The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success and Happiness

Since the first edition of The Slight Edge came out, Olson learned about a new branch of psychology called positive psychology, which seeks to develop an understanding of happiness and connects with Olson’s conceptualization of the slight edge. Olson connects this idea of happiness to the American Declaration of Independence’s line about the rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” with life representing health and liberty representing finances (103). Olson argues that the idea of the pursuit of happiness is counterintuitive to the idea of happiness itself as demonstrated in modern positive psychology scientific research. Happiness is a state of being created by daily actions, rather than a status to attain through some grand measure. This further reinforces the role of the slight edge in happiness by showing how repeated, simple actions and a positive personal philosophy help create a successful, happy life. Olson returns to the moment he learned that his mother had made herself a millionaire through careful, regular savings and notes that she was happy with her life even before she built a nest egg of security, despite the loss of her husband. He attributes her continual happiness to always seeking the good in everything around her and practicing gratitude regularly.