I have a poem I came across I’d like to share with you…

I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half of the things you do you might just as well turn over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.

I am easily managed – you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons, I will do it automatically. I am the servant of all great individuals and, alas, of all failures, as well. Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures.

I am not a machine, though I work with the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a human. You may run me for profit or run me for ruin – it makes no difference to me.

Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you.

Who am I?

I am a HABIT.

A habit can be your greatest asset or your worst liability. It can work for you or completely against you. The fact is, our life is built from habits. We are what we habitually do. Our choices and actions are embedded deep within our habits. If you want to change your life start with changing your habits. According to Charles Duhigg in his amazing book The Power Of Habit he gives us the habit loop…CUE…ROUTINE…REWARD…Back To CUE.

We are cued by triggers that cause us to go into our habitual routines, giving us the reward we expect, which then reinforces our cues/triggers in the future. In order to change our results we have to change how we enter the habit loop. Here are some (not all) life areas we need to make sure are in the right loop…

1. Our Thinking Habits

Our thoughts will either propel us or persecute us…the choice is ours alone. If you don’t create great thinking habits you will never create a better future. This means we must be very protective of what our mind is allowed to compute. If we are constantly filling it with fear, doubt, and unbelief we will produce those exact things. We must fill our thoughts with faith, trust, and hope in order to produce better results. Get into the Word of God and let His power fill your mind.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

2. Our Relational Habits

Our relationships with others effect us more than we care to admit. Who we surround ourselves with will determine more about our future than not. We must build good conversational habits that are constructive and not destructive. We can’t allow our communication to get toxic about ourselves or others. Let encouragement and praise come from your relationships and you will see much fruit as a result.

Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

3. Our Health Habits

Our productivity is directly related to our physical, spiritual, and emotional health. If we allow our bodies to get tired, lazy, and run-down it will effect every other area of our life. Optimal health is a responsibility we must embrace. We can’t make excuses about our health. If we want to create a healthy life-style we have to embrace good habits that will enhance us and not sabotage us. Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep, make sure you are eating right, make sure you are taking time off to rejuvenate, and make sure you are active.

I Corinthians 6:19-20

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price.Therefore honor God with your bodies.

What areas do you need to change your habits in? Write them down and get a plan to change the loop.