Recently finished another book on audible - Compound Effect by Darren Hardy. This book again reconfirms my faith on the power of compounding in life. Principles mentioned in this book or another book on importance of daily insignificant improvements - Atomic Habits, clearly if applied in life, one would definitely benefit.
Now concepts or principles aside question one asks is that, i know this knowledge is good, but how does one apply. I have tried to come up with those gems from the book which can be implemented. Here are these -
- It's not big choices, but ones that you think don't matter or count for much that derail us. You don't consciously think about it, but these small decisions can really change things. Success is doing a half dozen things really well, repeated five thousand times. Identify those goals and convert them into small choices and steadfastly adopt them in your routine;making them habits.
- Be it the morning workout, or a fixed timezone to think of professional skills goal in office or investment check block or a mandatory hour with kids everyday. The essence is in defining a routine with clear walls built to safeguard time for these activities/choices which if done religiously on delivera daily basis will result in significant milestones.
- Small actions are all around us happening all the time when we are sleepwalking thru life on auto pilot of our habits. Once we begin to chose to be aware of our envoirnment and start observing, we shall find things which were always there, but we didnt see. These changes can deliver significant impact going forward. Thus, become aware first!
- Gratitude is very important in life. Its a good thing to know as something we should practice, but we dont. Because we index towards immediate gratification activities vs long term. Gratitude helps us in forging relationships with ppl which are long lasting giving long term effects. And for that, you need to start exploring opportunities to thank and appreciate people. In relationships, u should make a task to write at least 3 things a day to thank and appreciate others genuinely, and then you would see how the relationships change for better. What you appreciate, appreciates.
- In relationships especially, its not 50:50 partnership to make it a success; but 100:0. You have to be willing to give 100 percent in your relationships without expecting any contribution from other to make it work. Thats when the strength of these relationships compounds.
- The first step toward change is awareness. The best way to become aware is to measure. Writing it all down is key. Track your behavior for at least one week. All winners are trackers. You cannot improve something until you measure it.
- Good example in the book of small improvements done daily give huge results - If the nose of a plane is pointed just one percent off course when it leaves LA for New York, it will end up in Delaware once it gets to the east coast.
- When you set a goal, most people ask, “What do I need to do to achieve your goal?” Instead, you should ask “Who do I need to become?” Our actions should be directed towards changes in ourselves first.
- Book end your days. You can always ensure how your day starts and ends. Finish your most important tasks first. Review your day each evening.
- Create a routine which you can stick to, so you won’t lose your momentum. Momentum is huge. Objects in motion tend to stay in motion. The hardest part of momentum is the beginning. But like pushing the merry-go-round on the playground. Once you get moving you can keep going very easily. And that where the crux lies, once begun, if u drop out for a day or two or a week, you lose the entire momentum; which is a strict no no.
- Garbage in, garbage out. Don't waste your time watching TV, eating junk, reading useless stuff, consuming negative stories, and more.
