BCG Blog

The Edge

You hear people talking about it in the sports world all the time, but it holds just as much weight in our personal and professional lives. In sports, it has a way of standing out. The edge is one of those things that’s easy to see, but hard to define.

The edge is often described as a hunger, or thirst, for growth. People with an edge seem to be early risers and busy bodies. They’re constantly working on something in an effort to gain an advantage. 

The edge can also entail a significant amount of emotion. Most would use words like fiery, competitive, and passionate to describe people with an edge. For the best, this surfaces as positive energy that inspires others. The other side, of course, is when emotion gets the best of us and we react inappropriately to adversity. 

In my opinion, “The Edge” encompasses both of these perspectives but requires a much deeper understanding of ourselves and our purpose in order to truly be an edge.

Why Should We Care?
An edge gives us an advantage. 
Too much emotion, not an edge. Being constantly busy, not an edge. 

Our edge needs to be intentionally designed. It’s the opposite of indifference. It is the path to our purpose. There is no greater edge than the alignment of your values and purpose.

If I could pick one word to describe having an edge, it would be urgency. When you have an edge, this moment matters. You’re not waiting for the next time or next opportunity. Now is the time. Always. You operate differently with that urgency as a mindset. Mistakes and successes are both moved past quickly. Not because they aren’t important, but because they aren’t now. The edge will push you to learn from both because each improves your chances for success in your next now. 

When you have an edge, you carry yourself differently. You’re confident in your resilience and ability to deal with whatever happens, yet humble enough to know you’re going to fail from time to time. The edge doesn’t guarantee victory, but it does guarantee growth.

With an edge, you do walk close to the line. You take risks, which are scary. And, sometimes you lose. However, it’s clear to anyone around you that you are not indifferent - you have purpose in your actions. There is an urgency in your choices.

REAL TALK - Action Steps
I don’t think there is anything magical to give yourself an edge. No matter how many motivational speeches you watch or how much inspirational music you listen to, having, or not having an edge, is always your choice.

• Fill Your Tank - With the Right Stuff 
  
  • It may not create your edge by itself, but it certainly helps. Maybe more important than filling your tank with the right stuff is being sure not to fill it with the wrong stuff - or wrong people. Not too many things can derail your edge faster than energy vampires.
    

• Stay Present - Now Is the Only Time
  
  • It’s the only time that matters - now. Stay there. Getting pulled to the past and future will wreak havoc on your edge. You’ll get defensive about the past and start playing it safe for the future. Acting with an edge only happens where your feet are.
    

• Define Success - Fight Comparison
  
  • Comparison leads to feelings of inferiority or complacency. Neither helps with our edge. Define success on your terms, not those of society. Your edge depends on an unwavering self awareness. 
    

Find your edge. Live your edge.

For more information on building excellence in your teams, visit us at www.bluecollargrit.com. 
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