Work the System

Last week at middle school camp I had a plan for running before the campers got up. There were two fellow runners on our camp staff and we all agreed to meet at 5:30 am to run 5-6 miles together. As I was walking back to my cabin the night before we were supposed to run, I told my friend that I might not have committed to it without my running partners.

I was in the middle of stretching the next morning shortly after 5 am when the first text message came in letting me know one of our running group wasn't going to make it. I kept stretching after sending a quick response, but only had to wait a few minutes before my other partner bowed out. At this point I could have changed clothes and put the run off for another day, but I was already committed to the process of getting ready. Having already taken a few steps in the right direction gave me the impetus to follow through.

I like to go with the flow of things, but sometimes having a process of steps also helps to keep me focused. Having some idea of what I should be doing and the order I should do it in can give me the motivation to keep moving forward when I might falter. Sticking with some routines of preparation and planning create an opportunity to develop discipline and to keep doing the right things.

Missing Element

It's been an interesting week. I feel as if my focus has been pulled in several different directions and while I have been busy, I haven't accomplished very much. I've actually found myself being a bit grumpy throughout the week and have had to apologize to people.

I couldn't quite put my finger on the source of my unrest until this morning. I tweaked my knee last week and haven't been able to run with the regularity I am used to. It wasn't until I (joyfully) hit the streets this morning that I realized how much I had missed running. In just a few months it has become a vital part of who I am and what I do. It relieves stress while pushing me to stay focused on healthy living. Running improves my outlook and makes me feel better about myself. This is my natural method of mood regulation, health building, and sharpening of focus.

Running may not work for everyone (I obviously advocate some form of exercise), but we each need to discover what revitalizes us. It just may be the missing element in our daily routine that keeps us balanced while giving us an outlet for the energy created in the hectic pace of life.

Get/Got

Forming new habits isn't easy, but developing new, healthy patterns is the only way to grow. These new rhythms of thinking and behavior help us maintain focus on our goals while giving us the strength to keep pushing forward. They end up helping us continue to do what is right even when our will power is weak and our rationalizations for abandonment are strong. They shift our emphasis from something that we've "got" to do to something that we "get" to do. That is the moment that we find pleasure in sticking to our transformed lifestyle and want to do whatever it takes to see it continue.

What new habits are you developing that will eventually become a positive engagement instead of dreary discipline?

Out of a Rut

I am a man of routines. There are certain ways that I like to do things and specific habits that are important to me. Most of it centers around the way that I do simple day-to-day things, but there are also other routines that bring stability to the way that I process and plan.

As important as these routines are to me I have also found that I need to change things up on a regular basis. It stimulates me to look at things in a different light and at an adjusted pace. When I only stay in the rut of routine my personal meditation time can become dry and rote. I can continue to do the right things, but they lack the vitality that is necessary to see the greatest impact. I know this is true for me and need to remind myself to shake it up to find the balance of regular rhythm & unique approach.

It's the pairing of discipline with creativity that allows me to find the best productivity and enjoyment.

Changing Discipline

Change of Pace + Change of Place = Change of Perspective

This is one of my favorite quotes(credit to Mark Batterson) and I use it to help break out of ruts and find new life in routines. The key is balancing the need for change with the importance of discipline. I won't find success if I give up on doing the right thing consistently, but I might find new energy and renewed focus when I alter the pattern of it. In fact, the rejuvenation I find reminds me of why I started doing it in the first place.  

Setting the Pace

We are in Florida visiting my family for a couple of days--it's always good to have a full house & spend time with each other. I got up early this morning & spent some time reading and drinking coffee (as I usually do) before heading down to their exercise room. After biking I was sitting outside cooling off and was reflecting on the idea of establishing a healthy rhythm. It's something that is not always easy to do, but I am convinced is essential for health and productivity.

This isn't just about finding regularity in your routines. I firmly believe it's a matter of operating within your strengths to maximize fulfillment in your life. It's the discipline of creating time for your family to thrive, engaging in physical activity to increase health, developing spiritual devotion, and investing time in growing our natural abilities for true fulfillment. It's a conscious effort to rearrange our lives around the most healthy rhythm for growth.