Give Yourself the Slight Edge

How to turn simple daily disciplines into habits that will bring you success in work and life - using principles from Jeff Olson's book, The Slight Edge.

1. Give yourself the slight edge: turn simple daily disciplines into habits that will bring you success in work and life Janet Crum , [email protected] Kathleen Schmand , [email protected] Cline Library

2. What is the slight edge? A self-help book A philosophy – big success comes from little steps taken repeatedly–over time The Slight Edge helps to identify ways to make change easy, no matter where you found the idea or what you want to change 2

3. Why the Slight Edge? 3

4. Key principle #1: Do the thing, and you shall have the power (Emerson) You already know how to do everything you need to do—you just have to keep doing them. Simple, seemingly insignificant things lead to simple daily disciplines. “Successful people actually do them.” Responsibility vs. blame: you have the power.

5. Key principle #2: Your philosophy is the secret ingredient Change the way you think about simple, everyday things. Happiness comes first. Positive philosophy -> positive attitude -> positive actions -> positive results -> positive life Focus on the future pulls you up; focus on the past pulls you down. “Would you rather be influenced by something you can’t change, or by something you can?” (p. 150)

6. Key principle #3: The slight edge, not the big break Simple, small actions repeated consistently over time, change doesn’t happen quickly. Form habits that feed success rather than failure. Where we are right now is the sum of our choices up to now. All about living in the moment – what can I choose to do RIGHT NOW that will move me forward? “Life is not a lottery” and “success is not a random accident” (p.32)

7. Key principle #4: The slight edge is already working in your life No one can stand still – either moving toward or away from your goals with every decision you make. Your life path is a curve, not a straight line – and it’s always “curving either upward or downward” (p.142) Simple, productive actions repeated over time – or simple errors in judgment repeated over time – become habits, and their effect is compounded. We live most of our lives on autopilot, so train your autopilot to take you in the direction you want to go.

8. So why doesn’t everyone succeed? Slight edge actions are easy to do – but just as easy not to do. Slight edge actions seem insignificant – their power is multiplied by time. The results are invisible at the time – consequences are too far in the future and people give up. The slight edge is boring – no big break, no dramatic change, no glamor, no immediate positive reinforcement

9. So How Do I Start? Set goals and commit to slight edge actions. Write them down. Tell others about them. We’ll do that right here today . Make a plan for where to start. No need for a detailed strategic plan for the rest of your life—just a plan to get started. We’ll do that right here today. Find mentors and surround yourself with positive people who have similar goals . Look around the room. We’ll help you connect with each other – right here today . Let’s do this!

10. Goal Setting Exercise

11. Let’s set some goals!

12. Step 1: Choose an area Health : exercise for 15 minutes a day (or walk n steps or…). Happiness : write down 3 things you’re grateful for each day. Relationships : carve out a time or designate an activity to spend with someone. Personal development : read 10 pages of a useful, inspiring book every day. Career : spend 15 minutes a day reading something related to your work or learning a new concept or technology; reach out to one member of your professional network each day to maintain contact (LinkedIn can make this one easier). Positive impact on the world : say something kind to someone every day.

13. Step 2: Make a plan Let’s make a simple plan for how to get started. The first step is writing it down. Only choose one area you want to focus on for this task. Be: Specific in describing your goal, identify a timeline for achieving it. Find: A group that is working on a similar goal area. Identify: One simple daily discipline that will help get you to the goal.

14. Step 3: Find s upport Move to the area of the room designated for the topic you selected. Introduce yourself to the others in the group. Share with the group: Your goal Why you chose it The simple daily discipline you will start practicing How you plan to start

15. What Happens Next? It is all up to you now: Show up. Be consistent. Have a positive outlook. Be committed. Keep it simple.

16. Connect on LinkedIn Practicing the Slight Edge: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8534690

17. QUESTIONS?