Why It Pays To Be The Best

Today, I want to share an idea that has the potential to shift how you think about success, competition, and growth. It's a concept I call The 95/4/1 Rule—and understanding it could unlock the next level of your career, business, or personal development.

When people ask what I do, I often tell them that I help someone in the top 100 get into the top 10—or someone in the top 10 become the best in the world.

My private sessions are a significant investment, but the rewards for reaching the top spots of my clients' industries are so substantial that the investment is often a no-brainer. These clients understand the 95/4/1 Rule and are willing to do what it takes to break through to the top ranks.

The 95/4/1 Rule is simple:

In any segment of people you look at, 95% struggle to get by, 4% do reasonably well, and the top 1% absolutely crush it.

Let's break it down.

The 95/4/1 Rule in Action

This rule plays out across industries, professions, and pursuits. Take sports, for example. Playing at the collegiate level in American football is already an elite accomplishment. However, of those players, only a tiny percentage make it to the pros, and an even smaller fraction secure the massive paydays we associate with NFL stars.

The same pattern exists in poker: Around 95% of players lose money, 4% break even or make modest gains, and 1% are profitable long-term. Breaking that down further, the principle repeats itself within the top 1%. Among profitable players, 95% earn just enough to make a passable living, 4% make solid incomes, and 1% dominate with life-changing earnings.

This dynamic even applies to more conventional professions like waiting tables. Most servers make modest incomes, but those who work in high-end restaurants in major cities can earn six figures. Similarly, the best pastry chefs in the world can pull in seven figures, while the people running your local cake shop often struggle to get by.

The lesson is clear: The rewards are disproportionately concentrated at the top.

What Separates the 1%?

The first key is recognizing that you cannot enter the 1% with a 95% mindset. When you hear advice that begins with "this is how everyone does it," your first instinct should be to question that advice. If most people struggle to get by, following the same advice is continuing down the path to mediocrity.

Often, the 1% aren't working dramatically harder than the 95%—but they are working smarter and focusing on what matters most. They've identified the high-leverage actions, strategies, and skills that set them apart. They question assumptions, break conventional patterns, and seek the most effective ways to succeed in their field.

Refine Your Segment

Another key to applying the 95/4/1 Rule is to shift your focus within your industry or segment. Becoming the best in the world doesn't mean competing with everyone everywhere—it means defining what "best in the world" looks like to you and finding a segment that aligns with your strengths and opportunities.

For example, you may love math but lack the innate IQ to become a top 1% mathematician. However, you could become the best at simplifying math for students and build a thriving tutoring business or YouTube channel. If you're in marketing, you could specialize in helping specific types of law practices dominate their local markets.

Success is often about narrowing your focus. You don't need to be the best mechanic in the world—just the best in your town or the best at working with a specific type of vehicle. You can achieve outsized rewards without competing at an overwhelming scale by zeroing in on a niche.

There is no universal definition of "best in the world." It's up to you to decide what it looks like in your context. Your definition may change as your skills and goals evolve, but a clear target allows you to direct your energy and resources effectively.

Action Steps For The Week

• Identify the 1% in Your Industry: Who are the top performers in your field? Study what they do differently. Look for strategies, habits, and mindsets that separate them from the rest.

• Question the Norms of the 95%: What are most people in your industry doing? Identify common behaviors or approaches that don't yield exceptional results—and consider how to break from that mold.

• Define Your Segment and Niche: What does being the best mean to you? Whether it's dominating a local market, specializing in a particular skill, or excelling within a specific niche, decide where you want to focus your efforts.

• Take High-Leverage Actions: Focus your energy on the actions that drive the most significant results. The 1% prioritize what matters most and execute with precision. The 95/4/1 Rule isn't just a description of how the world works—it's a roadmap for elevating yourself within it. What will you do this week to move closer to that top 1%?

See you next week,
Elliot Roe