Cultivating Good Habits

Habits have a huge impact on the way we live life. Lately, I’ve been examining the effects of my habits, trying to root out patterns of behaviour that have unproductive—even destructive–results and replacing them with alternate actions that will hopefully overtake the old ways.

(If, by chance, you happen to be following along in my devotional series, DIVINE APPOINTMENTS, this is something we should regularly do during this month of IYAR)

It really comes down to making a choice. I can choose to believe God’s promises or I can choose to wallow in doubt. I can choose faith over unbelief. I can choose to rise early and spend the first of my day with God, or I can choose to stay up late watching Netflix. CHOICE is everywhere and extends to everyday things. I can choose to look after my body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, or I can continue over-eating and not exercising. “Choose you this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” (paraphrased from Joshua.)

My writing habits are no different. Like many other authors I know, I’ve gone through an ebb and flow when it comes to my writing. There have been seasons where I’ve written very little, due to busyness or just feeling void of inspiration. There are other times when I’ve been uber-productive. Self-discipline plays a factor, but I’ve found that establishing a HABIT is the most effective way to keep moving forward. I’m not saying I’ve always been successful, but I’m trying to re-establish this pattern so that it becomes habitual.

When I first started writing, I had an infant. I looked forward to nap time so that I could write. This afternoon appointment became a habit that lasted through my children’s younger years until I went back to work full-time as a teacher. For most of my career, I wrote in large blocks of time during the summer months or during spring break. Once I got published, I had to squeeze all the marketing and subsequent blogging etc. that went with the territory into my evenings and weekends. When I retired from teaching public school, (I still work as an online support teacher) I decided I needed to get back to a daily habit of creative writing whose purpose was not marketing or promotion.

Some smart person suggested that writing appointments should be part of one’s weekly schedule. Put it on the calendar and stick to it, just like you would any appointment. During COVID, I found this really worked for me. It became a habit—one which I looked forward to each day. I also found I never struggled with writer’s block or any such thing during these times. I knew my appointment was coming up and so my mind and spirit were already primed when I sat down with my laptop.

Moving and renovating really played a number with my habits. (Not just my writing habits, but other things like prayer, sleep, and exercise.) These days I am trying to get back to habitual rhythms that are centred more on God.

Creating good HABITS is a choice. It’s actually quite simple, although not necessarily easy.

This article originally appeared on the InScribe Writers’ Online Blog in August 2023.