Today, I want to dive into the concept of incrementalism, I’ll start with a brilliant quote by economist Albert Hirschman. He said, “It is the poverty of our imagination that paradoxically produces images of ‘total’ change in lieu of more modest expectations.” Now, that might sound a bit heavy, but stick with me, it’s all about how we often get caught up in dreaming about these massive, sweeping changes instead of appreciating the power of small, incremental steps.
We live in a world that’s obsessed with the idea of overnight success. How many times have you scrolled through social media and seen someone who seemingly went from zero to hero in a matter of weeks? It’s inspiring, right? But here’s the catch: it can also be super misleading. We start thinking that big, flashy transformations are the only way to make a difference, and that mindset can seriously hold us back.
When we focus on those grand visions, we can easily become overwhelmed. The idea of changing the world feels like this massive mountain to climb, and let’s be honest, most of us don’t even know where to start. It’s like trying to eat a giant pizza all at once impossible, right? But what if we took it slice by slice instead? That’s where the magic happens!
What’s the Deal with Incrementalism?
Incrementalism in the simplest terms, is the idea that progress happens through small, gradual changes rather than massive, sweeping transformations. Imagine you’re climbing a staircase. Each step you take might feel small and insignificant, but before you know it, you’re at the top, looking down at how far you’ve come.
Now, here’s where things get a little tricky. Enter the villain of our story: anti-incrementalism bias. This sneaky little bias tricks us into thinking that those small steps aren’t good enough. We start to believe that if we can’t make a dramatic change, then why bother at all? It’s like staring up at a giant mountain and thinking, “No way I can climb that!” So instead of taking that first step, we often just freeze up and do nothing.
This bias can be paralysing. When we convince ourselves that we need a complete solution to a problem, it can feel like an insurmountable mountain. Who wants to tackle that? It’s no wonder so many people give up before they even start!
Those modest expectations can actually lead to some pretty monumental outcomes over time. Think about it. If you decide to make just one small change each daylike drinking an extra glass of water, reading a few pages of a book, or taking a short walkyou might not see immediate results. But over weeks and months, those tiny changes add up to something incredible!
Let’s break it down with a little example. Imagine you want to get fit. Instead of saying, “I need to lose 20 pounds by next month!” (which can feel super overwhelming), how about starting with “I’ll go for a 10-minute walk every day”? That’s manageable, right? Over time, those 10-minute walks can turn into 20-minute jogs and before you know it, you’re crushing your fitness goals without the pressure of a drastic overhaul.
The beauty of incrementalism is that it encourages us to celebrate the small wins. Each step you take is a step in the right direction and that’s something to be proud of! Plus, when you focus on small changes, you give yourself the chance to adjust and adapt along the way. It’s way less daunting and a lot more sustainable.
Why Do We Fall for the Anti-Incrementalism Trap?
There are a few reasons why we tend to lean towards grand solutions instead of embracing the beauty of incrementalism. First off, let’s face itbig, bold ideas are super appealing! Who doesn’t want to be part of a revolution or a groundbreaking discovery? It’s exciting to think about making a huge impact all at once. But the reality is that those massive changes often don’t happen overnight, and they can be more complex than they seem.
Then there’s the feeling that small actions are just … well, too small. Picture this: you’re staring at a pile of plastic waste in the ocean, and you think, “What’s the point of recycling a few bottles?” It’s easy to feel like your small contribution won’t make a dent in the grand scheme of things. But when we overlook the power of cumulative efforts, we miss out on the potential for real change.
And let’s not forget the stories we tell ourselves and hear from the media. History loves to celebrate dramatic momentsthink revolutions, moon landings, or technological breakthroughs. Those incremental efforts that make those moments possible? Not so much. This can skew our perspective and make us undervalue the quieter, everyday work that leads to real progress.
Proof That Incrementalism Works
Despite our bias against it, incrementalism has been the driving force behind some of humanity’s greatest achievements. Let’s take a look at a few examples that might surprise you.
The Eradication of Smallpox
Can you believe that smallpox was once a deadly disease that claimed millions of lives? It was officially declared eradicated in 1980, but it didn’t happen with a single miracle cure. Instead, it was a series of deliberate steps. Starting with the smallpox vaccine in the late 18th century, public health infrastructure improved, vaccination campaigns rolled out and international collaboration kicked in. Each step built on the last and before we knew it, smallpox was gone! This wasn’t a flashy, overnight success; it was years of consistent effort.
Declining Global Poverty
Over the last few decades, we’ve seen a dramatic drop in global poverty – from nearly 36% in 1990 to under 10% by 2015. And guess what? This didn’t happen because of one sweeping policy change. It came from countless small initiatives: microfinance programs empowering individuals, educational reforms improving literacy, agricultural advancements boosting food security, and smart economic policies in developing nations. Individually, these efforts might seem small, but together they’ve reshaped the world.
Doubling Human Lifespan
A century ago the average human lifespan was around 35 years. Today, it’s over 70! This incredible increase didn’t happen overnight, either. It came from incremental advancements in various fields: better sanitation, vaccines that prevent childhood mortality, antibiotics to treat infections, improved nutrition. Each small gain added years to our lives, showing that incrementalism can lead to profound results.
These examples remind us that incrementalism isn’t about settling for less; it’s about building momentum. Small successes pave the way for bigger victories, creating a cycle of progress that can truly transform lives.
Why Do We Resist Incrementalism?
If incrementalism is so effective, why do we push back against it? Well, there are a few psychological barriers at play:
- Impatience: We live in a world of instant gratification, and waiting for gradual change can feel frustrating. We want quick fixes and visible results. When small steps don’t yield immediate impact, it’s easy to lose interest.
- Lack of Emotional Appeal: Grand solutions stir our passion and urgency. Think of the excitement around a revolution or a sweeping reform! Incremental steps can seem mundane, lacking that dramatic flair that motivates us to take action.
- Cognitive Bias: We often overestimate the impact of large interventions while underestimating the power of small, cumulative efforts. Focusing on a big goal can make the journey seem impossibly long, while breaking it down into smaller tasks feels way more doable.
These factors create a resistance to incrementalism, even when the evidence clearly shows its effectiveness.
The Psychology of Progress and Motivation
You know those big dreams you have? The ones that seem so far away that they almost feel impossible? Yeah, I’ve been there too. But here’s the thing: when we dive into the psychology behind our goal-setting habits, it becomes super clear why some of us thrive while others struggle. Spoiler alert: it all comes down to how we perceive our goals!
Research has shown that our likelihood of taking action is heavily influenced by how clear and achievable our goals feel. That’s where the concept of incrementalism comes into play. Instead of trying to tackle a massive challenge all at once, we can break it down into smaller, more digestible tasks. Think of it like eating a giant pizza – way easier to handle one slice at a time, right?
Let’s say your goal is to lose weight. If you set your sights on losing 50 pounds, that can feel incredibly daunting. You might look at the scale and feel overwhelmed, thinking, “How on earth am I going to get there?” But if you shift your focus to losing just five pounds, suddenly it feels achievable! Each time you hit that five-pound milestone, you get a little boost of confidence and motivation. That’s what researchers call the progress principle, the idea that making progress, no matter how small, can significantly enhance our overall motivation.
Now, imagine you celebrate that five-pound loss. You feel great, and guess what? You’re more likely to keep going and tackle the next five pounds. Each small win builds on the last, creating a snowball effect that propels you toward your ultimate goal. It’s like climbing a staircase: one step at a time, you’ll eventually reach the top!
On the flip side, when we fixate on the total change we want to see, like losing those 50 pounds all at once, it can lead to something called learned helplessness. This is when the gap between where we are and where we want to be feels so vast that we just throw our hands up in defeat before we even start. It’s like standing at the foot of a mountain, looking up, and thinking, “No way I can climb that.” So, we end up not even trying.
But we can totally reframe our approach, by focusing on modest, actionable steps. We can overcome that feeling of paralysis. Start small, celebrate the little victories, and before you know it you’ll be building momentum toward those larger goals.
Conclusion: Embrace Incrementalism for Transformative Change
So, what’s the takeaway? The anti-incrementalism bias can be a tough nut to crack, but it’s one we can overcome. Hirschman’s insight challenges us to rethink how we approach change. Instead of waiting for the perfect, all-encompassing fix, we should embrace the power of small, achievable steps. History has shown us that monumental achievements like the eradication of smallpox, the decline in global poverty, and the doubling of human lifespan emerged from incremental efforts, not sudden leaps.
Embracing incrementalism doesn’t mean lowering our ambitions; it means pursuing them strategically. It takes patience, persistence, and a willingness to celebrate those small victories as stepping stones to greater ones. Whether we’re tackling personal goals or addressing global issues like climate change, the lesson is clear: modest expectations, consistently met, can lead to extraordinary achievements.
Let’s shed our bias against small steps and unlock the potential to act and transform the world, one increment at a time.