10 Ways to Gain an Edge
Gaining an edge in today’s society is hard.
Although opportunities may not be fairly distributed, everyone has access to the same information.
It can be hard to stand out from the crowd. But, in my opinion, the bar is remarkably low.
There are plenty of simple, yet extremely effective, techniques that we can work on in order to make a name for ourselves.
Here is a list of 10 techniques (in no particular order) that you can work on to gain an edge in your life:
Concise Communication - One of the greatest strengths a leader can have is the ability to communicate effectively. We all work in jobs where you are constantly communicating. There is always room to improve, cut out the bullshit and get straight to the point. Those who have the ability to explain something clearly and concisely, stand out immediately. One day I’ll finally stop putting “Hope all is well” in my emails.
Ability to ask great questions - When you ask in-depth questions, you will get a better understanding of how things work. Be curious and be prepared. Whether its an interview, client meeting, sales pitch - show them that you have done your research.
"Once you have learned to ask questions – relevant and appropriate and substantial questions – you have learned how to learn and no one can keep you from learning whatever you want or need to know." Neil Postman
Listen - We all hate having to explain something more than once. When you truly listen, you avoid asking general questions that can be found from a quick Google search. Show the speaker you are engaged and don’t be afraid to regurgitate the answer back to the speaker to ensure you understand.
The ability to stay fresh - Take time off from whatever you do full time! Work isn’t everything and we all need to learn how to unplug. When you are battling fatigue, you become sloppy. By taking time off, you are able to recharge and reflect on life.
Willingness to embrace the suck - We live in a world where we seek constant gratification. Try not to always chase the quick fix and, most importantly, don’t be a pompous asshole. Always be willing to ‘take one for the team’ and volunteer your services. Make the sacrifices now and build the relationships. It won’t go unnoticed and will only help you when you want to make that next move. Step up more times than you step back. Believe in yourself.
Desire to make an impact - Money can’t be the only thing that drives you, if it is, the outcome probably won’t be great. The challenges we face are daunting: pandemics, climate change, super volcanoes, atomic warfare, etc. It’s easy to be pessimistic. Focus on what you CAN do. We can all make a difference every single day in the world around us. We just have to decide where and how. No matter how small the action is, remember you are then casting a vote for the type of person you wish to become.
Take action - Those that overthink or have trouble making decisions will be surpassed. We all make mistakes, but don’t let that be the reason for your indecision. Even if you don't have specific goals or aspirations, we must constantly be working towards SOMETHING. Do not let fear dictate your decision making. Lack of consistency is our main problem.
Accept stress - Stress is a privilege. If you are stressed, that tends to show that people rely on you and you have to perform. When you are feeling down, tackle that feeling immediately. Step away from what you are doing and get outside. When we are faced with a dilemma, or have to make a big decision, we often times feel stuck. Sometimes, by taking a step back and flipping the script, the 'unsolvable' problem can disappear and new thoughts and opportunities emerge.
Be flexible - Create your own voice but have a willingness to be flexible with your beliefs. Those that are so reluctant to listen to others when their opinion differs from theirs will not succeed. When you are so dead set on an opinion you create blind spots. Always be willing to learn about new ideas or listen to different perspectives.
Travel - The world is a beautiful place, go see it. This will inevitably make you more cultured and hopefully less ignorant when speaking outside of your hometown. We can learn many lessons from different cultures and, hopefully, share those experiences with others.
These are just a few areas that you can work on in order to gain an edge in today’s society.
Was there something not listed above that you think makes you stand out?
Leave a comment below!
Disclosure: This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.