The 'One Simple Rule' Principle: Using Clear Constraints to Unlock Performance

When the Safari browser team at Apple was tasked to make their new project lightning-fast, their lead didn’t drown them in a list of demands. Instead, he imposed a single cranky rule: 'No code change can make the browser slower.' At first, team members complained that this seemed impractical—they needed to fix bugs and add features, right? But day after day, as every tweak, update, or feature addition was tested for speed, anything that made performance drop—even a little—was rejected or forced to pay its way by offsetting with improvements elsewhere. The team’s entire culture reshaped itself around speed, and over months, their browser jumped ahead by measurable, marketable margins. It wasn’t motivation posters or endless brainstorming that unlocked results, but a relentless daily discipline built on one unbreakable rule.

Start by figuring out the top priority for your team or yourself. Write down a simple, powerful rule that supports this target, post it somewhere visible, and use it as the check for every important decision you make. Stop excusing gray areas—either the choice supports the priority or it doesn’t, and you need to adapt accordingly. The focus will drive out distractions and create performance you didn’t realize was possible. Set your rule tonight and stick to it for a week—you’ll see a difference.