Guest blog by Idris Fashan
Last week, in his blog post, It’s a Process, Mike shared how creating business processes can help remove the guesswork in establishing and maintaining an efficient, profitable business.
Months ago, I had read Built to Sell, on his suggestion, and I began laying the groundwork for my own business processes and business growth.
But one thing kept coming up for me, and this is one issue that I have had many conversations with other entrepreneurs about:
Knowing where I want to go, and knowing how I get there is incredibly valuable, but then how can I implement and manage these things while still running a growing business?
If the work doesn’t overwhelm, the thinking might.
Taking the Slight Edge
Mike often emphasizes the principle of 100% improvement in 1% pieces, and the truth of this is that most of us would not be able to do much more.
A friend last week suggested Jeff Olson’s recent book, The Slight Edge, and although I am still getting through it, it’s a fascinating read.
One story that really stands out for me is the flywheel effect. Success isn’t en end; it’s a continuum. Imagine a person trying to rotate a large flywheel, starting from one push. Each nudging of the flywheel is built on the work performed earlier. The compounded effort builds momentum, but it always starts from one singular effort which multiplies exponentially over time.
The Slight Edge helps you create an action-focused approach that from the start retains that long view. It lets you narrow on the small steps that move you forward, and build those steps into your own flywheel effect.
But here is the trap: These steps are both “easy to do and easy not to do.” The very effect that can bring huge success for you over time is the same effect that (if you do not take positive actions) can lead to stagnation and eventual failure.
According to Olson, these small, undetectable steps that we choose to do or not do are what really determines success.
The jury’s still out on the book, but if every thousand-mile journey begins with a single step, it makes sense that repeatedly neglecting steps over time will affect the direction or length of your trip.
Do you agree? Does the flywheel effect play into your business successes? I’d like to know how you start and build those small steps, so please comment below!
