Episode Summary: "How to Get 1% Better Without Burning Out" (SB1797)
Podcast: The Stacking Benjamins Show
Date: January 30, 2026
Host(s): Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, Paula Pant, Doug
Guest: David Gillis (Speaker coach, military veteran, founder of the 1% Better Conference)
Episode Overview
In this lively roundtable episode, Joe and OG are joined by Paula Pant (Afford Anything) and special guest David Gillis to discuss practical, sustainable ways to improve yourself—financially, professionally, and personally—by getting “1% better” each day. The conversation blends the classic Stacking Benjamins humor and banter with useful life strategies, as guests draw on their diverse backgrounds in finance, self-improvement, and coaching. Key themes include setting boundaries, channeling energy into growth, and avoiding burnout along the path to improvement.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The 1% Better Philosophy
- Definition: Small, continual improvements compound over time to create meaningful change.
- David Gillis describes his motivation for the upcoming 1% Better Conference:
“It’s about life related... What do you want to do in life and how do you want to get there?” (07:21)
- Themes Explored:
- Self-awareness as the foundation of improvement
- Creating supportive communities to foster growth
- Merging financial independence with broader life aspirations
2. Limiting Energy Drainers
- Paula Pant highlights digital distractions:
“The majority of my energy draining comes from various screen time activities... Social media is the big one.” (14:08)
- Strategy: Use tools (e.g., Freedom app) to block addictive apps and create friction to discourage mindless scrolling.
- OG extends this to relationships:
“You have to reevaluate with whom you spend your time... We all have relationships that have been around for a long time. It’s good and comfortable, but it’s not growing." (23:25)
- Practical Steps:
- Audit and minimize sources of fatigue (screen time, negative people, unprioritized commitments)
- Recognize the difference between time and money commitments when saying "yes"
3. Seeking Out Energy Enhancers
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Gillis introduces the “energy fire hose":
“There’s... the opposite [of energy vampires]. I would say energy, like, a fire hose in a good way... Find those things that kind of help you just move toward that better.” (17:17)
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Try New Things:
- Paula discusses her leap into stand-up comedy classes as a form of personal stretch (29:05)
- David shares his experiences with Toastmasters and improv to build confidence and communication
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Curate Your Circle:
- Seek out and learn from others doing “amazing things” across different fields (26:36)
4. Intentionality in Growth
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"Do Inner Work" (45:28)
- David emphasizes regular self-reflection and understanding personal blind spots.
- Paula focuses on the challenge and value of “silencing the chatter” and letting your mind go quiet (46:42).
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Build Systems for Rest & Creativity:
- OG: “You have to have had time off… in order to be creative in your role, I think that puts a little different spin on the time that you do spend not doing the thing you do for work.” (47:06)
- Citing studies: 15 minutes in nature supports mental health (50:36)
5. Strategies and Habits to Get 1% Better
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Limiting Draining Tasks:
- Use tech barriers, schedule social media windows (15:26), and recognize when saying “yes” leads to overcommitment.
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Journaling & Reading:
- Both are highlighted as habits to foster ongoing growth.
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Nutrition and Physical Well-being:
- Prioritize rest, outdoor time, and healthy food choices as the backbone of performance, not an afterthought (49:59).
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Experimentation and Identity:
- “Part of becoming 1% better is being that thing that you say you’re working at.” (32:14)
6. Books That Fuel Incremental Improvement
- David Gillis: Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke
- Paula Pant: 48 Laws of Power
“It illustrates the world, not as you want it to be, but the world as it is and helps you understand the way that people operate...” (54:49)
- OG: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, 1776 by David McCullough
- Joe: The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr & Tony Schwartz
“Don’t manage your time, manage your energy.” (60:17)
- Doug: Indestructible by John Brunning and a favorite Jimmy Carr quote:
“The thing you want is on the other side of the thing you don’t want to do.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On saying “no”:
“I think I am somebody who says yes too often... If your to-do list isn’t prioritized, you’re not leading it, it’s leading you.”
— David Gillis (18:12) -
On curating relationships:
“Cluster of misery. Actively stay away from people who are clusters of misery, as my coach calls them.”
— Joe (24:09) -
On creative challenges:
“To stand at a microphone and monologue… that is a completely different skill set.”
— Paula Pant (29:05) -
On “owning it”:
“Part of becoming 1% better is being that thing that you say you’re working at… I am a comedian.”
— Joe (32:14)
Important Timestamps
- Opening Banter & Episode Setup: 00:00–06:00
- Intro to 1% Better and Guest David Gillis: 06:00–09:00
- The Concept of Limiting Draining Activities: 12:14–19:11
- Impact of Social Media & Tech Barriers: 14:08–16:44
- Embracing New Experiences & Community: 26:36–30:49
- Comedy and Growth Stories: 29:05–32:14
- Intentional Self-Reflection: 45:28–46:42
- Rest, Rejuvenation & Nature: 47:06–50:36
- Book Recommendations: 53:06–58:18
- Closing and Conference Details: 63:59–65:23
Conclusion & Takeaways
- Focus on incremental progress: It’s the small, sustainable changes that lead to transformation, not heroic leaps.
- Energy management trumps time management: Seek to spend more time on what energizes you and less on what drains you.
- Curate your influences and environment: From your relationships to your routines, everything shapes who you become.
- Intentional inner work is vital: Self-reflection, quiet, and regular goal-setting keep you grounded and growing.
- Experiment and redefine identity: Step into the identity you’re pursuing—even before you completely feel ready.
- Bookend your journey with learning: Read widely and reflect often for continual improvement.
Related Links
For New Listeners
This episode is a great showcase of The Stacking Benjamins Show’s blend of humor, real-world wisdom, and personal finance smarts—proving growth doesn’t have to be grim, and that fun, functional improvement is possible one day (and 1%) at a time.