Would you let me observe you for a day?

Well, I can’t really shadow you for a day, but I ask because it brings to light an important principle. Just by observing what someone does on a day-to-day basis, you can tell how successful they intend to become. No matter what day it is, simply watching the routines they adhere to on a consistent basis reveals where they are headed in life.

What are some things you pray for that you want to achieve and enjoy? A happy marriage, a flourishing church, a thriving business, a college degree, a debt-free life?

If you will incorporate what I’m sharing today, you’ll walk towards the very dreams you have in your heart and see impossibilities become possible right before your eyes.

The Bible says, “To whom much is given, from him much will be required” (Luke 12:48). You could say, “Much is required in order for much to be given.” The bottom line is this: if you want more, you must become more.

Your life will only grow to the extent that you grow. If you don’t like the size of your life, make an investment in the size of you. Literally, grow into the dreams and desires God’s given you.

Make an Investment in You
The most ignorant declaration I made when I graduated from college was, “I will never study again!” I concluded that I had “paid my dues” by studying for four years, graduating with honors and knew all I needed to know to start my future.

Well, for eleven years after my college graduation, I lived up to my ignorant promise. I was a ghost-writer editing and writing over 25 books for other authors. I worked hard, I worked late, I worked nights and weekends when needed. I was fully vested in my job and wanted to give my best.

At the same time I was working hard on my job, I lived paycheck to paycheck, had a total of $1,000 in my savings account (after eleven years of employment), nothing in investments, paid my credit card bill every month, made my car loan payment every month, and everything about my life was average.

One morning in 2002, I decided to work harder on myself than I did on my job. I changed my routine and it changed my entire life. I went from ghost-writing books to authoring books. I went from attending conferences to speaking at conferences. I went from watching television for hours to co-hosting a TV show. My income more than tripled. My savings goals were reached. Most importantly, my created purpose was being fulfilled. What happened?

I focused on a personal development plan by making a few, small changes in my daily routine. If you can change your routine, you can change your life. No, it doesn’t all happen in a day, but it all starts with one day.

In 2002, I began a routine that I had no idea would prepare me for the plans God had in store for me. My daily routine goals consisted of the following:
1) Pray
2) Listen to a faith-building message
3) Read
4) Review my dreams and goals
5) Exercise

I told myself that doing these five items was not debatable. Even if it was 15 degrees outside, I would still go and walk for exercise. Here’s a big key: I have not stopped this daily routine.

The Bible teaches us that our lives operate through sowing and reaping. In Galatians 6:7 (Philips) we are told, “A man’s harvest in life depends entirely upon the seed that he sows.” When you want a harvest great enough, you will do what it takes to plant the seeds. For example, if you really want to enjoy a harvest of a healthy, strong body; you will plant the seeds of exercising and nutritious eating.

5 Things Successful People Do Before 8 a.m.
What you do day in and day out determines everything about where your life is headed. Success doesn’t begin with one big opportunity. It begins with planting the seeds of success through daily disciplines and goals.

Years ago I read an article in Forbes magazine called “Five Things Super Successful People Do Before 8 A.M.” Why so early? Your morning hours are vital because you have more control of your time in the morning than any other part of your day. You can get up early and put time into productive activities before going to work, your appointments, or other responsibilities.

Starting your day early is a common trait in high-performing CEO’s, government leaders, and other influential people. Consider the following people:
Margaret Thatcher would wake at 5 a.m.
Frank Lloyd Wright is known to start his day at 4 a.m.
Robert Iger, the CEO of Disney, wakes up at 4:30 a.m each day.

Here are the five common activities of super successful people:

Exercise. Most people who are consistent with exercise work out in the morning. It gives you that surge of energy and feeling prepared for the day.

Map out the day. You’ll be much more effective when you face your day with a plan. Before I go to bed, I map out the things I need to focus on the next day. Whether you are a CEO, stay-at-home parent, self-employed, or a student, your productivity will increase by incorporating this one technique.

Eat a healthy breakfast. I discovered that the word breakfast means to break the fast. You’ve been fasting all night during your sleep, and you need to break the fast by eating something that gives you nutrition and fuel to start the day.

Visualization. The morning is the perfect time to spend thinking, praying, meditating and listening to God’s voice concerning you and your future.

Make the day top-heavy. Tackle your biggest or most important tasks first. Sometimes it’s easy to procrastinate on some of the less enjoyable things you need to do. Attack them first and you will enjoy the rest of your day a lot more in addition to being more productive.

Take some time today and think about some things you could commit to do every day. It might not be five things, but maybe you could write down three things you know you should do every day or you know would move you forward towards those things God has put in your heart. Whatever you decide to do, commit to do them for at least 21 days at the same time each day to really start a new and lasting habit.

Let me end with this: don’t compare yourself with others. When you start looking at how other people are sleeping in, eating whatever they want, and watching hours of TV, it can be hard to stay focused on what you need to do and the harvest you want.

I’ve heard Joyce Meyer say how she was complaining to the Lord for all the things she was having to do that other people weren’t. The Lord said, “Joyce, you’ve asked me for a lot. Do you want it or not?”

As you develop disciplines and a routine that will grow you to the size of your dream, you’ll start seeing those things you’ve been asking God for!