Transformed by habit

The vast majority of what we do is simply habit.

• We either pray or not as a function of habit
• We read our Bibles or not as a function of habit
• We go to church or not as a function of habit.

The writer of Hebrews warned that some people had gotten out of the habit of meeting with fellow believers—to everyone’s detriment. They didn’t intend to stop meeting together. They didn’t stop meeting together as an act of rebellion. They simply got out of the habit. Most of life is that way.

• Did you exercise today? If not, it is likely you have not formed the habit of exercise.
• Did you have a Quiet Time today? If not, is almost certain that you have not cemented the habit of Quiet Time.
• Are you giving regularly? No? Form a habit.
• Are you memorizing God’s Word? What a wonderful habit that is!

“Good habits are hard to form and easy to live with. Bad habits are easy to form and hard to live with.” They are more difficult to form than most people think. Do a google search for, “How long does it take to form a habit?” and you might find the answer, “21 days.” Read the fine print. Research shows it take far more than that—on the order of about two months.

Of course, if depends on what that habit is. Getting into the habit of eating ice cream is easier than getting into the habit of eating broccoli.

Here is the key to forming a habit:

• Set a low bar.
• Go for ruthless consistency.
• Get a long list of reasons why you want to establish the habit and what bad things will happen if you don’t.
• Take some friends with you.
• Overdetermine success.

I have just released a series of 13 lessons that go in depth into each of these principles. (One introductory lesson, and one lesson on each of the 12 principles.) If you are a member of Good Questions Lesson Subscription Service, you already have access to these lessons. If not, they will be available on Amazon soon.

Click here to access Transformed by... lessons.