The ‘+5 focus’: Small steps lead to big wins

Mike Green - CEO - Harcourts International

A famous Chinese proverb tells us, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." It’s a powerful reminder that meaningful progress in life or business doesn’t happen all at once. It happens step by step, decision by decision, action by action.

The ‘+5 Focus’ builds on this principle—aiming to improve your performance, market share, or bottom line by just 5%. It sounds simple, yet this small, intentional improvement can make a significant difference over time.

But how do you adopt this focus? And more importantly, how do you apply it to your personal growth, leadership, or business success?

Let's explore why the ‘+5 Focus’ is so impactful and how real, sustainable improvement happens.

The Power of Incremental Growth

Improvement doesn’t come from trying to overhaul your business or life overnight. It isn’t about taking grand, sweeping actions (though they have their place). Instead, it comes from identifying small, actionable changes and staying consistent.

Think about it this way—adding 5% to your bottom line this year might initially sound like a modest goal. However, when compounded over time, 5% can evolve into exponential growth. It also creates momentum.

The more improvement you see, the more likely you are to stay driven, disciplined, and focused. The more like a Hunter, and less like the Hunted.

Using a +5 Focus to be The Hunter Not The Hunted

I’ve talked about the Hunter v Hunted mindset in a previous post – see that HERE – and the +5 focus is especially relevant in industries like real estate or business, where lasting success relies on client trust, consistency, and adaptability to market trends.

The Four Pathways of Change

Real and meaningful change, whether in our professional or personal lives, tends to happen through one of four simple methods. These methods serve as anchors for the +5 Focus, guiding where and how to direct your energy.

1. Start Doing Something

Every great leader knows the value of action, but the right kind of action is key. To grow by 5%, what could you start doing today that will bring value to your business or team?

·       Schedule specific time to think strategically, journal, or meditate. Mental clarity leads to better decisions.

·       Create consistent outreach habits—whether sending handwritten notes, calling past clients, or checking in with leads. Meaningful touchpoints foster long-term relationships.

·       Experiment with new tools or software to streamline workflows. Even small efficiency gains can quickly add up to big savings.

2. Stop Doing Something

Sometimes, progress isn’t achieved by doing more but by eliminating habits or tasks that no longer serve you. What’s holding you back?

·       Spending endless hours in inefficient meetings? Stop the inefficiency by improving your team’s communication tools or implementing concise agendas with clear outcomes.

·       Stocking your day with distractions? Create a plan to cut out unnecessary digital clutter like endless emails or social media scrolling.

Freeing up time and attention allows leaders to focus on high-impact priorities.

3. Do More of Something

Reflect on what’s already working and aim to magnify those behaviours or strategies. Are you dedicating enough time to your strengths?

·       Make more cold calls or follow-ups if personal connections drive your sales.

·       Spend more one-on-one time mentoring your team. Leadership thrives on individual attention and    trust.

·       Double down on your most effective marketing strategies by increasing your investment in platforms that convert well. 

4. Do Less of Something

Success requires balance, which often means scaling back on low-value activities to focus on the work that truly matters.

      ·       Spend less time overthinking decisions and more time executing. Every action leads to momentum.

      ·       Simplify your workload by delegating unnecessary tasks to your team or outsourcing time-consuming            admin work.

       ·       Cut back on distractions like internet browsing or late-night email checks to boost your overall             productivity.

 Applying the ‘+5 Focus’ in Real Estate and Business Leadership

For real estate professionals and business leaders, the ‘+5 Focus’ isn’t just an idea—it’s a proven framework for creating change and growth.

For instance, imagine you’ve been struggling to grow your market share. Instead of focusing on complete domination, apply small, sustainable actions—like investing an extra 5% of your time each week in lead generation or allocating 5% more towards targeted ads.

Or consider how a +5 Focus might improve your leadership skills. Start spending 5% more time actively listening to your team’s ideas or offering constructive feedback in meetings. The added effort may seem small, but the impact on team cohesion, morale, and output will be substantial.

Why Focus Matters

The +5 Focus requires discipline, and patience. Focus can be tricky, after all—it relies on how we frame challenges and envision success. But when you believe that incremental improvement is both sustainable and achievable, progress tends to accelerate.

Each step gives you confidence. Each improvement propels you forward. Soon, your once-distant goals start to feel a bit closer, a bit more manageable.

Your Leadership Challenge

Are you ready to turn the +5 focus into a practical tool for growth? Ask yourself these questions to get started:

·       What’s one thing I can start doing today that will positively impact my team or business?

·       Is there a low-value habit or activity I can stop to make my schedule more efficient?

·       What’s one area where doing slightly more or slightly less could yield meaningful results?

By taking these small, intentional steps, you can create a compounding effect that drives growth, boosts your bottom line, and strengthens your leadership presence.

Remember—big wins almost always stem from small, consistent efforts.

Are you ready to take that first step today? A ‘+5 Focus’ could be your new competitive advantage.