Go Jump Off A Log!

Four frogs are sitting on a log.  Three decide to jump off.  How many frogs are left?  If you answered four, you are correct!  There’s a big difference between deciding to do something and actually doing it.

Several months ago, I worked with a small business owner who had so many great ideas for his company but constantly struggled to implement them because it all seemed overwhelming.  I shared with him a philosophy that has continued to successfully change individuals, teams and entire organizations.  This philosophy is called “The Slight Edge”.  Since implementing this philosophy, what once seemed like an impossible amount of change has become an action-oriented plan, and I’m happy to report he has made significant progress.  His employees are more positive and productive, and revenue has continued to grow.  So what is the slight edge?

If you have ever seen a horse race or car race, you know that the difference in seconds between the first and second place winner is minuscule.  The difference in the payout, however, is huge!  That is the slight edge.  It is the little change you make, consistently over a long period of time that will have the greatest impact.

For example, did you know that one soda a day equates to 10 pounds a year?  Or that 30 minutes a day of increased productivity equates to 22.8 days a year?  Or that the only difference between really hot water and boiling water is one degree?

The slight edge is certainly not a new concept, but it continues to have life altering ramifications.  Whether you want to lose weight, make more money, improve your golf game, or make just about any other change in your life, it is easy to make a big change initially, only to find yourself right back where you started.  That is because, unfortunately, behavior change happens one of three ways: rarely, slowly, or never.  Successful change occurs when small shifts are made over a long period of time.

Here’s your homework:

1.  Pick one thing you would like to change or accomplish that you have been putting off.
2.  Identify ONE thing you can change each day this week to work toward that accomplishment.  Don’t pick two or three things, pick ONE thing and focus on it every day this week.

It doesn’t even have to be a big thing.  If you want to start exercising, each time you park in a parking lot this week, park farther out.  If you want to save money, each day, go without ONE thing you would have otherwise purchased.  KEEP IT SIMPLE!  Trying to accomplish everything at once is overwhelming and unrealistic.

So here’s my question…

What log WILL YOU jump off of this week?