This week, while going through some old notes, I found a short summary I wrote years ago about a book that had a deep impact on me: The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy. It felt like reading a confirmation of everything I’d already been doing—without even realising how powerful it was.
When I first read the book, something clicked. It was like someone had put into words everything I’d been doing instinctively. I even wrote an article back then, because the decision I had taken 11 years earlier—now validated by this book—showed me how meaningful small daily choices really are.
And today, after over a decade of living through those habits—with more experience, more lessons, and a deeper understanding of who I am—I felt the need to share this again. To reaffirm something I already knew: small habits change everything.
Why I still talk about these habits after all these years
Because they’re still with me.
Because they still work. Because even after moving countries, changing rhythms, reinventing myself more than once—those habits remained my anchor.
I still remember when I first started waking up at 4 a.m. Back then, I had three young children. I used to get up at 6 a.m., and the day would begin in chaos and end in exhaustion. I had no time for myself.
So I made myself a promise: wake up earlier and claim a little space for me. Time to move my body, to breathe, to reset. 4 a.m. was the only moment that allowed that.
I kept that habit for years, until I moved to Portugal. Life here is a little slower, so now I wake up at 5 a.m. But the routine remains. And that makes all the difference.
What The Compound Effect taught me (or reminded me)
The book helped me understand the why behind my habits. It confirmed that small, repeated actions have a powerful cumulative impact.
The idea is simple:
It’s not the big decisions that shape your life.
It’s the small ones you repeat daily—often without even noticing.
- What you eat.
- What you say to yourself.
- Whether you move or stay still.
- Whether you scroll or read.
- Whether you delay or show up.
Each tiny choice adds up. Over time, they build momentum. That momentum either carries you forward—or pushes you off track.
Hardy illustrates this with relatable examples. He talks about three friends: one makes small positive changes, one stays the same, and one slides into unhealthy habits. At first, they look identical. But over time, the gap between them becomes massive.
I remember reading that and thinking: That’s exactly what’s happening to me.
My daily routine (that’s been with me for over a decade)
Here’s what has helped me stay grounded, healthy and purpose-driven for the past 11 years:
- 5:00 a.m. – Wake up
- 5:15 a.m. – Meditate (sometimes in silence, sometimes with guidance)
- 5:45 a.m. – Exercise while listening to a podcast, then run 5 km
- 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast (intentional, slow)
- 9:30 a.m. – Learn something new
- 10:00 a.m. – Start work
It might look simple. But it changed everything for me.
Not because I’m perfect—there are days I skip it, weeks I reset—but because I made a choice. And I keep making it.
Success is (a little) boring
One of the most powerful takeaways from The Compound Effect is this:
Success often looks boring.
We think success is fireworks. Big launches. Viral posts. Overnight wins.
But really? It looks like doing the same little thing every day—especially when no one’s watching.
For me, it’s meditating when I’d rather sleep.
Reading when my brain wants to scroll.
Choosing rest over stress.
Choosing connection over distraction.
None of it is glamorous. But it’s what’s made me stronger, more focused, more aligned.
When I saw no results (and kept going anyway)
There were plenty of times when I thought: Is this even working?
I didn’t feel more productive after a few early mornings.
I wasn’t “enlightened” after one meditation.
I didn’t feel stronger after a week of workouts.
But I kept going.
Because Hardy reminded me: the compound effect works in silence.
You don’t see results instantly. You don’t notice much after a month.
But if you stop too early, you’ll never see what’s possible.
Habits that changed everything
Aside from waking up early, here are a few simple habits that made a big impact:
Checking in with myself: every morning I ask, “How am I?” That question has saved me from burnout many times.
Celebrating small wins: I’ve learned to cheer for the little steps—not just the big ones.
Surrounding myself with doers: my community keeps me inspired.
Letting go of perfection: some days, I don’t follow my routine. That’s okay. Progress beats perfection.
And you? What habits are shaping your life?
Because here’s the thing:
The compound effect works both ways.
- That snooze button becomes three.
- That negative thought becomes a pattern.
- That skipped workout becomes a habit.
- That harsh self-talk becomes a belief.
No judgement. We all have them. But becoming aware is the first step.
That’s why one of Hardy’s top tools is tracking.
Track your time. Your habits. Your thoughts.
Even if just for a few days.
Because you can’t change what you don’t see.
When life gets messy (and habits hold you together)
- Life isn’t linear.
- I’ve had years that flowed and years that hurt.
- I’ve changed countries, careers, relationships. I’ve reinvented myself more than once.
- But my habits were always there.
- Not perfect. Not always in order. But they were my anchor.
Each time I returned to them, I returned to myself.
If you’re just starting
If you’re thinking “I need this”, here’s what I’d say:
Start small.
Don’t change everything at once. Pick one habit. Just one.
Commit for 21 days.
Make it easy. Track it if you want. But most of all—show up.
Find your reason.
Don’t do it because someone online said so. Connect it to who you want to become.
Forgive yourself.
You’ll miss days. You’ll get off track. You’re human. Just come back. That’s what matters.
Questions I still ask myself
- What small habit has given me the biggest return?
- What habits might be quietly pulling me away from my goals?
- Who do I want to become—and what habit supports that version of me?
- Am I celebrating myself enough to keep showing up?
Why I’m sharing this now
Because I’m still learning. Still growing. Still showing up.
And because the world keeps telling us to go big, rush, hustle…
I want to remind you:
A slow, intentional life is still powerful.
You don’t need a dramatic transformation.
Just one small choice, today.
Then another tomorrow.
And another the next day.
That’s how you build a life. That’s how you build a legacy.
If you take one thing from this article, let it be this:
✨ Big change starts with small choices.
Start today.
Keep going.
You never know where those tiny steps might take you.
Thanks for reading me,
Jhamile Abuabara
www.jhamileabuabara.com