“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger.” – James Clear
Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
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This week, we’re diving deep into the power of habits, but not just habits for the sake of habits. I’m talking about habits with purpose. Too often, we jump on the bandwagon of a new routine without truly understanding why we’re doing it. It’s like setting sail without a compass – you might be moving, but are you heading in the right direction?
My framework for intentional change starts with the “So What” (opportunity), moves to the “Now What” (action, habit, discipline), and culminates in the “So That” (outcome). We get the “Now What” part right for a few days or weeks, but if it’s not tied to a powerful “So That,” those habits often wither and die.
Think about New Year’s resolutions. How many times have you committed to a drastic change – hitting the gym for 90 minutes every day after years of inactivity, for instance – only to find yourself back where you started a few weeks later? Starting small is crucial. But even more critical is ensuring that your habits are connected to a clear, compelling outcome. I often call this the “string test” – can you tie a string between your daily actions and your ultimate purpose?
Recently, I encountered a powerful visual in the book The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction – a vine growing on a trellis. This image perfectly captures the essence of what I’m talking about.
Confederate jasmine is a vine that is native to South Carolina and is the state’s flower. It can grow up to 20 feet tall, but has a slow growth rate until it is established. It can be used as a ground cover or can be a great screen. If left to its own devices, it would grow, sure, but aimlessly, sprawling across the yard and driveway. It lacks direction. But place a trellis beside it, and suddenly, the plant has a structure, a framework to guide its growth. My wife planted our own Confederate jasmine plant, and with the help of a trellis it has climbed over seven feet and stretched another ten feet across my garage in just 3 years(That’s a 500+% growth!!) ! The trellis provides the support and direction it needed to flourish.
Our ‘So that’ is our trellis. It’s the framework that shapes our habits, giving them direction and meaning. Without a clear purpose, our habits become aimless, easily swayed by distractions.
But here’s the thing: Just like a real confederate jasmine plant growing on a trellis, our habits require pruning. As we grow and evolve, some habits that once served us well may no longer be effective. We need to constantly evaluate our actions and prune the “branches” that aren’t bearing the fruit we desire. Distractions, like weeds, will constantly try to pull us away from our trellis. Staying on a journey of growth means continually pruning habits that aren’t working and cultivating new ones that align with our evolving purpose.
When you solidify your “So That” – your purpose, your “burn,” as Ben Newman calls it – only then can you ensure that the habits you’re building are moving you toward that end.
So, why do we struggle to implement the right habits? Here are three common reasons:
- Lack of Clarity: We haven’t clearly defined our purpose. Our “trellis” is fuzzy, making it difficult to choose habits that truly support our goals. We’re like the Confederate ivy without a trellis, growing aimlessly.
- Overwhelm: We try to change too much too quickly. We set unrealistic expectations, leading to discouragement and ultimately giving up. We try to build a skyscraper on a foundation of sand.
- Distractions: The world is full of shiny objects vying for our attention. We get pulled in different directions, losing sight of our purpose and abandoning our carefully crafted habits. We get so focused on the weeds that we forget about the trellis.
Here are three ways that you can overcome these barriers to achieve success in focusing your routine habits
- Define Your ‘Trellis’: Take the time to clarify your purpose. What truly matters to you? What impact do you want to make? What kind of person do you want to become? Write it down. Make it visible. Let it be the guiding force behind your decisions. Use the So What, Now What, So That framework I outline above.
- Start Small, Think Big: Don’t try to overhaul your entire life overnight. Choose one or two small, manageable habits that align with your purpose. Once those become ingrained, gradually add more. Think big picture, but start small and build momentum. Many of you have heard of the hashtag I used years ago when my fitness journey stalled and I needed to improve my nutrition. It wasn’t about starving myself or going on the cabbage soup diet, it was about starting small and it resulted in the hashtag #stopeatingfrenchdries.
- Prune Ruthlessly: Regularly evaluate your habits. Are they still serving you? Are they moving you closer to your goals? Don’t be afraid to let go of habits that no longer align with your evolving purpose. Pruning is essential for healthy growth.
Our habits are the building blocks of our lives. But without a clear purpose – a strong trellis – they become meaningless. By defining our purpose, starting small, and pruning ruthlessly, we can shape our habits to create a life of intention, impact, and lasting fulfillment.
Being successful as a leader requires intentional leadership habits. That’s why I developed the Ideal Week template – a tool that helps me identify disciplines and habits needed for success and allocate the necessary time. It guides you through planning your ideal week, ensuring you dedicate time to the activities that bring you closer to your goals.
Want to give it a try? Email me at [email protected] with the words ‘IDEAL WEEK’ in the subject line and I’ll send you a copy of the Ideal Week template complete with a sample to get you started!
- Quote of the week:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” – John 15:1-2
What You Need to Do:
Call to Action: Your trellis isn’t a “set it and forget it” structure. It requires ongoing maintenance and pruning. Just like a gardener tends to their vines, you must regularly evaluate your habits and make adjustments as needed. What’s one small adjustment you can make this week to strengthen your trellis and support your growth?
It’s an honor to be your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy”. Each week, I’m excited to provide yet another round of curated content that I’ve been reading, listening to, watching, or thinking over. The purpose of the Champions Brew is to inspire, equip and encourage you to become the uncommon leader you were designed to be. I am so grateful for your decision to invest a few moments with me! I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Champions Brew. If you did, I would appreciate it if you would share it with someone who might enjoy it as well and ask them to subscribe! I will make sure they automatically get this email every week.
Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!
P.S. – Are you a podcast fan? Maybe the Uncommon Leader podcast is for you. Are you interested in being a guest on the Uncommon Leader Podcast? Do you have a story to tell? Email me [email protected] and let’s have a chat and set something up!!
