Time for Reset
August 2, 2021
It seems our world doesn’t agree on much, but one thing I believe we can agree on is that it has changed dramatically, and that causes stress. One of the common outcomes of stress is that you start looking for strategies to cope with your anxiety. Many common coping methods end up making the situation worse, though we are not aware of it as the effects are adding up.
People joke about the COVID-19 19 pounds. The truth is this period of time has changed us. We’ve developed new routines, new habits, even new physical shapes, and health. Some are good and some are bad. Some are serving you well, some are serving you poorly. If you’re like me, an honest evaluation will show that you have some of both.
If you have children, school will be starting this month. School performs an organizational service for us. It naturally forces us into some habits in order to make the family work. We have to get the kids up and off to school and get them back home. We must be more scheduled. Even though I don’t have school kids at home anymore, I still find back-to- school days as a naturally good time to pick up good habits I have let slide over the summer, eliminate bad habits I have picked up, and start entirely new ones that will benefit me. Habits are a really big deal. Look at what these people who have become great have said about the function of habits:
- “Our habits will make or break us. We become what we repeatedly do.” – Sean Covey
- “Forget inspiration. Habit will sustain you, whether you are inspired or not.” – Octavia Butler
- “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Rohm
- “Healthy habits are learned the same way as unhealthy ones—practice.” – Wayne Dyer
- “If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, start with the little things.” – Colin Powell
We are the sum of our habits. You can listen to the greatest podcasts and sermons and read the very best books. You can buy great tools and planners, but nothing will change until you change your habits. The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people 100% of the time is that successful people are willing to do what unsuccessful people don’t feel like doing.
Successful people go ahead and do it; unsuccessful people procrastinate, blame, and make excuses. Successful people develop habits. Unsuccessful people play it by ear most all of the time.
Instead of “going back to normal” and resuming life the way it used to be, I want to encourage you to take some time over the next few days and think about what you need and want to be and do. What would add up to a happier, more fulfilling, more impactful life for you and your family? Think it through and decide. Decide to reset your life for a new and improved future, not the same old life. Choose to develop the habits and routines that will get you to your preferred destination. Living a happier, healthier life is a great choice. Habits will get you there. And soon you will find that the things you initially didn’t want to do are core to your life and fulfillment.