The Oji & Gigi Library

As a couple, we have spent a great deal of time reading together and sharing insights. Admittedly, we have read an overwhelming number of family and relationship-focused books, but we have spent almost as much time reading works from leadership-centered authors. We recently added Life Is Rich: How to Create Lasting Wealth by Nate Scott MBA, to our library.

We met Nate Scott in 2012 when he dedicated a full year of his time to hosting the 6 a.m. Daily Habit Call. Fondly, we remember the poem, "Daily habits done daily build character," which followed prayer at the beginning of each call. Though we did not make every session, Nate did! That cemented for us his dedication to service and

His "personal mission to live each day principle-centered based upon Biblical teachings and to be a person of value and positive influence...," resonates so strongly with us because his faith dictates his movement. Honored to know him and privileged to learn and share.

Today's Insight comes from page 5 of

Life Is Rich: How to Create Lasting Wealth

DAILY HABITS DONE DAILY BUILD CHARACTER

I am your constant companion.

I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden.

I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.

I am completely at your command.

Half of the things you do you might as well turn over to me and I will do them – quickly and correctly.

I am easily managed – you must be firm with me.

Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons, I will do it automatically.

I am the servant of great people, and alas, of all failures as well.

Those who are great, I have made great.

Those who are failures, I have made failures.

I am not a machine, though I work with the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a person.

You may run me for profit or run me for ruin – it makes no difference to me.

Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet.

Be easy with me and I will destroy you.

Who am I?

I am Habit.

HABIT – an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.

A 2006 Study from Duke University concluded that 45% of our daily behaviors are automatic. Translation? We spend half of our day on auto-pilot. But, why does that happen?

Because our brains are the most efficient computers ever created using 25% of our daily energy. Our brains recognize patterns then seek to automate those patterns to save energy. Our bodies are efficient and the brain is the epicenter!

Habits are formed in the part of the brain called the basal ganglia (no more science talk for today); this is where our automatic patterns for blinking, breathing, and swallowing live. We do not think about those actions because they have been repeated and are rooted in our brain (since forever). But, this is also where our morning coffee and blueberry muffin habit resides; or, conversely, our morning two-mile run or evening personal development routine. Our brain in all of its efficiency is looking out for our best interests by making automatic behaviors we perform repeatedly. This efficiency is also why it is difficult (but not impossible) to break bad habits.

So, what steps can we take to form good habits? Habits take 21 days to form, so consider being consistent for 21 days straight with whatever your chosen change of behavior. Some suggest the 21/90 method whereby you implement a new habit for 21 days straight then, once the 21 days are completed, you cement the behavior by following the pattern for an additional 90 days.

Research also suggests there is a spiritual component to habits. Consider the basic premise of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous that surrendering your will to a higher power is key to a successful recovery. Consider Paul's admission in Romans 7:15, “…For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do,” and how it illustrates perfectly the hold habit can have on us even when we desire to do better.

The good news is we all have the power to change our habits through setting the goal and disciplining ourselves. How many times you fall does not matter; instead, it is all about how many times you stand up!

What new habits do you need to cultivate? And, more importantly, which ones do you need to cut out? Connect with us and let's learn and grow together!

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!

Download the Daily Habits Poem

More about Nate Scott - https://buff.ly/3nhAiX4