{"id":24801,"date":"2024-10-29T17:53:25","date_gmt":"2024-10-29T15:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/?p=24801"},"modified":"2024-10-30T16:38:50","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T14:38:50","slug":"lower-your-goals-or-raise-your-habits-a-path-to-faith-filled-excellence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/lower-your-goals-or-raise-your-habits-a-path-to-faith-filled-excellence\/","title":{"rendered":"Lower Your Goals or Raise Your Habits: A Path to Faith-Filled Excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For subscribers of Disciples Today I\u2019m offering monthly free group coaching webinars. The next one is on November 2nd at 12 PM CST: Making a Career Leap \u2013 Recalibrate and Reinvent Your Professional Life.\u00a0If you are a subscriber,\u00a0\u00a0register here<\/a>\u00a0and claim your spot.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m a big fan of J.S. Bach. Arguably the greatest composer who ever lived, his music fills the room whenever I write. Bach, a man of faith who signed his works with Soli Deo Gloria<\/em> (to God alone all the glory), was known to occasionally lose his temper \u2013 especially around sloppy musicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His frustration, however, wasn\u2019t about pride but about seeing untapped potential go unfulfilled. The Bible reminds us, \u201cWhatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord\u201d (Colossians 3:23). True excellence reflects God\u2019s gift within us. Those who are masters in their craft can see when others aren\u2019t quite putting in the work.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Here\u2019s the good news: most people are capable of far more than they realize. They just need to make a single, defining choice: \u201cEither lower your goals or raise your habits.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about it. We often set big spiritual, professional, or relational goals that feel just out of reach. Goals are meant to stretch us, but when we struggle to achieve them, it\u2019s usually not the goals that are the issue; it\u2019s our habits. James 1:22 reminds us, \u201cDo not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.\u201d Real growth happens through steady, consistent action over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why habits matter more than motivation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Motivation is like a spark \u2013 exciting at first but often short-lived. Habits, however, are like the steady embers that keep the fire burning long after motivation fades. Galatians 6:9 encourages us, \u201cLet us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.\u201d Consistent habits are what carry us forward, even on days when motivation decides to sleep in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The power of \u201craising your habits\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To raise your habits is to bring your daily actions to the level of the life you\u2019re called to. Making small, intentional steps daily builds up to significant changes over time. Devoting between 30 and 60 minutes each morning to prayer and spiritual growth or setting aside consistent professional or relational growth time. As these habits accumulate, they propel us toward God\u2019s calling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Build Habits That Last<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Start small, stay consistent.\n