Compound Interest

Albert Einstein declared that the law of compound interest as, “the greatest mathematical discovery of all time.” I am not going to give a math lesson here, but I can think of no better way than to write about personal development and its impact on me and the human consciousness.

I have spent (well, my parents too – and the government) thousands of dollars on my two bachelor’s degrees as well as my master’s degree, teaching credential and an administrative credential. While I learned an enormous amount of information and definitely paid for the jobs of numerous professors, textbook publishers, as well as the maintenance of gorgeous university campuses and upkeep of the bureaucracy of higher learning, the money I have spent on developing myself, my thinking and my beliefs, in recent years has proven to be most valuable. *Disclaimer: I am NOT knocking higher education. I am an advocate of educating oneself to become a greater person, whatever that path may be. I also support lifelong learning – from whomever you can learn from, on anything you have the thirst for knowledge, and at any time in your life.

How does personal development relate to compound interest? What if you read one good book each month? After you read it, you are 1% better than you were the previous month. Then you go on to read another book the following month – you are not just going to get better 1%, but the percentage of the improvement in yourself from the month before. Month after month, the growth continues. After time, the acceleration of the growth in your thoughts, beliefs, words and actions becomes exponential. Believe me, you become virtually unrecognizable. The investment I have made in my greatest asset, my mind, has yielded the greatest returns. One caveat – my business mentor always reminds me… To know and not do is the same thing as not knowing. Action must be coupled with knowledge to truly create the life you desire.

Here is a list, in no particular order, of some of the most influential books, film and audio that have quenched my thirst for personal growth and transformation. It is a living and breathing list, always adding new titles. I encourage you to create your own.

Books

The Secret – Rhonda Byrne

Happy for No Reason  – Marci Shimoff

No Matter What – Lisa Nichols

The Last Lecture – Randy Pausch

Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind – T. Harv Eker

The Wealth Cure – Hill Harper

Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki

Leveraging the Universe – Mike Dooley

Infinite Possibilities – Mike Dooley

The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz

Spiritual Liberation – Michael Bernard Beckwith

Awaken the Giant Within – Anthony Robbins

Unlimited Power – Anthony Robbins

As a Man Thinketh – James Allen

You Can Heal Your Life – Louise Hay

Creating Affluence – Deepak Chopra

Seven Spiritual Laws of Success – Deepak Chopra

The Power of Now – Eckart Tolle

The 4 Hour Work Week – Tim Ferris

Unleashing the Idea Virus – Seth Godin

Stop Stealing Dreams – Seth Godin

How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – Steven Covey

Zero Limits – Joe Vitale

The Automatic Millionaire – David Bach

The Invitation – Oriah

The Wisdom of Our Fathers – Tim Russert

The Other Wes Moore – Wes Moore

Quiet Strength – Tony Dungy

The Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell

The Outliers – Malcolm Gladwell

The Laws of Money, The Lessons of Life – Suze Orman

21 Laws of Leadership – John Maxwell

Living an Exceptional Life – Jim Rohn

 

Fiction

The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

The Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom

Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert

The Shack – William Young

The Traveler – Daren Simkin

 

Movies

The Secret – Rhonda Byrne

You Can Heal Your Life – Louise Hay

Happy – Roko Belic

I Am – Tom Shadyuc

The Human Experience – Charles Kinnane

 

Audio

Building Your Network Marketing Business – Jim Rohn

Sales Success – Zig Ziglar

The Purpose Driven Life – Rick Warren

 

 

 

Dear Mr. President

As the 2012 election comes to a close – I thought it appropriate I post this letter I wrote to the President of the United States.

I wrote it shortly after visiting the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza and Sixth Floor Museum on a recent trip to Dallas, Texas. I was moved beyond words by the legacy he left. These words poured from me effortlessly on my flight home to San Francisco.

Whether you agree or disagree with results of last night’s election. It is foolish to think that either candidate – one man or one woman – can dictate your future. It is up to you, and only you.

Dear Mr. President,

It is with great sincerity that I congratulate you on your winning the office of the President of the United States. To have been elected by the American people in as the leader of the free world, is by far the most esteemed duty one can carry out for our country. I write you this letter today as a citizen, a mother, a woman, a budding entrepeneur, daughter, sister, lover, friend, seeker, teacher and learner. It will be filled with what I hope for you as you embark on your journey as the leader of our nation in the next four years.

To live in the future. Every decision that you make in the next 4 years will have the far and wide reaching impact, not just on the days following your election, but years and decades to come.

Practice compassion and forgiveness. You will set the tone for the nation as not only an economic, social, political and most importantly – a thought leader. Lead with compassion for others. Use forgiveness as the guidepost in all your dealings.

Express gratitude. Your example of the giving thanks to the millions of people who have made this country great will channel even more effort, love and abundance into making our nation even better.

Embody the greatness you are. All great leaders have vision. Share your vision to connect each of us not only as Americans, but humans. Many will look to you for their freedom and permission to be their greatest selves. You must be great first.

I pray that your term as president provides a model for our nation to serve one another. There is much uncertainty and angst that has spread across the minds and hearts of your people. I leave you with the prophetic words that will guide all of us in the next four years.

This is a time for boldness and energy. – John F. Kennedy

Upward,

Z.