When we have conversations about habits, it is rarely about developing good habits. Those conversations usually begin at the other end of the spectrum. And that’s why habits get a bad wrap. They often get described as “nasty,” “bad,” or “terrible” habits that are unhealthy, unproductive or even destructive.
It’s unfortunate because they can, in fact, be good. And that’s why we should all get into a habit of intentionally developing good habits – I know you see what I did there. 😉
Developing Good Habits is important for progressing in spiritual character. Here’s how focusing on less can help you achieve more.
One Change to my Work Habits Made Me More Productive
Here’s an example of developing good habits – one I developed recently. At my job, I’ve historically made one big list of everything I have to do. It’s a good discipline… it helps me get it all in one place and prevents me from forgetting to do some of the tasks. Nothing is out of mind.
Interestingly, the sheer fact that nothing is out of mind and that everything – and I mean EVERYTHING – is staring me in the face is a problem. You see, when I have that big list, I have no way of compartmentalizing my workload. Prioritizing is more difficult, I’m prone to inefficient multitasking and I get a tendency to freeze because I can’t decide what needs my attention.
I tried to use highlights, different doodles and symbols to indicate what needed my full attention on that big list. The problem, though, was that my priorities (and desire to work on different tasks depending upon my mood) would change. Before long, I had nothing but a messy list of doodles and unfinished tasks.
Then, I learned about the Ivy Lee Method and James Clear’s website. In a nutshell, Ivy Lee took a whole fifteen minutes to teach Charles M. Schwab and his executives how to be more effective. It worked incredibly well. I put it into practice for myself and have seen similar results. It’s led to my “big to-do list” getting its tasks crossed off faster and has made me a more productive employee.
Simply put, prioritize your six most important tasks and work through each one until finished. Then do six more. And then six more. The process is so simple, it’s almost embarrassing to admit that I didn’t think of it myself.
Crush Bad Habits Before They Crush You
We live in a world that has come to accept addiction and often makes “harmless” jokes about obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Truthfully though, those are not things to laugh about. They destroy. And we allow them to do it.
I have always had OCD-like behaviors but never what someone would say is full-blown. I grew up in an environment of addiction and found myself blowing all my paper route money on baseball cards, comic books and my favorite candy. Harmless fun, right? That’s true right up to the point where you are buying more than you are making.
Yep, I developed an in-debt experience at the wise age of twelve years and it nearly cost me my job. Fortunately, I was able to work my way back to the positive side of the ledger and I learned the value of work first hand. I also learned the dangers of addiction in the process.
Though I cannot say that I have ever been a mark for some of the more destructive habits like drugs and alcohol, I did have a terrible habit with energy drinks that made me feel like a junkie. I craved the magic elixir and sometimes found myself sneaking off to get my “fix.”
I wanted to stop, but couldn’t. Finally, one day, I simply quit.
My heart and my wallet are thanking me to this very day. You see, 2-3 energy drinks per day can run about $4 on average. That’s about $1,500 per year and God only knows the level of damage it causes your body.
Develop good habits. Give up those that are not so good.
Biblical Application of Habit Forming
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NLT)
While Peter is giving us an outstanding list of character qualities to pursue, these are qualities of building up our Christian identities. It’s important to note that this list contains a series of six attributes (that’s right… SIX POINTS OF FOCUS) that progressively builds upon the others. A great cycle of continued growth follows. However, these qualities don’t just happen. You must intentionally cultivate them into your life. You must partner with God to earnestly get in sync with his working in your life.
You must be in the good habit of developing good habits.