The Power of Doing the Unremarkable Well

Today’s Theme:

The things that separate the best from the rest rarely look impressive from the outside. They’re often simple, even boring. But done with precision, over and over, those basics build trust (in yourself and from others) and give you the foundation to execute when it matters most.

So today we’re discussing the power of doing the unremarkable with remarkable consistency and how mastering the fundamentals fosters trust and enables better execution.

30 Years. Zero Lost Bags.

Kansai International Airport opened in 1994. Since then, they’ve handled millions of suitcases and have never lost a single one.

That streak is staggering. For perspective, U.S. airlines mishandle roughly two to three bags per thousand passengers every year, which results in hundreds of thousands of lost or delayed suitcases. Kansai? Zero in three decades.

So what’s their secret? Simplicity. It’s not futuristic AI or high-tech magic. It’s fundamental tasks done with precision and teamwork.

Here’s how their system works:

• Every bag is counted twice. Before it goes on the plane and after it comes out.

• If the count is off, everything stops. The entire cargo hold is re-checked until it matches.

• Every suitcase is placed handle-first on the carousel. Now this detail isn’t required, but they do it because they know it makes it easier to retrieve for passengers.

In other words, there’s no profound secrets in their system. It’s simply a system built on clarity and performed with discipline. And it’s worked flawlessly for over three decades.

First Principles Over Fads

The irony is that people chase secrets, hacks, and shortcuts, then feel let down when they realize excellence is usually built on something far less glamorous. It’s the obvious things (e.g. fundamentals) done with intentionality and consistency that yield sustainable high performance. Kansai International Airport is a great example.

Their streak is rooted in first-principles thinking: Stripping the problem down, identifying what’s essential for producing results, then building everything around those core principles.

The trap many performers fall into is chasing novelty, whereby they’re always searching for the next hack, the next tool, the next optimization. In today’s world, we’re fixated on fine-tuning the periphery while neglecting the core. But optimizing the edges doesn’t matter if the foundation is weak.

Kansai resisted that temptation. Instead of over-engineering baggage handling, they anchored everything to the fundamentals that reliably produce results: Accuracy, verification, and care. By protecting the foundation, they built a system strong enough to sustain perfection over decades.

It may not sound exciting, but that’s exactly the point. Excellence isn’t found in chasing the next shiny tactic. It’s found in doing the obvious things with relentless discipline.

Ray Allen, one of the NBA’s all-time great shooters, put it bluntly: “The secret is there is no secret. It’s just boring old habits.”

Simple Systems for High Performers

If you want Kansai-like reliability in your performance, start by designing your own simple systems. Here are some you might try:

• The 2-Minute Rule — If something takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This system reduces procrastination and clears mental clutter.

• “Eat the Frog” — The idea comes from a line attributed to Mark Twain: “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning.” In other words, tackle your most important or challenging task early in the day before your energy and focus drain away.

• Accountability Partner — A workout partner can become part of your system to help with holding you accountable and making consistency easier.

• Night-Before Prep — Lay out your clothes, write your to-do list, or prep your gear the night before. Eliminate friction so you start with momentum.

These systems are simple. None require talent. But over time, they create confidence because you know you’ll follow through, no matter how you feel that day.

Even Tom Brady, one of the most accomplished athletes in history, has said the secret isn’t about being special. It’s about showing up with relentless discipline. As he put it:

Final Thoughts:

When you build simple systems anchored to what matters most, you stop relying on willpower, luck, or heroics. Simple systems, relentlessly executed, create extraordinary results.

Inspiration for This Piece:

• https://fs.blog/first-principles/

• https://www.npr.org/2024/05/24/nx-s1-4951240/this-japanese-airport-hasnt-lost-luggage-in-three-decades

The Threshold Lab:

Here’s a quick rundown of last week’s episodes on The Threshold Lab Podacst.

• Why the Descent Can Be More Dangerous Than the Climb (5 min)

• Stop Running Marathons In Your Mind (6 min)

• The Power of Naming Your Fears (7 min)

• What I Wish You Knew… (4 min)

• Interview with Molly Miller, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Arizona State University (51 min)

You can listen to all past episodes here: The Threshold Lab Podcast.

With gratitude,

ZB