Show Notes
Episode 60. How To Create A Habit
Episode 60. How To Create A Habit
“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew.”
~ St. Francis de Sales
Why are my habits so hard to change?
Why do I keep doing the things I don't want to do?
How do I build a new habit and get rid of others?
In Episode 60, Kenna and Pat Millea take a deep dive into the psychology and spirituality of habit formation. They unpack the common struggles that we face when trying to build or break habits and encourage a self-compassionate approach that motivates us toward real change. Drawing insights from sources like Thomas Aquinas and James Clear's Atomic Habits, they explore how habits can align with spiritual goals and lead to a Christ-centered life. Whether you're hoping to be free from habitual sin or to create a workout routine, this episode offers practical tips for habit formation, paying attention to cues, cravings, responses, and rewards. Join us for a clearer way toward self-discipline and holiness!
We're happy to share this episode of This Whole Life with the SEEK Podcast Network.
Show Notes
A habit is a usual way of behaving; something that a person does in an in a repeated way.
How does your temperament impact your ability to create habits? Check out Episode 59: The Temperament God Gave You with Art & Laraine Bennett
“Gratia non tollit naturam, sed perficit” / “Grace does not destroy nature, but perfects it.”
St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae
The four stages of a habit:
Cue
Craving
Response
Reward
“What you crave is not the habit itself but the change in state it delivers.”
James Clear, Atomic Habits, p. 48
“Marriage is an adventure, like going to war.”
“Marriage is a duel to the death, which no man of honour should decline.”
G.K. Chesterton
Challenge By Choice
Reflect on your habits for the sake of your holiness
How am I doing?
What is one thing that's standing in the way of an even more generous self gift of myself?
What is one good habit that would support me showing up even more generously? What steps do I need to take to create that habit?
What is one bad habit that is keeping me from fulfilling my mission as a disciple of Jesus? What steps do I need to take to break that habit?
Reflection Questions
For personal reflection or group discussion
What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?
How can habit formation be a tool to enrich your spiritual life, and not just as an exercise in self-improvement?
What are one or two bad habits that you want to break?
What are one or two good habits that you want to create?
How might you invite the Lord into the work of building good habits? What natural steps can you take through your own will & efforts?