philomath (/ˈfɪləmæθ/) :
a lover of learning and studying.

The Slight Edge by Jeff Olsen




The Slight Edge is a way of thinking, a way of processing information that enables you to make the daily choices that will lead you to the success and happiness you desire.





Learn why some people make dream after dream come true, while others just continue dreaming and spend their lives building dreams for someone else. It's not just another self-help motivation tool of methods you must learn in order to travel the path to success.






It shows you how to create powerful results from the simple daily activities of your life, by using tools that are already within you.In this 8th anniversary edition you'll read not only the life-changing concepts of the original book, but also learn what author Jeff Olson discovered as he continued along the slight edge path: the Secret to Happiness and the Ripple Effect.







This edition of The Slight Edge isn't just the story, but also how the story continues to create life-altering dynamics—how a way of thinking, a way of processing information, can impact daily choices that will lead you to the success and happiness you desire. The Slight Edge is "the key" that will make all the other how-to books and self-help information that you read, watch and hear actually work.

Click here to download The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson

Praise from readers of The Slight Edge



As an instructor of a management course in a master’s program at NYU, i made The Slight Edge required reading. it serves as the foundation for all other course content because i believe the philosophy is key to understanding success.
— David G Rosenthal, Advisory Board Member, Member Curriculum Committee;
Adjunct Instructor; Chief Executive Officer, Shepard Communications Group, Inc.




The Slight Edge is the book that makes every other personal-development book actually work. This is the REAl secret!
—Jesse Macpherson, Los Angeles, CA






The Slight Edge was the single most formative infl uence on my career, health and happiness. i have gone back and read it over and over so many times that my copy is in complete tatters.
—Reed Herreid, Minneapolis, MN







The Slight Edge freed me from the pressure i had put on myself for not maintaining the progress i made. For instance, all the years spent trying to lose weight and maintain. it was always a roller coaster, up and down, never any stability. But along came The Slight Edge. This put everything in perspective. i can go after anything and know that without a doubt i will be successful, because of The Slight Edge.
—Jimmy Williams, Austin, TX








A unique view on how small changes or actions done repeatedly can change your personal, family and business life. An amazing and simple strategy anyone can apply, if they are willing.
—Pierre Rattini, North Myrtle Beach, SC









I had read self-help books before and they did very little for me, so at first I didn’t think this book would be much different. i was very wrong. This book has given me the power of wanting to have some failure in my life, and made me see the point behind the one penny. Before reading this book, i thought being average and unhealthy and overweight was just the life i was meant to live. i was very wrong. This book moved me in ways i never thought i could be. i wish i would have had it when i was 17.
—Tyra Snider, Canon City, CO








It has created a sense of calm and peace for us, knowing we are on this Slight Edge journey to greatness. The Slight Edge has taught us the principle to be patient with ourselves, to look toward improving 1 percent at a time. it has taught us that positive and negative results don’t happen overnight, but are cultivated through simple daily disciplines.
— Haas & Tahera Khaku, Anaheim Hills, CA, co-author, Power of Mentorship for the 21st Century










The Slight Edge is the best personal-development book i have ever read.
—Michael Clouse, Seattle, WA This book is a treasure and i use it in every aspect of my life—business, personal, and fun!
—Shenna Shotwell, Creedmoor, NC The Slight Edge is a life philosophy that should be taught as soon as children take their fi rst steps. I wish someone had taught me this when I was young.
—Jane Lehman, Lexington, MI














I use this philosophy throughout my day. i’ve become a better person all around. i was able to correct my negative outlooks. i’m a better role model for my children, my health is getting better, i’m more connected spiritually, my relationships are improving, and my business is thriving. it is a must-have and a must-read.
—Pedro Garcia, Middletown, NY













I, like many people, get frustrated when i do not see quick results. Through the Slight Edge mentality, i was able to lose 25 pounds in just under three months. i also convinced my father, 69, who lost 20 pounds in less than three months. My father and i are both testimony to the fact that The Slight Edge works!
—Christopher Mangano, Boynton Beach, FL













I find the book to be one of the best “diet books” I have ever read, and I have read quite a few of them through the last few years. So it is not willpower that is helping me to lose weight, it is The Slight Edge. What an amazing revelation this has been!
—Carol Chandler, Denver, CO













Before i read The Slight Edge, i never understood why my efforts seemed to be a degree off. The Slight Edge showed me how to get that last edge i needed!
—Lynda Cromar, Aurora, CO














The Slight Edge has had a profound effect on my life. After having it recommended four different times from four different people in one month, I fi nally purchased it. It was the first nonfiction book that I can remember not wanting to get to the end of, because i loved what i was learning!
—Laura Jo Richins, Mesa, AZ


















I was born and raised in Albania. i came to America 13 years ago at age 18 by myself, with nothing but a dream. I didn’t speak English, and had no money or connections. I am a college dropout and a former pizza delivery driver.
A friend gave me The Slight Edge book and by implementing its simple principles, i am today living the American Dream.
—Andi Duli, Oklahoma City, OK

The Slight Edge is truly a gift to the planet.
—Mark Skovron, Tampa Bay, FL















I was bankrupt, had my car repossessed, and was on Medicaid and applying for food stamps. After putting the principles of The Slight Edge in place, i have made over a million dollars and it has also helped me in every area of my life.
—Darin Kidd, Appomattox, VA












Reading The Slight Edge is perhaps one of the most eye-opening things one can do. it’s such a simple concept that you realize you’ve overlooked every day of your life. Easy to do, easy not to do. Suddenly it’s shocking how many things you really haven’t been doing. The examples Jeff Olson provides are easy to understand and truly show how The Slight Edge affects the world.
—Julie Jonak, Houston, TX















I have read numerous personal-development books through the years, and by far, this is one of the best! By applying the principles of The Slight Edge, i’ve lost 35 pounds in just three months, and am still going strong. i’m also working them into my job, part-time pursuits and every area of my life. i have quit focusing as much on the goals, and am focusing more on the little things i do every day, since i can control those. As a result, my life is going SO much better than it ever has!
—Richard Green, Franklin, TN

Nice thread. You are my favorite scholar on UpGhana

MartinNPP: Nice thread. You are my favorite scholar on UpGhana

Thanks.
If You have any Books you would like to read, just request it and i will search for it and post it.

The Slight Edge Summary

Our philosophies shape our attitudes, actions and results, which in turn shape our lives. The Slight Edge is a philosophy; it represents a way of thinking: what we know, how we hold that knowledge, and what we do.

The secret ingredient is straightforward: to do the small things over and over again until success kicks in. Most of these small things are extremely easy to do – such as choosing between a salad or a packet of French fries, saving a penny or spending a penny. Yet, compounded over time, they can produce massive results.

“Consistently repeated daily actions + time = unconquerable results”



A penny, doubled every day, will grow to over 5 million ($5,368,709.12) in just one month. If you improved in an area by just 1% a day, you would have improved by 365% in 1 year.



With each passing minute and each new choice that we make, the Slight Edge is at work – either for us or against us. Once you embrace this philosophy, you will know that if you do something long enough, you will get the results you want.
But, if you make the small errors of judgement long enough, you will also suffer the consequences.



If it’s so simple, why doesn’t everyone do it?

Unfortunately:

• Things that are easy to do are just as easy not to do. Precisely because they are small decisions and actions, it won’t kill us immediately if we don’t do them today.

• For the slight edge to work, you have to do something, and keep doing it until you succeed. You need to follow the Plant-Cultivate-Harvest cycle. However, many people either expect something from nothing, or they want to go directly from plant to harvest.


• The results are not immediately visible. The small activities are undramatic and seemingly insignificant. In a society that tends to worship breakthroughs and quantum leaps, it’s easy to give up or stop doing the small actions required to deliver results.


Two Life Paths

It has been scientifically established that space is curved. There are no such things as straight lines – everything, including your life, is curved. Your daily choices determine which curve you are on. If you are making the right choices every day, your life curve is on the upper half (which only 5% of people are on). If you are making simple errors in judgement daily, you are on the lower curve (where the majority of people are).



The Slight Edge is constantly at work; once you make a firm decision to step onto the upper curve and consistently apply the 7 Slight Edge principles, you can turn any area of your life around in a few years. In fact, genuine success in any one area of your life tends to spread to other areas.


Mastering your Life

In the book, Olsen outlines several powerful ideas to help us embark on the road to mastery. Here’s an overview (do get more details from our full summary):

• Closing the Gap: What it means to leverage the natural tension between Point A (where we are) and Point B (where we could be).

• Harnessing the 5 Sources of Power: How to harness the 5 natural sources of power, including Momentum, Completion, Habit, Reflection and Celebration.



• Focusing on Philosophy, not Results. Why we should not focus on results (which = focusing on the past).

• Continuous Learning. How to develop yourself continuously as a key element of the Slight Edge philosophy.

• Turning your Dreams into Reality. How to set goals with 4 foundational steps [more details in the our complete summary].

Living the Slight Edge

Olsen also takes us through 5 key areas of our lives, including health, personal development, relationships, finances, and life in general. For each of these areas, list down the following:
• My dreams for this area (be specific, vivid, with a deadline)
• Price to pay
• Plan to Start
• One simple daily discipline

To get started, simply start by doing one daily discipline in each of these 5 areas. Review these factors daily, model successful people, and spend quality time with people who have achieved similar goals and dreams.

The most powerful part of The Slight Edge is the simplicity and practicality of the philosophy. Olsen summarizes many big ideas we may already know, and shows how to apply them in simple, daily steps. The book is sobering yet uplifting at the same time, because it presents so clearly how we can shape our lives, there’s no longer any excuse not to.

Olsen shares many relatable stories and examples to help us understand the concepts in the book, including his own story – how he went from a beach 6um to owning the 5th largest solar-air energy company in America, to losing everything and rebuilding from scratch again. Throughout the book, there are also numerous notes from people who shared how they have applied the Slight Edge in their lives.

Source

Atomic Habits by James Clear

a·tom·ic
əˈtämik
1. an extremely small amount of a thing; the single irreducible unit of a larger system.



2. the source of immense energy or power.
hab·it
ˈhabət
1. a routine or practice performed regularly; an automatic
response to a specific situation.



No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving—every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.




If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change.



You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.




Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible.




Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.



Learn how to:
- Make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);
- Overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;
- Design your environment to make success easier;
- Get back on track when you fall off course;
...and much more.




Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits--whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.




Click to Download: Atomic Habits by James Clear

To know more about James Clear and His grounbreaking work you can visit him at
James Clear.com

saintbillion:

Nice thread bro. You're doing a lovely job here.

Thanks a lot.
There are still more exciting future projects coming up.

Summary Of Atomic Habits

The Book in Three Sentences

1. An atomic habit is a regular practice or routine
that is not only small and easy to do but is also
the source of incredible power; a component of
the system of compound growth.

2. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again
not because you don’t want to change, but
because you have the wrong system for change.

3. Changes that seem small and unimportant at
first will compound into remarkable results if
you’re willing to stick with them for years.

The Five Big Ideas

1. Habits are the compound interest of self-
improvement.

2. If you want better results, then forget about setting goals. Focus on your system instead.

3. The most effective way to change your habits is
to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on
who you wish to become.

4. The Four Laws of Behavior Change are a simple set of rules we can use to build better habits.
They are:
(1) make it obvious,
(2) make it attractive,
(3) make it easy, and
(4) make it satisfying.

5. Environment is the invisible hand that shapes
human behavior.   

Chapter 1: The Surprising Power of Tiny Habits

“Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.”

“You should be far more concerned with your current trajectory than with your current results.”

“Your outcomes are a lagging measure of your habits.
Your net worth is a lagging measure of your financial habits.
Your weight is a lagging measure of your eating habits.
Your knowledge is a lagging measure of your learning habits.
Your clutter is a lagging measure of your cleaning habits.
You get what you repeat.”


“Goals are about the results you want to achieve. Systems are about the processes that lead to those results.”           


“The purpose of setting goals
is to win the game. The purpose of building
systems is to continue playing the game."

True long-term thinking is goal-less thinking.

It’s not about any single accomplishment.

It is about the cycle of endless refinement and continuous improvement.

Habits are a double-edged sword.
They can work for you or against you, which is why understanding the details is essential.”

“Small changes often appear to make no difference until you cross a critical threshold. The most powerful outcomes of any compounding process are delayed. You need to be patient.”

“An atomic habit is a little habit that is part of
a larger system.

Just as atoms are the building blocks of
molecules, atomic habits are the building
blocks of remarkable results.”



“If you want better results, then forget about
setting goals. Focus on your system instead.”

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”     

Chapter 2: How Your Habits Shape Your Identity (and Vice Versa)

“Changing our habits is challenging for two reasons:
(1) we try to change the wrong thing and
(2) we try to change our habits in the wrong way.”   


“There are three layers of behavior change: a change in your outcomes, a change in your processes, or a change in your identity.”




Outcomes are about what you get. Processes are about what you do. Identity is about what you believe.”                


“With outcome-based habits, the focus is on what you want to achieve. With identity-based habits, the focus is on who you wish to become.”                


“The ultimate form of intrinsic motivation is when a habit becomes part of your identity.”


“It is a simple two-step process:
Decide the type of person you want to be.
Prove it to yourself with small wins.”                                


“Ask yourself, “Who is the type of person that could get the outcome I want?”


“The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become.”


“Your identity emerges out of your habits. Every action is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”


“Becoming the best version of yourself requires you to continuously edit your beliefs, and to upgrade and expand your identity.”


“The real reason habits matter is not because they can get you better results (although they can do that), but because they can change your beliefs about yourself.”         

Chapter 3: How to Build Better Habits in 4 Simple Steps


Whenever you want to change your behavior, ask yourself:


•How can I make it obvious?

•How can I make it attractive?

•How can I make it easy?

•How can I make it satisfying?

“A habit is a behavior that has been repeated enough times to become automatic.”


“The ultimate purpose of habits is to solve the problems of life with as little energy and effort as possible.”

“Any habit can be broken down into a feedback loop that involves four steps: cue, craving, response, and reward.”

The Four Laws of Behavior Change are a simple set of rules we can use to build better habits.

They are:

(1) make it obvious,


(2) make it attractive,


(3) make it easy, and


(4) make it satisfying.

The Secret to Self-Control

When scientists analyze people who appear to have tremendous self-control, it turns out those individuals aren’t all that different from those who are struggling.


Instead, “disciplined” people are better at structuring their lives in a way that does not require heroic willpower and self-control.
In other words, they spend less time in tempting situations.


The people with the best self-control are typically the ones who need to use it the least.
It’s easier to practice self-restraint when you don’t have to use it very often.


So, yes, perseverance, grit, and willpower are essential to success, but the way to improve these qualities is not by wishing you were a more disciplined person, but by
creating a more disciplined environment.


“Once a habit is formed, it is unlikely to be forgotten.”


“People with high self-control tend to spend less time in tempting situations.
It’s easier to avoid temptation than to resist it.”


“One of the most practical ways to eliminate a bad habit is to reduce exposure to the cue that causes it.”


“Self-control is a short-term strategy, not a long-term one.”

The Role of Family and Friends in Shaping Your Habits


“The culture we live in determines which behaviors are attractive to us.”


“We tend to adopt habits that are praised and approved of by our culture because we have a strong desire to fit in and belong to the tribe.”


“We tend to imitate the habits of three social groups:

• The close (family and friends),

• The many (the tribe), and

• The powerful (those with status and prestige).”


“One of the most effective things you can do to build better habits is to join a culture where:

(1) your desired behavior is the normal behavior and

(2) you already have something in common with the group.”

“The normal behavior of the tribe often overpowers the desired behavior of the individual. Most days, we’d rather be wrong with the crowd than be right by ourselves.”

“If a behavior can get us approval, respect, and praise, we find it attractive.”