Winning the Day: How the Compound Effect Drives Success One Step at a Time

I haven’t been feeling my best these past few days. To be honest, I’ve felt a little flat. There’s no specific reason for it, and I’m not trying to find one (which, for me, is a big step forward). My usual tendency to label or make sense of every emotion or behavior hasn’t been helpful. Sometimes, things just are the way they are—and that’s okay. It’s part of being human.

What’s been interesting, though, is my "monkey mind"—that little voice perched on my shoulder, constantly chirping criticisms about my indecision and distractions. Right now, it’s doing everything it can to undermine my goals, dreams, and ambitions. But no matter how loud it gets, it won’t win. I’ve decided this is a game I refuse to lose.

This got me thinking: How do I keep winning on days like these? How do I know I’m still making progress when even the good things happening around me fail to shake off that looming imposter syndrome?

The answer lies in the compound effect of good habits. Success, I’ve learned, comes from simply showing up and putting in the work—no matter how small. Each tiny step brings me closer to my goals, and that’s a win. Even if I only take one small step today, I’m still further ahead than I was yesterday. And that’s progress.

This approach frustrates my monkey mind to no end, which only makes it more satisfying. Even as I write this, that voice is telling me it’s a waste of time, that no one will care about my thoughts or read my words. But by typing these words, I’m giving a metaphorical two fingers to that voice. Every keystroke is a victory.

So, on days like these (and we all have them), just show up. Do one rep. If that feels manageable, do another. The point is, you’re moving forward—and that, in itself, is a huge win in this journey we call life.

If this resonates with you, check out any episode of Extrology for more stories and insights on how ordinary people overcome challenges and take small steps toward big transformations.