By Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM
In the world of professional case management, we are often encouraged to focus on outcomes such as improved patient satisfaction, reduced hospital readmissions, shortened lengths of stay, and seamless transitions of care. Case managers often feel pressured to produce rapid, measurable, patient-centered, and cost-efficient decisions with positive outcomes. We strive for measurable success and immediate changes. However, change does not happen all at once. It happens in increments. The Power of 1% represents the idea that small, intentional actions practiced consistently over time can lead to profound, lasting impact. This perspective is important for case managers. Case management is a profession built on coordination, compassion, advocacy, education, and empathy. The expectation is to be perfect, solve everything immediately and produce dramatic results in a brief period of time. But what if we gave ourselves permission to let go of perfection? What if we focus on doing just 1% better each day?
This shift in thinking must be intentional until it becomes a habit. The small choices we make add up over time. A mere 1% improvement repeated daily compounds to thirty-seven times better over the course of a year (Clear, 2018). The same principle applies to professional case management practice. Incremental improvements in communication, documentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient engagement can result in transformative gains over time.
Progress does not require perfection. In fact, the pursuit of perfection can be paralyzing. It can prevent action and stifle creativity. Our goal should not be perfection, but rather consistency and intention. 1% growth is not about doing everything right. It is about doing something meaningful and consistent.
Developing better habits can enable us to work smarter and more effectively. This could include setting aside time each morning for planning, using motivational interviewing more consistently, or proactively identifying patients at risk. The key is intentional actions. The Power of 1% philosophy invites professionals to stop obsessing over endpoints and instead invest in consistent forward motion. In this way, we build confidence through action, not perfection. This mindset has a ripple effect. When case managers model consistency, self-awareness, and realistic goal setting, they foster a culture of trust and resilience. The small decision to take five extra minutes to explain a discharge plan or to check in on a high-risk patient can mean the difference between readmission and recovery. These are not grand gestures. They are 1% choices.
There is science behind this philosophy. Research on behavioral change shows that individuals who focus on small, achievable goals are more likely to sustain progress than those who attempt sweeping transformations (Fogg, 2019). In fact, setting goals that are “too big” often leads to disengagement when perfection is not achieved. For case managers, the Power of 1% mindset is both practical and protective. It guards against burnout by making progress feel accessible.
What if you made 1% progress each day? Sounds like a drop in the bucket. But in the end, the Power of 1% is not a call to do more, but to do better. It is a gentle reminder that transformation is not a product of heroic effort, but of consistent dedication. That one extra conversation, one thoughtful follow-up, one shared insight can and does create a ripple effect in the lives we touch. Excellence is not the result of perfection. It is the result of care, consistency, and the courage to believe that small steps matter. Little things really do make the biggest difference. There will be setbacks. Some days it may feel like no progress is being made. Remember that consistency is key.
Tomorrow, try to be 1% more present. 1% more curious. 1% more attentive to your patients. You just might discover that the secret to meaningful impact was never about doing everything. It was always about doing something.
Be 1% better every day.
Perfection is not the goal. Progress is.
Get ready for an exciting August with CMSA! We've got two great opportunities coming your way:
-International Special Interest Group (No CEs): Connect with colleagues and discuss global case management trends.
-CMSA National Webinar: Discharging Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) Patients: Enhance your expertise in this critical area of patient care.
Don't miss out on these chances to learn and grow with your professional community!
Learn more here: https://cmsa.org/events/
Bio: Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM is President of CMSA. She is a transplant case manager with a wide variety of experiences including educator, administrator, team leader, and Director of Case Management. Janet holds a Master of Science in Nursing from West Virginia University and a Master of Science in Adult Education from Marshall University. She has published many articles in CMSA Today and the Professional Case Management Journal and served as a reviewer for the Core Curriculum for Case Management Third Edition. She has served as President-Elect of CMSA, Chair of the CMSA Today Editorial Board, Chair of the Nominations Committee, and Vice-President of the CMSA Foundation board. Janet was the recipient of the CMSA National Award of Service Excellence and Southern Ohio Valley CMSA Case Management Leadership award and was recently inducted as a Case Management Fellow from CMSA.
References:
Clear, J. (2018). Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. (“Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones”) Avery.
Fogg, B. J. (2019). Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.