The Simple Steps to Multiply Your Success

Successful people have mastered a philosophy that gives them a slight edge over the competition. One of my favourite books is Jeff Olsen's book 'The Slight Edge'. One of the most important thing that I gained from this book is the insight that the actions that lead to success are simple - anyone could do them. But not everyone does, because these actions are just as easy not to do as they are to do and success is created by doing these simple actions again and again. These actions add up over time and produce huge success. I want to summarise the insights I got from the book and share it with you.

Crucial Actions Are Easy to Do, and Easy Not to Do

This is so important - the actions that deliver great success work according to the law of compound interest - consistent application over a period of time delivers exponential growth.

If you invest a little every day, your rewards will multiply. If you skip these actions because they make you uncomfortable, the disadvantages will multiply as well.

Winners know that diligent and daily practice of a few simple tasks will result in disproportionately high rewards in due time. 

Identifying these actions can be tricky. It can be tempting to think of them as unimportant or to skip them. Let me give you an example.

In my practice as a Consultant Radiologist, I started making small changes to the way I reported studies. I realised there were some phrases I repeated many times a day to express a finding. How much time could I save by making one of those phrases a voice dictation shortcut ? Perhaps only 2 seconds - so easy to think it's 'not worth the hassle'. But what about 2 seconds every 15 minutes over a reporting lifetime of about 30 years? That adds up to nearly 48 hours (2 full days)! How much time could I save by coming up with more productivity hacks?

Start with a Penny

You can only start with the resources and talents that you have. It would be impossible to run a marathon right off the bat after a lifetime of couch-surfing. There is no substitute for hard work. This hard work could start with a simple practice that you can repeat daily. This will form a habit that leads to success. Unfortunately, there are habits that lead to failure as well. If we’re not on our guards, we’ll invest our pennies everyday in these failure sink-holes and never realise it till they suck us right to the bottom.

Identify one thing you can do today to get you one step closer to your goal.

As Confucius once said, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Approach Every Challenge with an Attitude of Mastery

Take on every challenge with the curiosity and determination of a baby learning to walk. Accept that failure is a key part of the process.

Here are some insights which I have applied to every venture I've started for myself.

?? Get Started

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. You don't know if something will work unless you've given it a chance.

?? Do It Again and Again

How do you eat an elephant ? One piece at a time !

?? Settle in for the Long Haul

It takes patience to wait for something to succeed. I recently started a personal development and coaching program called the Coaching Circle with medical professionals in mind. I now realise that together with my team of excellent coaches we have created one of the best (if not the best) group coaching programs in the world for medical professionals.

?? Massive Action x Right Stuff x Consistently = Results

Andy Gwynn, a good friend of mine, wrote in a post recently 'Massive Action x Right Stuff x Consistently = Results'

If any of those components are missing the result is ZERO. I am very good at taking massive action and also doing the 'right stuff' but if I am not consistent, then your efforts do not pay off.

?? Be a completer finisher

Learn to complete things (or at least find people to help you with this if this is not exactly your personality type)- every unfinished task is a psychological shackle holding you back. Every promise you keep gives you strength and confidence in yourself.

 ?? Life-Long Learning & How to Learn

Life-long learning and personal development will keep the tools in your box sharp to tackle any challenges life throws your way. There are various paths to learning. I learn from studying (read books, listen to podcasts, attend technical seminars), from practicing regularly and from modelling (watching people who work in the way I'd like to, studying them and figuring out why they succeed and why they fail).

If you'd like more content like this, visit and sign up at the coaching circle. Our experienced coaches will help you apply this content to your life. You'll be amazed at the things you're capable of.