long list of questions… and even more thank yous.
Think about your daily routine. Do you drink coffee every morning? Stretch before bed? Walk your dog? Use that time to fit in your 18 minutes.
Practice a new language while making your coffee, listen to an educational podcast while commuting to work or do push-ups while waiting for your shower to heat up.
Small shifts create big momentum. It might sound hard, but life without these habits is often harder.
Related: 3 Simple Tips for Elevated Health in Less Than 15 Minutes a Day
3. Track your progress
Progress is slow and steady, which makes it hard to see in real-time. In a time where instant gratification is so expected (I'm looking at you, Instagram), it's hard to be patient when we don't see immediate results.
That's why tracking effort is essential.
Mark an X on a calendar, use a habit-tracking app or keep a notebook like I do. Watching those check marks pile up is motivating. You'll see just how far you've come in a month, two months or a year.
Pro tip: Most people focus on the big picture and forget to celebrate the small wins. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, small wins are BIG wins.
4. Stop overthinking it
Overthinking kills momentum. I recently heard the phrase analysis paralysis for the first time, and it clicked instantly. Ever seen a deer in the headlights? Yep — same energy. You get my point.
Perfectionism makes people believe every practice session has to be groundbreaking or wildly productive. It doesn't, and some days you might feel like you're pushing yourself, while other days, you'll just be going through the motions.
That's ok.
The key is to show up anyway. Progress happens by doing, not by waiting for inspiration.
Side note: Consistency doesn't mean perfection. Miss a day? Get back on track the next day. Don't let one misstep derail you.
5. Find an accountability partner
Accountability is a secret weapon.
Tell a friend, family member, or mentor about your goal and ask them to check in. Knowing someone else is paying attention makes it harder to skip.
In my experience, being a founder or entrepreneur can be lonely. Unshared goals can be overwhelming. Find people who push you to keep going and return the favor.
I'll save you years of hard lessons learned: It's more fun to win together.
Related: Why Lack of Accountability Is the Silent Productivity Killer
6. Break it into mini goals
A 100-hour goal is daunting. A 100 lb burger sounds daunting, too. You get my point.
My mom always says, "Take it one day at a time." That stuck with me. Do I ALWAYS do that? No, but it's a good reminder that breaking things down makes life a bit more manageable.
Set milestones. One day at a time adds up. Progress feels more achievable when you focus on the next step, not the finish line.
7. Embrace the grind
Some days, you won't feel like it. You'll be tired, distracted or unmotivated. Like I said, we're human. This is where I say, do it anyway.
Keep showing up — especially when it's tough. That's when it counts the most.
8. Celebrate the wins
Here's one that will always be a work in progress for me. When you hit a big milestone, take a second to acknowledge it — even if slowing down isn't your thing. It's easy to leap straight into the next goal, but progress deserves recognition. I get it. Pausing can feel unnatural when you're wired to keep moving — but trust me, it's worth it.
As a parent, I've learned this firsthand. We celebrate the tiniest moments with my daughters out of pure joy.
- First steps? Pure magic.
- Third birthday party? Confetti everywhere.
- A yummy dinner? Rounds of applause.
When you have kids, you realize the little moments are the big ones and are always worth celebrating.
And honestly? That same energy applies to everything. The wins might look smaller when you're building a habit, learning something new or chasing a goal — but they matter just as much. Those moments, stacked one on top of the other, are what fuel momentum.
Related: Lead with Insight Using These 5 Success Strategies
The tortoise wins the race
The Rule of 100 isn't about going all in for a short time and burning out. It's about showing up consistently, putting in the time daily and letting progress build over time. No overthinking. No waiting for the perfect time. Just put in the work.
The Rule of 100 is simple. Take those 18 minutes and start building. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day.
