There is a book that has been very important to me, my family and my clients for well over 10 years. The Compound Effect, by Darren Hardy, became a staple for life before I even finished it the first time. The ideas are simple and full of common sense, the hard part is sticking to them long enough.
The compound effect is not something that happens over night. It happens over time. After repeating actions over and over again for a long time, you get results. The results can be what you might call positive OR negative- the compound effect does not discriminate. If you do the wrong things over and over again, you will get a result you most likely do not want. Make the right choices, the right actions and the compounding will take you to the goals you’d like to reach.
This takes real mindfulness and lots of careful thought to map out those “right” actions and choices. Consistency is the key, however, as human beings there are times when we will get off track. The trick is to notice it and then get right back on track as soon as possible. And to keep a positive attitude not beating yourself up in the process.
One of my favorite Darren Hardy sayings is “you can’t improve what you don’t measure.” How do we know we are getting better? So writing down your goals and checking off each day to reflect on at the end of each week is something Darren Hardy suggests to do. He even created a worksheet to use which is in the book, or I am including a PDF of it in this week’s newsletter, so you can get a copy of it there! Not a subscriber? Please go to www.kimberlydubrul.com to sign up!
Measurement, consistency, planning, compounding.
If you have compounded some results in the wrong direction over the years, it’s okay, just start turning the tide now. Just like negative results don’t happen over night, neither do the great ones, but you will see improvement and wins along the way. In the book, the author tells a story of three friends who all make different choices over about 3 years- the biggest changes weren’t apparent until almost that long. So think about what you really want, what is important about it and commit for years to this pursuit. Writing down what you want and what is important will serve you on the days you don’t feel like taking the right actions.
Lastly, I want to mention this thought. Let yourself be uncomfortable, I am in the midst of reading another book that is really making me think- The Comfort Crisis. Being uncomfortable, stretching yourself to do something difficult- it is so good for us. (use some common sense!) Read, think, make a plan, find some accountability and commit to moving forward without stopping to question or doubt- just keep going to get the compound effect working for you!