Unleashing the Power of Habits Blake Jennings Carolyn

Unleashing the Power of Habits Blake Jennings & Carolyn Jones

What is one bad habit you want to break this year? What is one good habit you want to build this year?

1. A Definition of Habits

A choice that has become automatic

“All our life, so far as it has definite form, is but a mass of habits. ” William James, philosopher & psychologist

A choice that has become automatic A gift from God Allow you to learn and grow A gift damaged by sin Can become a source of habitual evil Can lead to addiction

2. A Theology of Habits

Romans 6: 15– 16 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?

Repeated sins Habits Addictions Death

“All sin is addiction. Whether it's bitterness, whether it's envy, whether it's materialism, whether it's laziness, whether it's impurity — every sinful action becomes an addiction… exactly like addiction cycles and addiction dynamics begin to operate. ” Timothy Keller, Sin as Slavery sermon

Repeated sins Habits Addictions Death Repeated obedience Habits Sanctification

Philippians 2: 12– 13 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

3. The Mechanics of Habits

The Habit Cycle

Routine Cue CRAVING Reward

Routine Cue CRAVING FOR RELIEF Reward

Routine Cue CRAVING ENDORPHINS, ACCOMPLISHMENT Reward

Breaking a Habit

Routine Cue CRAVING FOR RELIEF Reward

New Routine Cue CRAVING FOR RELIEF Reward

Creating a Habit

New Routine Cue CRAVING FOR COFFEE Reward

For the bad habit you want to break… • Identify at least one cue • Identify at least one reward

Resources The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg Mastering the Rockefeller Habits by Verne Harnish The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey michaelhyatt. com - Personal development, leadership and productivity blog