One Percent Better

One Percent Better

President Quinn’s Weekly Message

California Santa Rosa Mission

June 24th, 2024

 We enjoyed a busy and inspiring five days last week during zone conferences. It was wonderful being with you. Thank you to those who prepared and delivered training, performed musical numbers, shared their testimony, and cleaned up the buildings.

The training last week from our zone leaders focused on diligence and urgency. Their training reminded me of a talk given in General Conference October 2021 by Elder Michael A. Dunn entitled, One Percent Better. In his talk, Elder Dunn shared the story of the Great Britian Cycling team becoming one of the most successful in the world:

“In 2003, Sir Dave Brailsford was hired. Unlike previous coaches who attempted dramatic, overnight turnarounds, Sir Brailsford instead committed to a strategy he referred to as “the aggregation of marginal gains.” This entailed implementing small improvements in everything.”

Elder Dunn went on to explain the focus of Brailsford’s efforts to achieve improvements:

“Brailsford’s small gains began with the obvious, such as equipment, kit fabrics, and training patterns. But his team didn’t stop there. They continued to find 1 percent improvements in overlooked and unexpected areas such as nutrition and even maintenance nuances. Over time, these myriads of micro-betterments aggregated into stunning results, which came faster than anyone could have imagined.“

We learned last in zone conference that finding eleven additional friends to teach each week across the mission will likely result in one more baptism per month. I extend an invitation for each companionship in CASRM to consider how you can incorporate the strategy of “the aggregation of marginal gains to find one more friend to teach each week. Please prayerfully, strategically, and carefully consider where you can make a one percent improvement in your finding, teaching, and inviting skills. Prayerfully consider the many finding methods Sister Quinn shared with us in zone conference. Under the direction of the Spirit, select and choose finding methods that will offer more opportunities for you to meet and find people to teach. Practice with your companion, as a district, and a zone to improve your skills.

I know that as we seek to improve, the Lord will magnify our efforts. Remember the promise Nephi has given us:

“And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.” (1 Nephi 16:29)

Please know of the love and confidence Sister Quinn and I have for each of you.

Love,

President Quinn

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