The Slight Edge: Why Tiny Choices Are the Secret Weapon of Successful People

Let's face it; everyone wants the six-pack abs, the million-dollar business, and the fluency in Mandarin they saw advertised between half-naked insta influencers and crypto bros selling you their "revolutionary" trading signals (spoiler alert: they're probably about as revolutionary as beige crocs).?

But here's the not-so-secret secret: those results rarely appear overnight. They come from the unsexy but undeniably powerful concept of the Slight Edge.

For the uninitiated ("The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson, folks), it's all about the small, consistent choices that lead to big results over time. Think of it as compound interest in your life; every little favourable decision adds up.

Now, before you roll your eyes and think this is some "think positive and attract wealth bullshit", hear me out.

This philosophy applies to every arena, and in my experience running a freelance events business, trading FX, and (freshly launched!) a freelance education company, the Slight Edge has been the backbone of any success I’ve ever had. A little bit of effort consistently over time, and before you know it, you've climbed a mountain you didn't think possible.?

Let's take the events business. Building a client base is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistently putting out high-quality work, even for smaller gigs that might pay less than a participation trophy at a participation-only award show, leads to referrals and repeat business.

It's the same in FX trading. Sticking to a disciplined strategy, even with minor adjustments, is far more effective than chasing the next hot stock tip peddled by some crusty basement-dwelling "guru" in his mom's Hawaiian shirt.

And in online education? Daily content creation, no matter how seemingly insignificant, positions you as an authority and attracts students. The Slight Edge isn't about grand gestures; it's about the small, steady drip, drip, drip that carves canyons over time. You have to be in it for the long term.?

So, maybe you're currently staring down a huge goal and feel paralysed by the enormity of it all. Welcome to the club!?

Here's the thing: Jeff Bezos didn't build Amazon in a day selling used paperbacks out of his garage (although that's a pretty cool origin story). He started small, focused on exceptional customer service, and relentlessly iterated based on customer feedback, not based on the ramblings of self-proclaimed "e-commerce experts" on Twitter. It took 9 years before Amazon even turned a profit, but he kept working away, constantly tweaking, constantly showing up every day, and consistently executing on his slight edge.?

Oprah Winfrey wasn't handed a talk show on a silver platter. She honed her craft in local news for years before landing the national gig, proving that even the most captivating talk show host needs to develop her skills before she can become a billionaire philanthropist with a penchant for giving away cars (though that part is undeniably entertaining).

The Slight Edge is about taking that first, seemingly insignificant step. Here's how to put it into practice:

• Break down your goal into bite-sized chunks.?Want to write a novel? Commit to 500 words a day, not the entire manuscript, by next Tuesday (unless your goal is to write a grocery list disguised as a fantasy epic).
• Focus on daily disciplines.?Schedule those writing sessions, even if it's just for 20 minutes before work. Consistency trumps sporadic bursts of effort, even if those bursts involve all-nighters fueled by questionable dietary choices.
• Track your progress.?Seeing that upward trajectory is a powerful motivator, no matter how small. Plus, keeping a record helps you shut down the inevitable gremlins in your head, whispering sweet nothings about how you'll never achieve your goals.
• Embrace the small wins.?Celebrate those milestones, big or small. Finished a chapter? Treat yourself to a decent cup of coffee or something small to mark the win.?

The Slight Edge isn't a magic bullet but the foundation upon which empires are built. It's the difference between the dreamer who quits after a week and the entrepreneur who carves a path to success, one small decision at a time.

So, ditch the get-rich-quick schemes and embrace the power of the tiny, consistent nudge. You might be surprised at where it takes you. And hey, if it all goes south, at least you can say you gave it a shot without looking like a complete fool who fell for the latest internet hustle.

Ever dreamt of being your own boss, setting your own hours, or working from anywhere in the world? Some are drawn to the freedom and flexibility of freelancing, but are afraid to take the risk. I wrote an eBook for this reason, it’s called “The Freelancing Revolution: Unleash Your Inner Entrepreneur and Embrace the Future of Work”.

You can download it here, completely FREE:?https://mailchi.mp/afccaff52a96/the-freelancing-revolution-ebook?