Why habits are important   Habits are what make up our lives, and the reason LOOKING at them is so important right now is because we are at the Up and Comers stage of life.   If we don't focus on what defines our life, we will fall into one of two alternatives:

1. Detachment and surrender - “do my time”; “the system can’t be changed”; “don’t have enough responsibility to make an impact”; minimal effort required to cash the paycheck - mentality
2. Overly ambitious and scatterbrained - “get rich quick”; “follow your passion”; application without solidification (sustainability)

  Developing "right" habits (ones based on longterm goals and time-proven wisdom)   And it all must be tied to your ultimate purpose/meaning in life!

• “How you do anything is how you do everything.” 
• When it is disconnected, the habits will eventually die off

    The definition of habits   Merriam Webster — "7 a : a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance b : an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary"
      The Description of Habits: how they shape the way we live our personal lives   Thane's Habits    

• Reflection (journaling specifically; started out during professional golf as catalyst for growth and has become a keystone for all ares of life)
• Meditation (my mind is constantly going/planning; this practice has provided the most “unseen” benefit throughout all of life - allows me to be more fully present)
• Fitness/Exercise (generates energy, positivity, motivation, and longevity in all areas of life - even helps improve sleep!)
• Purpose-driven pursuits (connecting all I do to my “why” - aka the gospel)
• Starting and ending the day in God’s Word

  Adam's Habits  

• Reading Bible in AM (keystone bcs foot soak, reading theology, studying the original languages all come too)
• Pray on the way to work (keystone bcs it gets me in that mindset and I schedule my day with God in mind)
• Clearing out inboxes in AM (keystone bcs I plan day in calendar and to-do list software, adding in emails to respond to, and review what I did yesterday; as well as saving articles for review for newsletter, which I do in downtime at work; asking myself the Ben Franklin question)
• Read after supper (25 pages per day min outside of seminary, which gets jumpstarted then (vs tv))
• Journal at night (to review, asking myself the Ben Franklin question)
• Exercise (walk, yoga, weights, etc. which is keystone to maintaining diet and health focus)

  Persuasion: GET STARTED     For the full show notes, check out theupandcomersshow.com/episodes/habits