3 Things I’ve Learned About Building Habits That Actually Last

You’re someone who’s interested in genuine change. Change that goes beyond the January hype.

And you are absolutely capable of doing something new in your life.
Is it hard? Sure.
But here’s some truth about you: you can do hard things.

I’m personally not a huge fan of the January noise, but I am a fan of developing daily habits that make me healthier and kinder to the people around me.

Before we get to the three things I’ve learned, there’s something more important that needs to be said first.

Never Question Your Value

Your value is not found in your habits.
Your value is not found in your transformation.
Your value is found in Jesus.

He loves you right now, exactly as you are.

Daily disciplines are good things. They can help you enjoy your life more and live in healthier ways. But the moment they become a way to measure our worth, they lose their value entirely.

Nothing you do—or fail to do—changes how much you are loved.
Period.

Now, with that firmly in place, here are a few things I’ve learned.

1. Don’t Ask How You Feel. Just Do It.

Feelings are terrible managers.

If I only prayed, exercised, read my Bible, or went to work when I felt like it… well, I’m not saying I’d never do those things but once a week would be enough. 

One of the worst things we do when starting a new discipline is check in with our feelings first. That’s a huge mistake.

Whatever habit you’re trying to build, don’t ask yourself if you want to do it. Just do it.

(Yes, Nike was right all those years ago.)

This is from the Bible reading plan I use.  It's from this little, amazing book.

2. Have a Plan.

You wouldn’t start a road trip without checking the GPS first.
And you shouldn’t start a new habit without a plan.

Getting yourself to the gym is hard enough. What are you going to do once you get there?

A plan acts like a map. It removes the mental load. There’s nothing to figure out in the moment. You just show up and do the next right thing.

My Bible time works the same way. I don’t just sit down and flip it open. I use a book that guides me through daily readings, so the decision is already made before I sit down.

Seeing Santa at the gym is a possible short-term benefit*.

*Not guaranteed.

3. Enjoy the Short-Term Benefits.

When people talk about exercise, they usually focus on the long-term benefits: weight loss, bone density, cardiovascular health.

All good things.
All things that take time.
And let’s be honest—bone density isn’t exactly motivating.

Instead, think small.

I exercise because I feel better afterward and sleep better at night. Morning time with my Bible makes me more loving and patient with the people I encounter during the day.

Once I started noticing those short-term benefits, it became much easier to keep going.

And here’s the funny thing: even when you focus on the short-term, the long-term benefits show up eventually anyway.

Bonus: Forgive Yourself.

You're not perfect. Neither am I. No one is. 

You will miss workouts. You will miss a Bible study. Life will get in the way.

That’s okay.

Let it go and move on. Lasting change isn’t about never falling down. It’s about getting back up every time you do.