Dispatch w.03.2020
“A year from now you will wish you had started today.”
If you have been following my Dispatch for any length of time, you know I am a big fan of James Clear. Clear is the author of Atomic Habits, an amazing book that made my “must read” list last week. Recently, James had this in one of his writings:
Your identity can hold you back:
- I'm terrible with directions.
- I have a sweet tooth.
- I'm bad at math.
…or build you up:
- I'm the type of person who doesn't miss workouts.
- I finish what I start.
- I read every day.
Build habits that reinforce your desired identity.
This jumped out at me because this past month I observed a few mile markers that really drew me to this concept. My desired identity is a holistically healthy and thriving follower of Jesus. The Holy Trinity of Health—mentally, physically and spiritually healthy.
This month, I passed 600 workouts that I posted in my Strong Fitness app. I also hit a 900-day streak in the Bible App, and, after exporting all my morning journals from Evernote, I noticed I had journaled every morning for 1,340 days. Because of these stats, it should not surprise me that at the start of this new year and new decade, I am holistically healthier than I have ever been.
I almost didn’t share this because I feared it may come off the wrong way. I beg you to know I am not boastful about this. I give God all the credit and glory for helping me stay the course. In my own strength and will, I do not have anywhere near the tenacity or endurance to sustain such an accomplishment. A bit of proof of this is where I was going in the previous decade. Ten years ago, I was in the worst physical shape of my life, statistically obese, and struggling on all fronts with diet and exercise. My time with God was only improving because I’m one of the founders of the YouVersion Bible App. I loved God and desired to read the Bible regularly, but I just didn't. Journaling and reflection wasn't even on my radar! I am not good, but God IS! With His wisdom, His peace, and His encouragement, these life-changing habits have been formed and solidified because of the desired identity I am pursuing.
Today is your day, and this is your decade! Define your desired identity, and build habits that reinforce it. I promise God will do more in you, through you, and for you by abundantly exceeding all of your expectations.
(If you’re willing to share, I would love for you to reply with your story and journey.)
Our stories and journeys ebb and flow with ups and downs. From great milestones we celebrate to detours that derail us and everything in between. Twenty-five years into my journey with Christ, I still face detours and derailing moments more than I wish I did. Paul’s words in Romans ring true and in an odd way, bring comfort to my soul:
“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”
This rings true in my life when it comes to social media and what it does in me. Like Paul, I find myself doing what I hate: looking at likes, results, reach, and follower growth. Back in August, I took a break from Instagram to inspect my motives and to seek God with this “derailer.” What became clear was my daily Instagram posts that were flowing out of my morning quiet times had become something not honoring to Christ. I found myself interested in what others responded with, the reach, the like count, etc. Was my design and content good enough to solicit those things I sought after? Ugh, I hate this!!! So, it was clear that I needed to eliminate it and work this out in my heart.
Inherently, social media isn’t bad, but what it was doing in me wasn't honoring to Jesus, so I chose to walk away. Public praise and notoriety are not what I am called to—honoring Christ and being obedient to Him is. Others may be better at navigating these obstacles than I am, and I praise God for that! Maybe one day I will have freedom in this area and can re-enter this realm, but until then I will stay here on my dispatch and write on my blog, where it feels much more personal, less “social,” and not anything close to “media.”
Robin drew my attention to this NY Times opinion article this week. This is a powerful article that will move you to tears and, more than likely, create moments of frustration and rage. My encouragement is to read the article, but do your best to shelve your political views and biases and just see where and what it does inside of you. Read Now
Every day produces Seinfeld moments for Robin and me. It’s our 30-minute entertainment before we wrap up the day. And we still love it as much as ever! “Nametags! Everyone should wear nametags! It would make NYC friendlier!" — Elaine Benes. Such a funny episode! Similarly, my friend Phil Cooke, is living out his #Hello campaign idea. Phil wrote about his experiment of “What If We Made Saying Hello to Strangers Cool Again?” Love it, Phil! Keep it up with #Hello. Read Now
On Friday, I was wrapping up my week in one of my favorite coffee & tea shops in the city called Woodshed. Woodshed is owned by a longtime friend and old coworker, Sam DuRegger. Sam and I got to talking, and he drew my attention to the NowNowNow Project. I’d never heard about this concept. Simply add a “/now” page to your website and be clear with your Now Focus. Very interesting. Here is Sam’s Now page. You can learn more about NowNowNow here.
Last week, one of my co-workers Lacy, asked me to share the list of books I’ve read with my daughters, Reese and Reia. Here’s a list of some of the books I remember us going though together. All of these were excellent in the season we read them together.
ABOUT THE TERRY STORCH DISPATCH
The Terry Storch Dispatch offers bite-sized chunks of what I'm learning, what I'm reading, and technology tidbits I have found interesting this week. I regularly explore leadership, technology, strategy and faith to help you grow as a parent, student, leader, entrepreneur or pastor. Enjoy!