Your future is hidden inside your habits.
What you repeatedly do…
You eventually become.
The question is:
Are your habits helping you or hurting you?
I am going to borrow part of the story of Hercules to make a point about habits.
Whether the story is legend, myth, or history is not important for today’s discussion.
The lesson is.
When Hercules was a small child, his mother required that he complete his chores before breakfast.
One of those chores was unusual.
Every morning he had to lift a baby calf above his head four times.
Only then was breakfast served.
Day after day.
Week after week.
Month after month.
The baby calf grew.
The calf became a young cow.
The young cow became a full-grown animal.
But Hercules kept lifting.
The animal grew stronger.
So did Hercules.
Eventually he became known for extraordinary strength.
A habit had become a destiny.
GOOD HABITS BUILD YOU
Most people underestimate the power of repetition.
What you repeatedly do eventually becomes automatic.
You no longer think about it.
You simply do it.
Good habits work quietly in the background building character, discipline, confidence, and results.
The amazing part is they rarely demand much effort after they become established.
They simply become part of who you are.
BAD HABITS DO THE SAME THING
Unfortunately, bad habits operate under the exact same rules.
They begin small.
Harmless.
Barely noticeable.
Then they grow roots.
Soon they become automatic.
Soon they become normal.
Soon they become part of your identity.
The danger is that many people do not realize a bad habit is controlling them until the consequences arrive.
THE SUBCONSCIOUS WORKSHOP
Habits live in the subconscious mind.
They become programs.
Automatic responses.
Patterns.
Reactions.
Some serve us well.
Others slowly rob us.
That is why self-awareness is so important.
You cannot change what you refuse to notice.
GOOD HABITS
Some examples include:
- Practicing good manners.
- Driving safely and predictably.
- Being punctual.
- Keeping your commitments.
- Helping others without being asked.
- Listening more than you speak.
- Taking care of your health.
- Finishing what you start.
These habits create trust.
Trust creates opportunities.
BAD HABITS
Some examples include:
- Interrupting others.
- Chronic lateness.
- Speaking with your mouth full.
- Nail biting.
- Complaining excessively.
- Making excuses.
- Procrastination.
- Refusing responsibility.
These habits slowly weaken character and limit growth.
UGLY HABITS
Then there are habits that damage both the user and those around them.
These are the dangerous ones.
Examples include:
- Taking what does not belong to you.
- Lying.
- Cheating.
- Manipulating others.
- Ignoring boundaries.
- Constant anger.
- Addiction.
- Refusing correction.
Hospitals, prisons, courtrooms, and broken homes are filled with people whose ugly habits eventually took control.
BUILDING GOOD HABITS
Any athlete will tell you that muscles remember.
Train correctly and the body responds.
The same is true for life.
Repetition creates strength.
Consistency creates results.
Small actions repeated daily eventually become extraordinary outcomes.
BREAKING BAD HABITS
The first step is awareness.
Notice it.
Own it.
Stop defending it.
Stop excusing it.
Observe it without judgment.
The more aware you become, the weaker the habit becomes.
A bad habit thrives in darkness.
Awareness shines a light on it.
THE REAL QUESTION
The purpose of this post is not to make you feel guilty.
It is to make you curious.
What habits are shaping your life?
Which ones are helping?
Which ones are hurting?
Which ones need strengthening?
Which ones need retiring?
Every day you are building something.
The only question is what.
Take inventory.
Be honest.
Be willing to change.
Your habits are writing your future whether you realize it or not.
Choose wisely.
— Richie
Pearls for the Soul
when you feed the soul, you feed everything.
https://pearlsforthesoul.com
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