How compound effect works

Recently I have been reading through a book titled “Compound Effect” written by Darren Hardy and it gave me a food for thought that I wanted to share with you a summary of the main points that come across to my attention. It describes three Friends- Mr. A, Mr. B, Mr. C. They’re all married and have an average health and body weight, plus a little bit of that dreaded “marriage flab.”

Condition at the beginning of the comparison

Mr. A- Starts making some small seemingly inconsequential, positive changes. He begins reading 10 pages of a good book per day and listening to 30 minutes of something instructional or inspirational on his commute to work. He wants to see changes in his life but doesn’t want to make a fuss over it. He does implement what he read in his life. He’s going to cut 125 calories from his diet every day by reducing a cup of cereal less, trading that can of soda for a bottle of seltzer, switching from mayo to mustard on his sandwich. Doable, right? He’s also started walking a couple of thousand extra steps per day (less than a mile). No grand acts of bravery or effort. Stuff anyone could do. But he is determined to stick with these choices, knowing that even though they’re simple, he could also easily be tempted to abandon them.

Mr. B- He recently bought a new big-screen TV and latest I pad (spending a lot of time on social media) so he can watch more of his favorite programs. He’s been trying out the recipes he’s seen on the Food Channel—the cheesy casseroles, fast food, and desserts are his favorites (food intake, wooh). Oh, and he installed a bar in his family room and added one alcoholic drink per week to his diet. He just wants to have a little more fun.

Mr.C -He’s happy, or so he thinks but complains occasionally that nothing ever changes. He keeps his life as it is without any efforts.

Results after 5 months

Mr.A continues to read a little bit every night and listen to audios during his commute; Mr. B is “enjoying” life and doing less. Mr. C keeps doing as he always has. Even though each man has his own pattern of behavior, five months isn’t long enough to see any real decline or improvement in their situations. They’d look exactly equal. At the end of five months, no perceivable differences exist among them.

Results after 10 months

At the end of ten months, we still can’t see noticeable changes in any of their lives.

Results after 27 months and more, there is a terrific difference

At month twenty-seven, there is an expansive difference. And, by month thirty-one, the change is startling. Mr.B is now fat while Mr. A is trim. By simply cutting 125 calories a day, in thirty-one months resulting 940 days x 125 calories/day = 117,500 calories saved. Meaning that 117,500 calories saved x 1 pound/3,500 calories = 33.5 pounds!

Mr.B
ate 125 more calories a day in that same time frame and gained 33.5 pounds. Now he weighs 67 pounds more than Mr. A! But the differences are more significant than weight. Mr. A is invested almost one thousand hours reading good books and listening to self-improvement audios; by putting his newly gained knowledge into practice, he’s earned a promotion and a raise. Best of all, his marriage is thriving. Mr. B? He’s unhappy at work, and his marriage is on the rocks. And Mr C? Mr. C is pretty much exactly where he was two and half years ago, except now he’s a little bitterer about it.

The difference between people who employ the Compound Effect for their benefit compared to their peers who allow the same effect to work against them is almost inconceivable. It looks miraculous! Like magic or quantum leaps. After thirty-one months (or thirty-one years), the person who uses the positive nature of the Compound Effect appears to be an “overnight success.” In reality, his or her profound success was the result of small, smart choices, completed consistently over time.


The Question is where would you be standing in the next 24 months to come? Your present status is the product of your past and your future is determined by your current action and choices.
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