Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you work, success seems out of reach? Maybe you’ve been told to hustle harder or grind longer yet you see people who appear to achieve massive success much faster. I recently read a book that changed my perspective completely: The Unfair Advantage: How You Already Have What It Takes to Succeed.
It taught me that success isn’t just about hard work, it’s about identifying and using your unfair advantage. Let me share what I learned from the book, how it relates to real-life examples like Mark Zuckerberg and Evan Spiegel (Snapchat’s co-founder) and how you can apply these lessons in your own journey.
What Is an Unfair Advantage?
The authors argue that life isn’t fair and that’s not a bad thing. We all have unique circumstances, experiences or talents that give us an edge over others even before the race begins.
For some people, it might be:
- Being born into a wealthy family
- Access to quality education early in life
- A natural talent like intelligence, creativity or oratory skills
- Location and environment (for example, growing up in Silicon Valley vs. a small town)
- Connections and networks
The truth? Hard work alone doesn’t explain success. There are plenty of hardworking people who remain poor. What really matters is combining effort with your unfair advantage.
The MILES Framework: 5 Types of Unfair Advantages
The book introduces the MILES framework, which breaks down unfair advantages into five categories:
- Money – Having financial resources to support your dreams. But even the lack of money can push you to become more innovative and resourceful.
- Intelligence & Insight – Natural talent, quick learning ability or deep insight into solving problems.
- Location & Luck – Where you are born, the opportunities around you and the element of timing.
- Education & Expertise – Skills, training or knowledge you’ve gained, whether formally or through self-learning.
- Status – Your personal brand, reputation or social standing. Sometimes just your name or influence can open doors others can’t access.
Real-Life Examples of Unfair Advantages
- Evan Spiegel (Snapchat): Became a billionaire at 24. His parents were successful lawyers and he grew up in Los Angeles with access to elite schools and resources. His environment gave him an early start most people don’t get.
- Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook): Started coding at a very young age because his father could afford private tutors. Compare that to someone who only got access to a computer in university, he already had a 15–20 year head start.
- Barack Obama: His oratory skills became his unfair advantage. One powerful speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention propelled him to the presidency just four years later.
- Oprah Winfrey: She came from poverty but turned her natural gift of communication into one of the most successful careers in media history.
How to Identify Your Unfair Advantage
The key takeaway is this: you already have something that sets you apart. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, look deeper into your unique strengths. Ask yourself:
- What comes naturally to me that others struggle with?
- What life experiences have shaped me in ways others can’t replicate?
- What skills, knowledge or insights do I have that give me an edge?
By recognizing and building on these advantages, you can stop competing where you’re weak and start thriving where you’re already strong.
Why This Matters for Your Financial Freedom
When I understood this concept, it reshaped how I approach business and life. Instead of comparing myself to people with privileges I never had, I focused on leveraging my own strengths digital marketing, teaching and content creation.
If you also want to discover how to identify your unique strengths and move toward financial freedom, I recommend checking out my book:
Achieving Your Greatest Dreams
It’s a practical guide to moving from where you are now to where you really want to be.
To sum it up,
Life is not fair but that’s exactly what makes it interesting. Your unfair advantage might not look like Zuckerberg’s or Oprah’s, but you definitely have one. The faster you identify and use it, the faster you’ll reach your own version of success.
Author Profile
David Asaana is a Digital Marketer, Author, and Entrepreneur with over five years of experience. He has worked with 4,000+ clients across Ghana, the USA, the UK, and beyond. And his YouTube channel where he shares step-by-step tutorials on digital marketing and business growth has reached more than 1.9 million views.
READ FULL AUTHOR PROFILE
