Here’s how you can apply the lessons from The Slight Edge.
If you haven’t read the book “The Slight Edge” by Jeff Olson, I recommend taking the time to sit down and read through it in its entirety. There are so many lessons you can pick up and apply that will improve your career as a financial advisor.
If you’d like a review and brief summary of the book, as well as some input on how you can apply its key ideas, check out the article below.
Who Is Jeff Olson?
Jeff Olson is a public speaker and entrepreneur who’s been inspiring individuals and businesses to achieve their goals. He founded the wellness brand Neora, and currently sits as its CEO. He also often speaks on topics of success and personal growth.
Overall, Jeff Olson is an influential and highly respected figure within the personal development and success industries, with his teachings having had a profound impact on countless individuals and businesses. There’s no doubt that his content and insights are credible.
What’s The Slight Edge About?
“The Slight Edge” is mainly a motivational and self-help book. It revolves around the power of consistent, small actions and how they can compound and lead to significant results over time.
In this book, Jeff opposes the popular notion that success comes from a one-time stroke of genius or luck. The alternative way of thinking that he proposes is that success is the result of consistent, deliberate effort over time. Moreover, he believes that success isn’t a destination; rather, it’s a journey that requires consistent effort and dedication.
Going back to the idea of small, consistent actions leading to success, Jeff argues that the things we do each day – no matter how insignificant they may seem – have a cumulative impact on our lives and businesses. For financial advisors, this means that success isn’t just about landing a big client or closing a big deal. Success encapsulates the small things you do every day to grow your business and build your brand.
Another key lesson of the book is that success isn’t about having all the answers but asking the right questions and taking consistent action. Jeff posits that success isn’t a result of talent or intelligence but of perseverance and discipline. As a financial advisor, you don’t need to be the best in the field right now. But you’ll slowly build a successful business by adopting a growth mindset and embracing challenges.
Overall, Jeff’s view of success is an empowering and refreshing perspective that challenges the traditional notions of what it takes to find success. By embracing the alternative notions that success is a journey and not a destination and that small, consistent actions lead to big results over time, financial advisors can cultivate the habits and mindset necessary to achieve their goals and build their brands.
How Is The Slight Edge Structured?
The book is broken down into two parts: the philosophy and the practices. In the philosophy section, the author talks about how success is a combination of our beliefs, thoughts, and habits. He explains how small, positive habits and beliefs can lead to positive results over time. Conversely, negative habits and beliefs lead to negative outcomes.
The philosophy section presents many inspiring stories and real-life examples that illustrate the power of the lessons presented in this book.
In the practices section, the author lays out practical tools and tips that will help you apply the lessons to your life and business. He gives sound advice on setting goals, developing habits, and overcoming obstacles. He also explains how to stay motivated and maintain focus.
The practices section is complete with actionable steps you can take right away to make positive changes in your life and business.
How Can Financial Advisors Apply Lessons From The Slight Edge?
Now, it’s time to discuss how financial advisors can apply the lessons from “The Slight Edge.”
As a financial advisor, your success largely depends on many small, consistent actions. For example, you need to prospect for new clients consistently, follow up with leads, stay up-to-date on the latest industry regulations and trends, and provide excellent customer service. By doing these things consistently and with focus, you’ll get closer to success for your business.
Small, Consistent Actions
As mentioned earlier, one of the critical messages of the book is that success isn’t about sudden breakthroughs but about small actions that lead to big results over time. For financial advisors, this would mean that the way you organize your business, reach out to clients, or learn new techniques can have a big impact on your success over time. Here are some practical tips to help you get started:
Start small and build gradually. Choose one new habit or action to put in place. Make sure it becomes a natural and consistent part of your routine before choosing to add more habits.
Keep a record of your progress. Keeping a record will help you see the impact of your small actions over time. It’ll also help keep you motivated and on track.
Celebrate your wins. Regardless of how small your wins may seem, take time to acknowledge and celebrate your progress. Doing so will keep your motivation high and allow you to power through difficult periods of time.
Positive Habits
Another important lesson from the book highlights the importance of positive habits. So, success isn’t just about what you do but what you do consistently. By establishing positive habits that you’ll stick with in the long run, you’ll build a strong foundation for your success as a financial advisor. If you’re having trouble sticking to good habits, consider the following tips:
Make a list. Start by making a list of positive habits that you want to establish. What actions or habits will positively impact your financial advisory business?
Create a routine. Establish a daily routine that includes your positive habits. This will make it easier for you to stay consistent.
Get accountability. Find a friend, coach, or mentor who can hold you accountable on your journey to sticking to positive habits.
Reward yourself. Reward yourself for making progress and for sticking to your new habits.
Specific and Clear Goals
The third key lesson from this book is the importance of setting clear and specific goals. The author, Jeff, argues that without a clear sense of what you wish to achieve, you won’t be able to know what actions to take and when to take them.
By setting specific, clear goals, financial advisors can focus on what’s important and avoid wasting energy and time on actions that don’t contribute to their success. Here are some practical tips you can implement as a financial advisor:
Start with the end in mind. Know what you want to achieve. Then, work backward to figure out what steps you need to take to get where you want to be.
Make your goals measurable. Making your goals measurable will help you track progress and determine when you’ve actually achieved your goals.
Break down your goals into smaller steps. Breaking down your goals will help you stay focused and motivated. It’ll also make it easier to track your progress in smaller increments.
Write down your goals. Writing down your goals will help you remember what you’re working to achieve.
Perseverance
Lastly, “The Slight Edge” highlights the importance of perseverance. The author argues that success is a journey that requires consistent effort and dedication.
For financial advisors, you’ll have to persevere by committing to your long-term personal and professional growth and being willing to persevere even when things get tough. Here are a few actionable tips you can apply to help yourself persevere and overcome challenges:
Embrace challenges. You’ll want to view challenges as opportunities for growth. Instead of viewing challenges as roadblocks, view them as chances to grow, learn, and improve.
Stay focused on your goals. Remember why you started, and keep your goals in mind. Doing so will keep you motivated even when things get difficult.
Stay positive. Focus on what you can control and what you can do, and let go of the things that are out of your control.
Celebrate your progress. Acknowledge and celebrate the progress you make.
Final Thoughts
To wrap up, the lessons from “The Slight Edge” by Jeff Olson provide valuable insights for financial advisors looking to grow their businesses. By embracing small, consistent actions; clear and specific goals; positive habits; and perseverance, financial advisors can develop the mindset and skills needed to achieve long-term growth and success. After all, the key to success isn’t a one-time stroke of genius; instead, it’s a commitment to taking small steps every day that lead to big results over time.
If you’re looking to take your business as a financial advisor to the next level, I highly recommend checking out “The Slight Edge” in its entirety. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been a financial advisor for years, you’re sure to pick up a new lesson or two from this book.
For more practical tips and advice on how to grow your business, check out the other articles on my blog. I cover a wide range of topics for financial advisors, from marketing and networking to personal development.
