In the media there have been articles that individuals, teams and groups have secured improved results in competition through adopting many, small improvements. Notably the success of GB Cycling, at world level sport, has it seems to have mastered it!
Last week I encountered a woman who had a stroke a couple of years ago. When she had been talking about "marginal gains" that she determined the principle could work for her.
Her stroke had resulted a weakness on one side that restricts her mobility. Some simple tasks, including hanging out the washing to dry, had been out of her capability. However, as she determined (as her husband was engaging in other chores that she wouldn't disrupt him and as the wonderful Scottish June weather was, as it was starting to rain) she made the effort to bring the hanging clothes off the line and into her house.
The one-handed, throw over shoulder technique was established. The conditions were testing as resting on her walking stick in contact with the wet path but managed the clothes got indoors with being too wet. And no accidents. She is now examining how to the develop the technique. But who knows, another few marginal gains might lead to more contributing her lifestyle even more satisfying.
It just shows that even really marginal gains contribute to small victories that can lead to big changes.
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