Years ago, I came across a quote that hit me like a ton of bricks: “You do NOT decide your future, you decide your habits and your habits decide your future.” Wow. As much as I study people, including myself, I can honestly say this is 100% truth. It really is that simple. You can dream all day about the life you want, but if your daily habits don’t align with those dreams, you’ll never see them come to pass. When Sandy and I started The Chris & Sandy Show, we didn’t know how big it would grow. We only knew that if we consistently showed up, something would eventually shift. For three years, we dedicated ourselves to interviewing guests—over 600 in total. That consistency didn’t just open doors; it shattered barriers. The same happened with The Customized Ride. By sticking to a routine of daily engagement, content creation, and staying visible, we turned a passion into a thriving platform. Dreams come to life through the grind of small, daily choices that reflect where you want to be. Habits are the building blocks of success or the seeds of failure. Plain and simple.
1. Habits Shape Your Reality, Not Your Intentions It’s easy to talk about goals and aspirations, but talk alone doesn’t move the needle. Proverbs 14:23 says, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” This isn’t just about finances—it’s about life in general. Hard work fueled by consistent habits yields results. Wishing and wanting without action leads nowhere.
Ask yourself: Are your habits leading you closer to the life you want, or are they holding you back? You can’t wish your way into success; you work your way there one small habit at a time.
When we built The Customized Ride, it wasn’t by accident. Consistency drove the growth. Every day, we showed up, created content, and pushed forward even when it felt like progress was slow. Those daily efforts compounded into something greater. That’s the power of habits at work.
2. Excuses Are the Enemy of Progress I hear it all the time: “I want to do this or that, but I’m too busy. I have a family. I work long hours.” The truth? You can make excuses, or you can make progress—but you can’t do both at the same time.
Jesus said in Luke 14:18-20 that people often make excuses when invited to something greater. One bought a field, another some oxen, and another got married—all valid life events, yet they missed out on the greater opportunity. The same applies to our dreams. If we’re not careful, valid reasons turn into excuses that keep us from God’s best.
When we started The Chris & Sandy Show, we interviewed over 600 guests in just three years. It wasn’t easy. We had family responsibilities and full schedules, but we stayed consistent. That habit of showing up, interview after interview, eventually led to bigger guests and larger opportunities. The only way to grow was to keep moving forward without allowing excuses to sideline us.
3. The Story of John Grisham: Creating Time John Grisham’s story from the book You INC. is a prime example. Before becoming a full-time writer, Grisham worked 60 to 80 hours a week as a lawyer. He wanted to write a novel but faced numerous excuses: no creative writing experience, family obligations, long work hours, and stress. Sound familiar?
But Grisham made a choice. He didn’t wait for time to magically appear; he created it. By waking up at 5:00 AM, two hours earlier than usual, he carved out time to write. Less than a year later, he had a completed manuscript. His first novel, A Time to Kill, wasn’t born out of convenience but out of discipline and habit.
This aligns with Ephesians 5:15-16: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Grisham didn’t squander his mornings; he used them wisely.
4. Put First Things First If something truly matters to you, you’ll make room for it. Matthew 6:33 reminds us, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Priorities dictate habits. When we prioritize the right things—whether it’s time with God, our family, or our calling—our habits shift to reflect those priorities.
Sometimes, creating time means sacrificing comfort. I remember when we were building The Chris & Sandy Show. There were many nights I stayed up past midnight pitching for interviews, studying the craft, knowing I had to wake up early for family responsibilities the next day. I sacrificed relaxation and comfort because I believed in the vision God placed on my heart. That habit of pushing through, even when it was inconvenient, helped us reach over 600 interviews and opened doors we never imagined possible. Comfort is easy, but growth lives on the other side of sacrifice. That early alarm clock, the gym after work, the book you write late at night—these aren’t glamorous habits, but they build the future you desire.
5. Habits: Your Greatest Ally or Worst Enemy I found a powerful little poem that perfectly sums this up:
I am your constant companion. I’m your greatest helper or your heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I’m at your command. Half of the tasks that you do you might as well turn them over to me and I will do them quickly and correctly. I’m easily managed, you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons, I will do them automatically. I’m servant of all great people and lord for all failures as well. Those who are great I have made great. Those who are failures I have made failures. I’m not a machine, but I work with all the precision of a machine, plus the intelligence of a person. You may run me for profit or you may run me for fun; it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will lay the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you. I am HABIT!
Habits aren’t neutral. They either build you up or break you down. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Renewing the mind isn’t a one-time event—it’s a daily habit.
6. Healthy Lifestyle Habits: A Foundation for Success
In addition to mental and spiritual discipline, a healthy lifestyle plays a crucial role in shaping the future we desire. Taking care of our physical health is not just about looking good or feeling better—it’s about being equipped to handle the demands of life, our calling, and our purpose. Just like good habits in work and faith, habits that prioritize nutrition, exercise, and rest are essential for sustaining long-term success. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and maintaining good health honors God and allows us to be more effective in our pursuits.
7. Reflection: What Habits Are You Building? Take a moment to reflect. What daily habits are shaping your future right now? Are they habits that draw you closer to God, your family, and your purpose? Or are they leading you down a path of complacency?
Challenge yourself to create habits that align with your goals. Start small if needed. Consistency beats intensity every time. And remember, Proverbs 4:25-27 reminds us, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” God is in your corner, but He won’t override your daily decisions. Stay focused, and let each small, consistent habit guide you closer to the future you desire.
Choose wisely. Your habits today will decide your future tomorrow. Take a moment to reflect and pray. Ask God to reveal the habits that need to change and seek His guidance in developing new ones. Consider writing down one habit you want to start this week that aligns with the future you desire. Let this be the first step toward transforming your life, one choice at a time.
Living a God-Inspired Life,
Chris