Showing Up: The Slight Edge of No More Zero Days

There’s a philosophy that quietly transforms lives—no hype, no magic, just small, consistent action. It’s called No More Zero Days (NMZD), and it echoes what Jeff Olsen wrote in The Slight Edge: success isn’t about massive overnight leaps. It’s about small, repeated actions that compound over time.

The core idea? Never let a day pass where you do nothing for your future self.

The Non-Zero System

A zero day is a day where you do nothing toward your goals. Not a single thing. The vortex of zero days leads to stagnation, frustration, and self-loathing. NMZD breaks this pattern by ensuring that, no matter what, you always do something.

Didn’t work out? Do a single push-up.
Didn’t read that book? Read a single paragraph.
Didn’t write that article? Type a single sentence.

One is infinitely greater than zero. And these small actions, however insignificant they seem, keep you moving forward. Momentum isn’t built in sprints; it’s built in small, almost unnoticeable steps.

The Three You’s: Gratitude and Favors

Think of yourself in three versions:

  • Past You – who made yesterday’s choices.
  • Present You – who makes today’s decisions.
  • Future You – who will live with the results.

Thank Past You for small wins. Do favors for Future You. Feeling lazy? Take that 5-minute jog—Future You will appreciate it. This cycle of gratitude and action fuels consistency.

And when you fail—which you will—forgive yourself. Holding onto disappointment keeps you stuck. Say it out loud: I forgive you, Past Me. Today, I will do better. Then take a single non-zero action to restart momentum.

Momentum & Commpoynding: The Ultimate Leverage

Two habits amplify everything:

  • Move your body. Exercise resets your mind, builds resilience, and gives you an edge.
  • Feed your mind. Every problem you face has already been solved—books hold the answers.

NMZD isn’t just about avoiding zero days—it’s about stacking progress. The difference between success and stagnation lies in small, consistent choices.

So, next time you feel stuck, don’t wait for motivation. Don’t chase perfection.

Just do one small thing. Make it non-zero.

And tomorrow? Repeat.