I recently conducted an inaugural webinar on my habit formation and deepening framework – the PEP (presence, emotion and prosperity) framework. One of the key concepts that found resonance with the webinar participants was that of multipliers – specifically zero multipliers. The presentation I was leaning on to explain and share my framework did not have anything on multipliers – I had mentioned them in passing. While this share is not intended to be the deepest of dives into the space, I thought it could be quite helpful (for me as well as anyone reading this) to explore fully, the concept of multipliers. James Clear, the late Charlie Munger, Ray Dalio, Peter Drucker and BJ Fogg allude to the idea of removing negative habits first before you can stack on good ones. First – a bit of math (don’t run away!). One can think of self-development as following this formula:
Overall Progress = Habit 1 × Habit 2 × Habit 3 × … × Habit n,
where each habit is expressed as a multiplier to/for other habits. The implications of the formula are clear but bear surfacing and sharing.
- If even one habit is ×0 → Total output = 0
- If all are ×0.5 → You move slowly,
- If some are ×1.5 and others ×0.7 → You’re in a tug-of-war,
- If several are ×2+ → You start to flywheel your growth.
To me this is a powerful realization that indicates clearly that what we do and how consistently we do it, can have stark implications (positive or negative) to our lives. It is instructive to get a sense of examples of these different multipliers.
All these multipliers are interesting, however, the one that has always been what I have tried for, is the exponential multiplier. When this multiplier is in full swing, the emergent results look and feel like magic. Let me not let my excitosis about exponentiality make me jump ahead. In this note I intend to delve deeper into zero multipliers – in line with what the webinar participants were interested in.
Zero Multipliers.
As stated previously, zero multipliers cancel all progress, no matter the strength and positivity of other habits. The mathematical representation adding a practical example, looks as follows:
(Healthy eating) × (Exercise) × (Sleep) × (Zero multiplier like chronic stress) = 0
If one zooms in on the different examples that can typify zero multipliers in different domains, it quickly becomes clear that not only are zero multipliers all around us, but they are also innocuous and sneaky. Even our own brain can sometimes convince us that engaging in zero multiplier habits, is harmless and that they can be easily managed or even stopped. I am sure some of these, look familiar:
Libraries are replete with great books by great authors, each with their own way of saying, put the bad habits down first before you can stack the good ones. Peter Drucker in The Effective Executive says: “Slough off what does not work.” In essence he is saying, eliminate ineffectiveness before adding more effort. Ray Dalio in Principles shares a radical truth: track and fix blind spots or errors (zero multipliers in decision-making). BJ Fogg in Tiny Habits indicates that tiny wins only work if the environment is not toxified by big negatives. My all-time favourite comes from the late straight-talking Charlie Munger when talking about the Inversion mental model and avoiding stupidity: “It’s remarkable how much long-term advantage people like us have gotten by trying to be consistently not stupid.”
So how do we help ourselves remove that which creates a hamster wheel effect thereby erasing or reducing our efforts? Frameworks may have an answer. James Clear in Atomic Habits says, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Below I share two frameworks; one that helps identify zero multipliers and another that helps us intentionally, incrementally and deliberately move ourselves away from zero multipliers towards exponentiality.
The C.A.N.C.E.L framework.
This framework looks to guide you into a position of reflection and self-awareness so that you can identify your zero multipliers. It requires complete vulnerability and empathy with yourself. It will likely feel uncomfortable and if it does – it means it is working. Afterall, growth occurs at the bleeding edge of pain.
Once you have identified that which hinders your long-term growth, I would insist you get on the Zero to Hero Ladder. What is the Zero to Hero Ladder you ask? Check this out:
The Zero to Hero Ladder:
Following the steps above is almost like a Mortal Kombat cheat code towards elevating and balancing ourselves and the lives we end up living.
Our own PEP framework, benefits from the insights generated by our investigation of these multipliers. It is our sense that the momentum of moving from negative multipliers to exponential multipliers within our framework could look as follows:
Conclusion:
Intentional, productive progress in one’s life truly depends on the effort one puts into the life. Our effort as humans is finite. Frameworks that help us optimize the outputs we get out of our efforts, improve the odds of us living the lives we prefer for ourselves. Our individual journeys as humans have the same destination. Death. In the space between birth and death, lives our chance at experiencing the wonder and splendour of being alive. It may be helpful to balance our destination-focused thinking with the emergent surprise of who we become while we journey to our grave. Afterall, what we find, changes who we become.
