Personal Growth Requires Consistent Habits

We have this thing in our house called “ten-minute activities.” Six days a week during the summer our three kids are to spend at least ten minutes on activities addressing these four areas: spiritual, academic, skill-building, and service-oriented growth. Our goal is for each to grow in these areas but also to learn that consistent habits (good ones, that is) are the key to healthy, successful living.

The kids have freedom to choose how they spend their time. The guidelines are minimal. We want them to be creative and even have fun. Our two oldest play competitive soccer, so for skill-building they might play “ball against a wall,” compete one-on-one, or juggle the ball. If they want to mix it up, they’ll do planks, push-ups and sprints for athletic improvement. They choose, and it pays off. They are technically proficient from years of training on their own when most kids just go to scheduled practices. Our youngest plays sports recreationally but his mind is geared towards creativity and building. He most often chooses to play with Legos for his skill-building activity, and I’m good with that. Get better at what you love.

Reading the Bible, reading recreationally, messing with math apps, chores around the house — these all fit into the four categories named above. Consistency develops the growth. My grandpa once told me if I wanted to become a good golfer (which I’m not), I’ll improve far more by hitting balls a few minutes every day than playing 18 holes for five hours once a month. I may not have applied it to golf, but I did not miss his point.

In the same way that bad habits can lead us where we don’t want to go, good habits can lead us to success. Our priorities and actions need to align. With regard to finances, people often want to become financially successful, but many are simply waiting for a windfall of some sort (promotion, inheritance, lottery, stock option explosion, etc.). What they need to be doing right now is identifying their goals, chipping away at them, and focusing their decisions towards these outcomes. This is financial planning.

Jesus said in Luke, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.”

Instant wealth is usually squandered away because good habits have not been developed. Simply having money does not improve decision-making. If anything, it hinders it when there is no foundation in place. Financial success is determined and maintained with consistent habits and a pattern of sound decision-making.

Seeking advice from a spouse or trusted friends can provide guidance as to where you should focus, but only you can establish the necessary habits or disciplines. If it’s in the financial realm, maybe you need to start saving for retirement or stop spending on your credit cards. If it’s diet or exercise — you may already know what habits will help. Maybe it’s a personal perspective issue — do you need to learn to be content or more thankful? Offering thanks every day for specific things can do wonders for this. Whatever it is …

Ten minutes a day may be all it takes!

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This does not constitute an investment recommendation. Investing involves risk. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Consult your financial advisor for what is appropriate for you. See our website at onedegreeadvisors.com for full disclosures.