“For our own success to be real, it must contribute to the success of others.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Have you ever experienced fresh joy in your life over something commonplace? For instance, using electricity, flying through the sky in a metal can, or simply locomoting? What about compound interest? Have you ever considered the amazingness that is compound interest? Recently, we received a text message from one of our children who was overjoyed at the impact of compound interest in her bank account. It read, I received $800 in interest last year! It's like free money! Why didn't you have me do this sooner?!
Compound interest is an amazing invention, the history of which goes back to the Sumerians, the concept being that interest gained is added to the balance; interest is then calculated based upon that new balance! Over the long run, it's the gift that just keeps on giving, and the smart investor works the compound interest angle to his or her advantage.
Compound interest is not only a financial concept. It works in life, as well. Discovering our identity is a worthy pursuit, but does not go far enough. Building our community is a needed antidote to the epidemic of American loneliness; however, it runs the risk of becoming stagnant. We receive a better return on investment when we invest our identities and our communities in the lives of others.
For our own success to be real, it must contribute to the success of others (Eleanor Roosevelt).
Investing my unique identity and unique community answers this question--How do I take WHO I am, along with WHAT my community is, and make those meaningful? The meaning comes when I have paid that hard work forward. Otherwise, there really is no ROI for all of that work. The investment of your unique life into others compounds on itself, building a larger and larger balance of purpose and meaning.
I recently chatted with a long-time pastor. He told me of a Bible study group he founded about 20 years ago. It lasted about 3 years; once he moved on, it disbanded. However, a former member contacted him in the last year to ask about restarting it. This member contacted several of the former members and some new members as well, and that community has resurrected itself! An investment begun several years ago is returning dividends 20 years later.
How do you make that happen in your life?
First, begin clarifying your own unique identity.
Second, start building your community.
Third, ask yourself this question: Where can I invest my unique identity and community into the following?
Work
Relationships
Education
Future (Where I see myself in 5/10/20 years)
Others who need a sense of identity and community
In what ways will you push inward, outward, and forward to help others succeed? When you do this, you will begin practicing life-giving leadership.
