I recently read a wonderful personal and professional development book by Darren Hardy called The Compound Effect. To say that it’s a “good book filled with a wealth of resources” is an understatement. When I read a book or article, I highlight and use tabs when I come across ideas, quotes, great stories or pick up any nuggets that I can share with my clients and friends.  It’s safe to say that most of the text is now highlighted yellow.

The gist of the book is this – every action and thought, no matter how small, simple or inconsequential, compound’s over time.   And, over time that “compounding effect” will create exponential results. These actions will either work FOR you by helping you to accomplish your goals, desires and dreams. Or, they will work AGAINST you taking you so far off course that you won’t recognize yourself or the goals and dreams you long to achieve.

Here is a great example of the power of compounding: Let’s say someone have you a choice of taking  $100,000 right now, or, get a penny a day that would double each day for 30 days. On day one, you get a penny. On day two, you get two pennies. And on day three, you get four pennies, etc.

So which one would you want? If you took the $100,000, you sold yourself short. Why? The power of compounding. The penny deal would have given you $5.4 million at the end of 30 days.

Simple? Yes. Easy? No. Why? Because we tend to not be patient or persistent enough to do what we need to do to get what we set our hearts and mind to accomplish.

Several of my coaching clients who have read The Compound Effect implemented small actions in their lives and work. Here are examples of a few and the results they envision:

Doing 15 minutes of personal / professional development a day. The result: to develop and further themselves personally and professionally

Drinking and tracking daily water intake. The result: having a healthy, hydrated body and glowing skin.

Planning each day at the beginning of the day (or end of the day before). The result: more focused, on purpose and productive days.

Creating a morning routine of meditation, exercise and gratitude lists. The result: to have a more relaxed, peaceful, healthy and fulfilling work-life.

Now, multiply those habits by days, month and years. Imagine how those simple habits will make dramatic changes in their lives and work.

How about you? Can you imagine how powerful it would be for you to add a good habit in your daily routine?  Take time to think about what you may want to implement. What does it look like for you? What’s it worth to change your present routine and create a new and different habit?

I’d love to hear how you are taking action.  Drop me a line in comment box below to share.

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