I have written on habits many times over the years; it is a subject I return to over and over, because, without question our habits are critical to our success!
I absolutely agree with what Australian actor and author Frederick Matthias Alexander once said: “People do not decide their futures; they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures.”
Think about it….
A recent college grad dreams of being an entrepreneur… so she starts the habit of reading a new best-selling business book every month, and listening to strategic podcasts and TED talks during her daily commute to her current entry-level job.
A married couple dreams of retiring early and using their time to volunteer and bring change to their community… but they never make a habit of careful budgeting or consistently investing in their retirement fund.
A stay-at-home mom dreams of raising children who grow to become intelligent, creative, and kind adults… so she nurtures the daily habit of conducting insightful conversations, reading delightful and engaging books, and encouraging creative play and discovery.
A young man dreams of a future as an engineer… but he spends his evenings playing video games or spending time on his phone, never making a habit of devoting extra time to studying math and science.
A middle-aged man recovering from a heart attack dreams of being able to be there for his kids and grandkids for years to come… so he develops the habit of eating healthier and exercising a little every day.
Each of these individuals dreams of a particular future, yet the future they hope for is directly affected by the choices they make and habits they create now. The same is true for me and you and everyone! If we want to choose our best future, we must first choose the right habits.
What future do you want for yourself? What habits do you need to choose to help you get there? Remember, we are slaves to our habits… and they determine our future!
