Finding focus, commitment, and joy can feel like chasing our shadows in a world swirling with distractions and demands.
For me, the key is intentional habits woven into daily routines. These small, consistent rhythms have opened up opportunities to be effective in areas that matter most. Of course, things don’t always go as expected. Like most people, I stumble, get lazy, skip habits, and face setbacks–but dedication to the process keeps me on track. I occasionally glance up at the summit to get my bearings, but I have found the real work is clearing the best path amid the mundane.
What about you? We all have habits, conscious or not–what ones move you toward your dreams and desires?
Here are five that have reshaped my life, plus one.
- Health
- Give your body the best chance to give you its fullest potential. I aim for 7-8 hours of sleep, drink water throughout the day, and hit some form of cardio, weights, or a hike most days. I mainly eat healthy but also enjoy a good burger, fries, or a cookie when I want one–balance, not deprivation, is my key.
- Alarm
- Start your day on purpose and with discipline. My alarm is set for 5 a.m., and I never hit snooze. Most mornings are hard, but I’ve already committed to a morning routine. I give myself one (sometimes two) alarm-free mornings weekly—Saturdays, and occasionally Sundays.
- Books
- Keep your brain engaged and spark your imagination. I read many genres of books for inspiration and encouragement–biographies, fiction, non-fiction, history, and more. Even 15 minutes a day (1 page per minute) would mean reading 14-22 books yearly. I’m re-reading the Arthurian legends by Roger Lancelyn Green and recently applied one lesson in a GAP class.
- Integrity
- Build trust by aligning your words with your actions. Give yourself the best chance to succeed by making decisions before you have to make decisions—no double life and no secret unconfessed sin. This has kept me out of dark places and helped me avoid many temptations.
- Time
- Give your life the best opportunity to achieve your desires by stewarding your time. I bookend my day with routines and am guided by an ideal week. Sticking to this has freed up my mind and allowed me to stay disciplined.
Plus one:
- Smile
- Learn to laugh at yourself. Challenges abound, but finding something to laugh at–like watching chickens run around in your backyard–keeps you grounded. Gratitude in light of God’s sovereign grace appropriates any difficulty.
Moses’ words in Psalm 90 sum things up: “So teach us to consider our mortality, so that we might live wisely” (NET).
Habits and routines are no guarantee and are not a silver bullet for all our challenges, but they’re tools to give us better opportunities for true success. What’s one habit you can add to your life this week?
— April 3, 2025