The Compounding Effect of Choice
Most people are familiar with the compounding effect of money, as it’s key to the long-term accumulation of wealth. Saving a few hundred dollars each month grows into tens of thousands over time. The principles of compounding also apply in every area of our lives, whether we like it or not. Internalize the simple principles in this article and adopt them for a lifetime. Doing so will allow you to more easily stay focused on what is most important to you and take the necessary action steps to realize your desires. Willingness is the key.
The compounding effect of choice is made up of two simple principles. The Mastery and Mediocrity diagram below illustrates this concept visually.
Principle #1
“It is the simple disciplines (choices), that don’t seem to make any difference at all in the moment; HOWEVER repeated over time, the compounded effect makes all the difference in the world.”
Principle #2
“It is the simple errors in judgment, that don’t seem to make any difference at all in the moment; HOWEVER repeated over time, the compounded effect makes all the difference in the world.”
Principle #1 in Action – “Simple Disciplines” – Focus on the upper side of the graph above. The x-axis on the diagram depicts the role of time, while the y-axis represents the growth in mastery or success of something important to you. This could represent progress in your profession, leadership, relationships, health, mothering, creative expression or cultivating a sense of inner peace.
Each tick mark in the diagram represents one action, or “one simple discipline” or “one simple choice.” Unfortunately, the choices acted upon in the earlier stages don’t reflect much growth for quite awhile. Much like saving a few hundred dollars each month, it doesn’t SEEM to add up to much in the beginning stages. Without referencing this graph, it may feel discouraging and you may choose to quit before reaching your desired outcome. However, if you were to continue repeating “it’s the simple disciplines (choices), that don’t seem to make any difference at all,” AND continued to take simple actions, the compounding effect would eventually kick in. You would ultimately experience the growth and success you desire. It’s simply a matter of time – AND CONSISTENT action. How often do people quit when they are nearing the finish line?
There are three important elements in the compounding effect of choice.
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Strategies | Comment (0)The Future of Wind Turbines
My husband, John and I are both in the sustainable energy business. I’m helping shape one’s inner world. He’s focused on a solution for the outside world.
John was dwelling on how else his Skytran Team could use the core technology in their guideway… and in the middle of the night had a thought. If used in reverse, it could be used to power windmills. As serendipity goes, a customer found them.
After meeting the team, and not having any other viable solution to refurbish their wind turbines – they enlisted the intellects of the 6 founders of Skytran (plus a few other worker bees and vendors committed to work CRAZY hours).
90 days later, an old rusty wind turbine has twice the power of a modern day unit, with a fraction of the potential maintenance costs.
Here’s the before and after shots.
BEFORE
AFTER
Share a Magic Moment email: mary@lifecoachmary.com
Filed under Fulfilling Lives | Comment (0)You set big goals for yourself. Yet, you’re equally committed to a peaceful inner world. Is it possible to have BOTH? And, if it is…what allows you to keep inspiration and productivity high along the way?
There are several keys…however,
Simply put…INNER PEACE TIMEOUTS.
An Inner Peace Timeout is a fancy way of saying — refueling your soul. It’s more than a mindless coffee break, zoning out in front of the boob tube or reading a trashy novel (though these activities have their place). It’s not about disconnecting from your busy world, but rather about CONNECTING to your inner being…that inner peace reservoir you have access to any time you choose.
There are lots of ways to take an inner peace timeout. Some inner peace timeouts refuel your soul in minutes. Depending on how “burned-out” you’ve let yourself become, you may need a much longer inner peace timeout…like an entire day or week.
But, more important than taking TIME away from work is the consciousness and presence you bring to this precious time.
For some examples of some of my favorite inner peace timeouts,
A few weeks ago, I flew to Dallas to reconnect with my work colleagues from 20+ years ago. My first real job was with “Technical Recruiting Associates”. Yes, for the first four years out of college I was a “headhunter,” finding top-notch computer programmers for my favorite clients, including Price Waterhouse, IBM and American Express. We were a tight-knit group, who celebrated top performance by going on a cruise each year (I was #2 in the company for three of my four years).
Facebook reunited many of us “old-timers” this past Fall via internet. Then, the owners thought it would be fun to host a reunion at the end of January. How could I miss seeing all the people who had shaped my early years?
Not only did this small company set the stage for business practices that would shape my life forever, this is where my path of “personal development” began. Through tears of gratitude, I finally got to express my appreciation to Karen DeGraffenreid — in person, 22+ years later. I wouldn’t be who I am today without THIS beginning.
KAREN & MARY
It was surreal to step back into a “happy hour” setting with all of my old colleagues — who pretty much looked the same. Maybe a few extra creases around the eyes marking the passage of two decades. And, all the personalities I knew and loved are as vibrant as ever!
TRA ALUMS – 20+ Years Later
DuWee, Anji, Diana, Mary & Kristin
Of course, a few things have changed and evolved since our journeys began at TRA back in 1988. Why oh why was it cool to have “big hair” back in the day?
In a spontaneous email, I promised I’d share a few old photos of my “big hair” days. Here I am at one of my infamous Xmas Parties. You’ll see I pretty much look “the same” — except for the BIG hair, shoulder pads and a few creases around the eyes. Oh to be young again!
Mary in 1989ish
Don’t you just love that belt?
…and those shoulder pads!
Share a Magic Moment email: mary@lifecoachmary.com
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Uncategorized | Comment (0)If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment ,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
Then You Are Probably “The Family Dog”!
And … you thought I was going to get all spiritual …
Filed under Fulfilling Lives, Inner Peace 101, Inner Peace Moments | Comment (0)Below are four related processes for a clarifying your 2010 vision. Since each of us is wired differently, it’s useful to find the most effective visioning strategy for you. Some people LOVE to write goals, others avoid the process. Some love details, while others are big picture people. Some people LOVE visualizations, and yet others do best in verbalizing their dreams to others. Which style or styles resonate with you?
The most important element in crystallizing your vision is finding a medium that allows you to connect “emotionally” to your vision. We often identify goals and visions intellectually, yet find ourselves disassociated and not inspired to achieve them. The juice, inspiration and magic unfolds when we are “emotionally engaged” with our visions.
If you desire an amazing relationship, how would you FEEL if that partner was already in your life? How would you treat them? What activities would you enjoy together? If you desire a thriving business, what activities would fill up your day? Who would you spend time with? How confident and decisive would you be? If you desire a fit and trim body, can you imagine yourself eating healthy foods and looking forward to visiting the gym? What would it feel like to be 15 pounds lighter? If you desire a year filled with INNER PEACE, what practices would you relax into daily? What would you say “no” to? How would it feel to bathe in bliss at any moment?
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People express and receive love in different ways. Dr. Gary Chapman identifies these as “the five languages of love”.
1. Quality Time – Attention, quality conversation, time spent together doing something meaningful or enjoyable. Time is Love. Attention is love.
2. Words of Affirmation – “You are beautiful”. Words of acknowledgment, encouragement, or appreciation. “You are a giving, loving, kind, warm person. I love who you are”. Words of affirmation are words of love.
3. Gifts - From big to small. Flowers. Gifts. Cards. Cars. Houses. Jewelry. Stuffed Animals. Clothing. A gift can be a great gift of love. Some people feel most loved with a gift.
4. Acts of Service - Cooking dinner, washing the car, running an errand, cleaning the house, helping with a task, time spent in contribution to another.
5. Physical Touch – Affection. Massage. Making love. Of course, everyone has their favorite way to be touched. And, touch equals love to many.
Knowing these 5 Love Languages allows you to GIVE and RECEIVE love from others more fully. Of course, we all can appreciate and enjoy each “love language”, however there is typically one or two that make you feel MOST LOVED.
Which one is your primary love language?
How do YOU show love toward those you love?
What we tend to do for others, is often a clue to what we enjoy receiving most…
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So, you have gotten clear about WHO you are and WHAT you want. You are practicing the Art of Fulfillment. You are Strengthening your Connections and Surrounding Yourself with Beauty. You are setting goals and taking action. And still life does not seem to be cooperating.
This is where ”trust” comes in. Life Is a process – with ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys. For every bump in the road, there IS a gift for you. The gift may be a ”learning”, something to challenge or strengthen you, a new opportunity, or a chance meeting (like ours!).
Life offers us gifts every day, all day long, if we choose to look for them. As we combine our spiritual connection with an expectation that ”life IS supporting our highest good”, we can relax a bit and begin to more fully enjoy our experience here as human beings.
Enjoy your journey!
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Conscious Connections: Are you FULLY Connected?
Does this sound familiar? Hundreds of items on your “to-do” list. You feel tugged in a dozen directions. The business needs your attention. You want to spend quality time with friends and family. Your body is craving a workout. Paperwork and post-it notes are piling up everywhere. Your mind wants peace of mind. Commitments. Choices. Opportunity. Conflicts in your mind.
The recipe for overwhelm is clear.
When activity is high, it can be easy to lose connection with what is most important. We may diminish the big and little successes occurring along the way. We may not stop and fully connect with those we love – enough or at all. We may set goals and objectives haphazardly, not owning or connecting to them at the core of our being. We may avoid connecting to the underlying feelings that haven’t been expressed. We may lose connection with ourselves. Whether you fit the “busy” description, or are just casually pacing through life – STOPPING and taking the time to “consciously connect” is essential to maximizing fulfillment AND productivity.
The more consciously you are connected, the greater sense of aliveness, joy and flow you will naturally experience in your life. Take inventory by evaluating how CONNECTED you are in each of the following areas. What is your next level of connection?
Continue reading »
There are many components to the Art of Fulfillment …
• Creating magic moments
• Noticing life’s simple pleasures – the little things and the grand
• Being grateful
• Living your values and purpose
• Focusing on what’s already great
• Growing your connections – to self, to spirit, and to others
The Art of Fulfillment is about cultivating more happiness, more peace, more joy, more meaning, more purpose – aaaaahhhhhhh, MORE life fulfillment!!!
This key is SIMPLE. Focus on creating fulfillment – and YOU WILL attract it.
What is one “magic moment” you can create THIS WEEK? What are you GRATEFUL for? You CAN find fulfillment in looking at a flower or going to the grocery store – if you choose it. Schedule a “FULFILLMENT seeking week”. All week long focus on everything and anything that’s fulfilling to you. Discover new ones and search out others. The greater your intention to be fulfilled, the more ways you’ll find to create it.
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Everyday Inner Peace is about maximizing YOUR inner peace. Whatever is interfering with your inner peace is temporary, unnecessary suffering. Here you’ll find tips, strategies and inspiration to return to relaxed bliss … in minutes. Everything is better in life with an abundance of "inner peace."
