We are just over halfway through January and many are still in the mindset of our New Year’s resolutions. Some may be hitting it out of the park and feeling very motivated to keep going. But others may be experiencing another “failed” attempt and are now in comparison, guilt, and shame. Today, I want to remind you that slow and steady wins the race.  

Remember, you are strong enough to achieve your goals. I would encourage you to get back on the horse if you have found that you have fallen off. Habits and change take time! 

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

This is a lesson I have had to remember time and time again.  Like I am sure many of you do, I have the tendency to think I have to do it perfectly. This can show up in a variety of ways. I find myself thinking, ”Well if I can’t do it perfectly to start, why even try?”  Or, more often, “Well I told myself I was going to do XYZ every day, but I missed yesterday, so why keep going?”  

So basically, I get the “f*#$-its.

But 5 years ago, I came across the book “The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy. This book helped me switch my thinking and shifted my motivation around my goals.

Rather than the message of instant gratification, which is how society is marketed to, the compound effect talks about how a little each day can compound into big results. The idea is that “slow and steady wins the race” and that “It’s not a sprint, but a marathon.”

The results can be massive, even though at the moment the steps don’t feel significant!

The Compound Effect

Here’s an easy example that I am sure many of you have heard, but it really drives home this concept. 

You have a choice at the beginning of the month to either take $3 million in cash in that very instant or a single penny that doubles in values every day for 31 days.  Which would you choose? 

DAYS

$3 Million

1 cent

5

$3 Million

$.16

10

$3 Million

$5.12

20

$3 Million

$5,243

29

$3 Million

$2.7 Million

30

$3 Million

$5.3 Million

31

$3 Million

$10.7 Million

Small, Smart Choices + Consistency + Time = Radical Difference

So, my question to you is are you going to get back on the horse?

If you need help getting back on the horse or maybe even starting the ride, let’s chat!

 

P.S. Like this blog, read more of Jessica’s Journal