Book Review: The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson

There are some books that everybody should read. Obviously the Bible tops the list. But every once in a while there comes a book that just makes sense for all of us. When one ponders why some people just seem to have it all in, seemingly, every area of their lives the question as to why arises. Jesus taught the principle of going the extra mile, particularly with our adversaries. What a thought to apply to our lives! But going the extra mile is a great concept that does not have to be relegated to adversaries alone.

In The Slight Edge Colson affirms the notion that 95% of people live lives of mediocrity or worse, failure. Most people never realize their dreams or their full potential. Olson acknowledges that the difference between the few who realize their dreams and goals and those who do not is a small little difference; a slight edge. This slight edge is merely doing the things that are uncomfortable now, so you don't have to do them later. Most people run from struggle or challenge. But those with a success mentality welcome it and actually affirm that challenges are simply a part of life. They don't fear them, they embrace them. Successful people face the challenge head on rather than cower in fear from them. Most people do the easy thing, flee. But successful people do that which is, in reality, equally easy; face the challenges and conquer them.



We live in a world of instant gratification. Everything is seemingly available to us now. So the concept of working consistently toward a goal over the long haul seems uninspiring for many, if not most, people. The concept of planting, cultivating, and then harvesting is well understood among farmers. And at one time in the culture this was a concept one understood as it relates to any goal. You first plant, then you cultivate, and eventually you harvest. With any goal or dream the planting stage involves doing the initial work to move in the right direction. After this the cultivation stage begins. This involves weeding (reassessing/re-focusing/evaluating/re-tooling) and watering. After the cultivation stage then comes the harvest. Successful people understand this while most people in our instant gratification world think they can jump from planting to the harvest; avoiding the necessary work of cultivation altogether.

Earl Nightingale reminded us that success is "the progressive realization of a worthy ideal." Progress takes time, energy, and effort. Successful endeavors oftentimes involve doing the uncomfortable things now so you don't have to do them later. Olson reminded us that if we take the easy road now and avoid the uncomfortable things then our present ease will eventually give way to discomfort later in life. Successful people simply invert the process and do the uncomfortable things now. This is why they enjoy happier, more successful lives.
This is a great book.
All the best!

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