Friday, March 10, 2023
Those who understand compounded interest, understand the nature of greatness. The notion of an “overnight success” is misleading. When someone does something big, and gets recognized for it, it’s easy to assume that this just “happened,” in a flash. Occasionally it does. One-hit-wonders and lottery winners popup everyday. But genuine and lasting greatness is carefully mined through diligence, not catapulted by explosive sensationalism.
Greatness is a discipline. You incrementally work towards success. Learn something new, for just 5 minutes. Do 4 pushups. Read 2 pages. Write 50 words. Save $6. Practice your instrument for 30 minutes. The mind hates the first step of a 1,000 mile journey. The mind loves to see the so-called finished product. No-one likes small increments, but everyone likes a hero’s welcome. Have you ever tried to just enjoy the small, building-blocks of your own greatness? That’s the secret of being great, knowing how it really works.
It took billions of years to create you, not just the nine months you spent in your mother’s womb. The universe seems to enjoy taking its good-old time. Instantaneous tycoons fall faster than they rise. They’re like weeds. They may grow fast, but the root system is shallow. The rosebush is more lasting and impressive, but it takes a while. Greatness contains micro-layers of success, which are slow, methodical, and precise. You become a more enlightened being with each tiny effort that you make, and at that level, it’s joyful. Very few see this truth. They just want to start big, be big, and finish big. You cannot circumvent the micro-nature of real greatness. Reality moves slower than your mind, so work in smaller segments, take your good-old time, and be happy. Relax, your compounded effort, daily joy, and diligent progress will eventually pay big dividends. Greatness takes time, sensationalism is but a house of cards ready to collapse.