About Marginal Gains
Most people aren’t short of good intentions. The problem is that most self-improvement advice asks too much – and when life gets in the way, even the best plans quietly fall apart.
This blog in built on a different idea: that small, specific improvements – applied consistently – compound into results that big overhauls rarely deliver.
About me
I’m Simon – a Chartered Psychologist with over 20 years of experience studying how people think, behave, and change. My background spans workplace behaviour change, psychometrics and coaching. I’ve taught and trained these ideas, which gave me a lot of practice translating psychological theory into its practical applications in the real world.
I kept noticing a gap between what the psychological research actually says about habits, focus, and performance, and what most mainstream self-improvement content serves up. This is my attempt to bridge that.
My Aim and Who This if For
I try to go beyond surface-level tips and explain why something works — because understanding the mechanism tends to make advice much easier to apply and adapt to your own situation. I try to be honest when the evidence is mixed or when something is genuinely hard, rather than packaging everything as a simple fix.
I often identify Quick Wins — specific things you can try today, without needing to overhaul your whole routine. The goal is always to make the first step as small and manageable as possible, to help you feel the benefits and gain momentum with as little friction as possible.
This blog is written for busy professionals who want practical, evidence-based ideas they can actually fit into their lives – without needing a psychology degree or a completely clear schedule.
If you’ve tried productivity systems before and found them hard to maintain, or if you’re a little sceptical of advice that sounds great in theory, but falls apart in a busy week – you’re exactly who I had in mind when writing this.
Ready to explore?
Pick one post that catches your eye. Try one of the Quick Wins dotted throughout, or check out one of the resources (usually at the end).