I’ve been thinking a lot about the entrepreneurs I coach and the surprising way a simple rule from aviation applies to their journeys. It’s called the 1 in 60 Rule.
In aviation, a one-degree error in heading translates to a one-mile deviation for every 60 miles flown. A tiny, almost imperceptible miscalculation at the start becomes a massive course correction over a long distance. Think about a flight from New York to Los Angeles. That one-degree mistake could be the difference between landing smoothly at LAX or being 35 nautical miles off course.
This principle is a perfect metaphor for an entrepreneur’s journey. Many of the founders I work with feel overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck. They often think they need to blow up their entire business model or make a drastic change. But what they really need isn’t a complete overhaul—it’s a series of small, one-degree course corrections.
These minor adjustments, made consistently, can have a compounding effect that steers their business toward success. As Darren Hardy said, “The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” The compound effect works both ways: tiny positive changes lead to remarkable results, while small negative deviations can quietly derail even the most promising ventures.
So, instead of searching for a revolutionary change, ask yourself this: What one-degree course correction can you make today? What seemingly minor adjustment to your routine or strategy could, over time, steer you significantly closer to your goals?
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