The 1° Rule: The Tiny Shift That Transforms Your Health Over Time

There’s a principle in aviation called the “1 in 60 Rule.”

For every 1° you’re off course, you’ll end up one mile off your target after 60 miles.

It seems insignificant—one single degree. But stretched out over time and distance, that tiny shift becomes a major detour. Fly from New York thinking you’re headed to Tokyo, and if you’re just 1° off, you might end up in the Sea of Japan.

It’s a principle that’s been stuck in our heads lately.

Because the same thing happens in life.

In nutrition.
In movement.
In our overall health.

Most people aren’t failing—they’re just off by 1°.

At Elevate, we’ve coached enough people to know: most folks aren’t miles off course. They’re making a solid effort. They’re doing most of the right things.

But when you feel like you’re not making progress—despite trying—it might not be because you’re doing everything wrong. You could just be off by one degree.

And over time, that small misalignment compounds:

- One extra drink at night turns into sleep debt.

- A little slouch in form leads to nagging pain.

- Skipping one cooldown becomes chronic tightness.

- Just “eating less” becomes underfueling and fatigue.

The good news? A 1° correction works the same way in reverse. A tiny change—applied consistently—can completely shift your trajectory.

We’re not talking about overhauling your diet or turning your life upside down. We’re talking about adjusting your course just enough to realign with your goals. A five-minute warm-up. An extra glass of water. One more serving of protein. Ten minutes of stretching while watching Netflix. Choosing to go to bed instead of scrolling for one more episode. These are small actions that don’t feel life-changing in the moment—but that’s the point. You barely notice them. Until you do.

In the gym, these micro-adjustments are just as powerful. A slight tweak to technique—like better bracing in your deadlift, slowing down your squat to keep knees tracking, or pulling your ribs down during overhead movements—can dramatically reduce your risk of injury and unlock new levels of strength.

Most people don’t plateau because they’ve maxed out their potential. They plateau because they’ve ignored the small things. Reps still get done, but without intention. Movements look okay, but not great. And that’s where things start to drift. A minor issue today becomes a chronic issue six months from now.

That’s why we believe so deeply in coaching and feedback—not to overhaul your form or tell you everything you’re doing is wrong, but to help spot the 1° that needs adjusting.

The same goes for mindset. If your internal dialogue sounds like, “I should be doing more,” or “I’m not where I should be,” that’s another small shift with a big impact. Reframing that language to something like, “I’m building consistency,” or “I’m adjusting my course,” not only feels better, it helps you stay on it.

So if you’re putting in the effort but feeling stuck, consider this: maybe you’re not broken, or lazy, or unmotivated. Maybe you're just 1° off.

And if that's the case, then the answer isn’t some extreme fix. It’s subtle. Intentional. Consistent.

At Elevate, we help people find those adjustments. Sometimes it’s technique. Sometimes it’s routine. Sometimes it’s the way they talk to themselves. But the power is in the precision.

Small shifts. Big outcomes.

Let’s find your 1°.