How to Build the ‘Slight Edge’ of Your Personal Brand
Everything is compound interest. So, learn to turn simple daily disciplines into massive success.
Albert Einstein famously called compound interest the eighth wonder of the world. He said:
“He who understands it, earns it … he who doesn't … pays it.”
Jeff Olson’s The Slight Edge turns the power of this concept onto your development.
The Slight Edge champions the big impact of small actions.
Olson articulates ‘the slight edge’ as:
“Simple daily disciplines. Simple productive actions, repeated consistently over time.”
So, let’s discuss how the ‘Slight Edge’ mindset can supercharge your personal brand or business.
1. ‘Master the Mundane' of Your Personal Brand - Consistently
The Slight Edge proposes every day we have a choice to master the mundane. Doing the things that are easy to do - but, equally as easy not to do. An error in choice sends you closer to failure, and at first, goes unnoticed. A positive action sends you closer to success, and it also at first goes unnoticed.
Consistency in the marketplace, workplace or with your customers or audience sets expectations. It makes your personal brand or business recognisable for something over time. For example, do you commit to creating content online on the same day every week? Do you keep your promise to your audience?
When it comes to personal branding, consistency is key. It builds trust and trust builds loyalty.
2. ‘Cast a Vote’ Everyday
Every action you take casts a vote. No matter how insignificant it seems to the bigger picture, it shapes your future. Just like in a democracy, eventually, all the votes add up to a result.
Say you make time to read at least one page of a book a day. You’re likely casting a positive vote towards an up-skilled version of your future self. When you watch mindless TV, you’re likely voting in the other direction of that goal.
Do you miss messages, emails or comments, or diligently respond to all you can?
Do you lose your cool or keep your composure?
Do you choose a healthy snack or treat yourself?
However you vote, you’re neither right nor wrong. But, over time there is an accumulation of your votes.
Negative votes erode progress or could lead to undesirable results. Positive daily votes create momentum for positive results.
The choice is yours. But, you’re casting your votes daily for your personal brand. So, how are you voting?
3. Successful People do, and the Unsuccessful are Unwilling to
Your Slight Edge is stealthy.
Your actions, whether positive or negative, will at first seem to have no impact on your desired results. This is where unsuccessful people will skip taking positive actions consistently. Or, will simply give up altogether. Successful people don’t.
Successful people are the people who are willing to do the things unsuccessful people aren’t.
The successful people embrace the discomfort. For example, it didn’t matter that no one watched their videos to begin with. They are in it for the long haul.
Successful people sacrifice short-term rewards for long-term gain. They have a mindset resilient against a fear of failure. They even thrive on the opportunity to learn from setbacks. To continuously improve over time.
4. Question ‘Quantum Leaps’
Beware of comparisons to the ‘quantum leaps’ of others. It’s likely not the whole story.
There is no overnight success. Any overnight success you feel you witness is likely the result of hard work overtime. Skills developed in the long term.
While many want immediate success, this realisation actually takes the pressure off. So you can focus on tiny improvements, made consistently over time.
Each positive action directs you closer to success. It also goes unnoticed. Yet, it is the compounded energy that cultivates a quantum leap.
Consider the popular 1% rule which Olson highlights. It means mathematically a 1% improvement made every day leads to exponential growth. Over just one year, you could experience substantial growth towards your goal:
“It doesn’t “just suddenly happen”. An actual quantum leap is something that finally happens after a lengthy accumulation of slight-edge effort.”
5. Remember the Law of Averages
Mathematically, the Law of Averages is also on your side. Over time, the outcomes of your actions tend to reflect the averages of your efforts. Using statistical probability, a consistent action will lead to a predictable outcome.
So, stack the Law of Averages in your favour. Cast more positive votes for the person you want to be.
