Growing up, I loved playing sports, specifically soccer. Unfortunately, I was never the most athletic or talented player on my team. Given my lack of natural abilities, how could I play soccer at a high level throughout my career, even through college?
I focused on winning in the margins.
Doing the little things consistently (and at a high level) helps you achieve goals far beyond your current abilities or status.
But before we get into the details of how to win in the margins, let's talk about why doing the little things can have a huge impact on your career.
The Impact of Small Actions
You've likely heard of "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, which delves into how tiny changes can lead to remarkable results. Clear's central message is that by focusing on minor improvements each day, we can harness the compound effect of these habits over time, leading to significant personal and professional transformation.
For most of us, our career isn't shaped just by the landmark projects we complete or the groundbreaking algorithms we devise. Instead, the small, daily habits and actions truly define our growth trajectory. These actions, as small as they seem, build a foundation of reliability and trustworthiness.
A Note on Trust
In software, trust is everything. Our ability to work effectively in teams and to depend on each other for critical project milestones hinges on this trust.
And here's the catch - it's built through consistency.
Unfortunately, trust is much easier to lose. When deadlines are missed, or communication falters, it doesn't take much for team members to start doubting.
Once that trust is questioned, people may hesitate to rely on you again, impacting not just the task at hand but future collaborations.
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How to Win In The Margins
So, how do we harness this power of marginal gains? It's about embracing those small yet impactful actions. Here are some easy ways for you to build trust and win in the margins:
- Show up to meetings on time & prepared.
- Do the "dirty work" that others find tedious.
- Don't cut corners with your testing or acceptance criteria.
The cumulative effect of small actions, like the ones I listed above, is that you will be seen as the person who does things correctly and can be counted on.
At its heart, winning in the margins is about nailing those little things, the ones that are easy to skip over. It's doing them so well that it becomes your signature. It's in these margins that we find our greatest opportunities for growth and impact.
What are some of the little things you do that help you win in the margins? Reply to this email. I respond to each one.