Years ago, I read a book called The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy. It’s the concept that small actions, repeated over long periods, can generate tremendous results. I was so impressed with the book that I later bought it on audio and listen to it occasionally when I need a kick in the habits.

During a recent conversation with a friend, the topic of goals came up. He stated he wanted to become conversationally fluent in French. “I can read French books, watch French movies, and listen to French podcasts,” my friend said, “but I stumble when I try to converse in the language.”

When I asked where he learned French, he said, “Duolingo.”

I knew of Duolingo because my son used it in school. It’s a (mostly free) learning course that can teach users a variety of languages. The languages range from German to Hindi to Navaho. If you want to learn a language, they have it. They even have contrived languages like High Valyrian (The Game of Thrones) and Klingon (Star Trek).

My friend said he’d used Duolingo for over 1,000 days straight, practicing roughly fifteen minutes a day. He started learning French because his daughter enrolled in the subject during high school. She stopped taking the class at the end of the school year, but he continued.

A little over three years after he started, he can read French books and watch French movies. He’s got more to go until he reaches a fully conversational level, but he’s not stopping now. It only takes him a few minutes each day, but his perseverance has paid off.

My friend’s example got me thinking about the compound effect and I pulled out the audiobook once more (since I loaned my friend the paperback version). Something struck me on this listen, though. Isn’t that how it always goes? We discover new points to books we enjoy by rereading them?

Anyway, the author stated, “The compound effect is always working. It’s either working for you, or it’s working against you.”

It’s a simple principle, but I never considered it working against me. I always focused on my good habits, but what about my bad habits? I’ve got more than my share, such as:

- The two hours plus of nightly Netflix binging after a long day at the office when I could be editing the next Cozy Up book.

- Those seemingly harmless chocolates or Cheetos which don’t seem harmless when I get on the scale.

- The thirty minutes a day I lose while aimlessly scrolling through Facebook Reels. That time would be better spent doing almost anything else.

Ugh.

There are more bad habits, let me assure you. I’m just not in the mood to air all my dirty laundry here.

Anyway, I’m trying to get better and remove those bad habits. I’ll never be perfect, but I should strive for it.

What about you? How is the compound effect working for you? I’d love to hear you thoughts.

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