The Importance of Habits

If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude. – Colin Powell

Have you ever thought about the habits that you have? Most people don’t and I can say for a long time that I didn’t. How important are habits, they are the key to changing your life. They can help you become a better person, a better spouse, father, employee or boss. The opposite is also true. Your habits could be keeping you in the same place. The habits that you have now may have gotten you a comfortable life, but they also may be keeping you in that comfort. Habits are very important.

Life Assessment
Morning Routine

My Writing Habit

There have been a couple of times where I have tried to form a new habit with my writing. It’s on my heart to write two books this year. I know that to get those accomplished I need to actually sit down and write. One thing that I’ve learned is that I need a daily writing habit. My goal is writing  500 words a day. That is why most of my articles are right around that length.

The reason that my books aren’t completed is because I haven’t been consistent in my writing. I have a morning routine and have written about the importance of a writing routine, but I still haven’t stuck to it lately. These ups and downs with my writing habit do show me the importance of habits.

Want to know how important habits are? Here are some stats

The Importance of Habits

  • Almost half of the actions you perform each day are habits.
  • Habits are powerful because of neurological cravings.
  • When a habit emerges, the brain stops fully participating in decision making
  • The automatization of your actions free up energy that can be used focus to other tasks.
  • Take control over your habits: Your brain can’t tell the difference between bad and good habits.

 

The general rule is that it takes 21 Days to start a new habit. The struggle for most of us , myself included, is that we can do good for a couple of days and then it just takes one day to mess up everything and we feel like we have to start all over again.

21 Days to a new Habit...what's holding you back Click To Tweet

Habits are vitally important to us. From the above list, we can see how much of what we do is based on habits.

How often do you think about the route that you take to work? Do you think about the route when you take the kids to school? What about the start of your work day?

The good news is that we can change our habits. We can improve and go from where we are to where we want to be. It’s not about changing the big things in our lives but about changing the things we do on a daily basis.

 

7 Fall Date Ideas

Fall is Coming

The seasons are about to change. Depending on what part of the country you’re in they may have already started. Here comes Fall!! We won’t speak of the white stuff that comes after…let’s focus on this upcoming season. I wanted to give you some great date ideas that you can begin to think about and plan for this upcoming season.

One the dates that my wife and I went on that I didn’t think I would enjoy to the degree that I did was a dancing lesson. It got me out of my comfort zone a little bit, but it was one of the best times that we’ve had together. Here are seven date ideas that you can do with your spouse:

Date Ideas

  1. Take a cooking class. A new season is a great opportunity to having some bonding time together and nothing bonds people better than food. Have fun, enjoy it and you might even have Thanksgiving special.

 

  1. Have a picnic in the country. The leaves are changing. Pack a meal to go and find some country space or a park bench. The changing leaves provide a great background to a quiet time together.

 

  1. Light that fireplace. Pop some popcorn. Get your favorite beverages, a nice movie and light that fire place. Get close and enjoy the fire.

 

  1. Make home made candied apples. There are so many variations that you can do here. Have fun, try something new.

 

  1. Take a long drive. There’s just something about a long drive that opens the conversation between both of you. Drive through the countryside, see the leaves change. Stop when and where you want to. Just enjoy the drive.

 

  1. Go on a hayride. Tis the season. There may even be a pumpkin patch or corn maze attached. Get a cup of cider and enjoy it all..

 

  1. Go to a Fall Festival. It’s the time of year and there will be plenty to choose from. Enjoy the food, festivities, and various activities.

Just Spend Time Together

No matter what the season, no matter the day, you can continue to date your spouse. Our marriages should be filled with great dates and creating memories. Will every single day be filled with something magical and special? No, that’s not realistic. This isn’t a Disney movie where we all are singing and seemingly don’t have to work, but our marriages can be what we dream them to be. They can be our comfort space. We can look forward to spending time with our spouse. They can truly be our best friend. The way we go from where we are right now to the marriage of our dreams is through dating our spouse.

 

Discussion Question:

What dates are you looking forward to planning this fall?

 

Spring is Here

flowers

It’s a New Season

Spring is here!! And it’s about time. Sometimes the winter months can be long and can take a toll on us mentally and emotionally. Just like the grass and flowers have new growth for the new season, this is the perfect time to breathe some fresh air and life into our marriages. Does your marriage need a refresh? I’m a firm believer that just like we do spring cleaning every year our relationships need to have that refreshing.

Quality Time & Road Trips

Spring means the ending of the school year and graduation season is upon us. My wife and I went to her friend’s graduation. This was road trip to Chicago to support someone who is important to her. Besides, I always enjoy a good road trip. With two children under the age of four, it can make for interesting road trips. When the kids went to sleep my wife and I were able to enjoy the rest of the trip just like when we were dating. It’s a couple of hours of us driving, talking, and laughing. It is truly one of the best things for a quality time person such as myself. It’s like a refresher for us and a chance to solidify our connection.

I shared this story to show that we need those moments from time to time where we need those opportunities to reconnect. Spring is the sign that new life is coming out from the doldrums of winter. The same can be with our marriages and relationships. Here are three date ideas that will help to spark some new life into our marriages.

Date Ideas

Road Trips 

the great thing about road trips is that you don’t need a specific destination or a lot of money. Just get in the car and go. Hit the highway in any direction and see where it takes you. Being in a car with someone forces you into an intimate time. You’re too close to in proximity to be distanced mentally and emotionally. Enjoy the road and enjoy each others company.

Go to the beach for your own spring break 

While the water may not be ready for you to swim in, pretend you’re dating again and pack a picnic full of all your favorites. Hit the beach or your favorite spot that has a great view and enjoy your picnic.

Pick a book for this season 

How often do you and your spouse read a book together?  Do you like fiction? Does he like nonfiction? Does he like sci-fi while you like romance?  What about finding a book you both will love? Take some time and find a book you’ll both enjoy, then read you’ll be able to talk about it together over dinner or a nice night walking.

What do you like to do in the spring to breathe life into your marriage?