Changing habits

For years, I told myself that when I got really successful, I would be able to slow down and live well. In that imaginary world, I would have the money and the time to sleep full nights, eat only good food, and do exercise sessions.

 I told myself that once I had my inbox under control, I would finally have the time to write the books I’d dreamed of writing. Once I had a big title, I would be an inspirational leader who improved everyone around me.

But I had it totally backwards.

I have learned that I can only show up with energy and clarity if my body is healthy--not just not sick, but in good shape. The brain is a physical organ tied to your cardiovascular system.

I have learned that writing (something I love) requires the ability to resist the tyranny of the urgent and do what's important first. I have to write consistently and not wait for it to be convenient.

I have learned that my leadership is not limited by my title and that the only way to get a cool title is to make everyone around me better.

If you live like the person you want to be, you will eventually become that person.

What habit are you working on changing?

I'm trying to get better at weekends with my kids. I have all these creative ideas for stuff to do together (e.g., visit the new skate park in town, play the new board game I bought for them, throw the ball in the backyard, etc.), but it's too easy to let us all zone out on our devices, so I haven't done even half of them yet. I need to not wait for it to happen easily but do something together. That's the kind of father I want to be, so I need to make it my typical behavior.