Break Bad Habits
Build Better Ones
Become Better Men
- Nate Whitson -
"Train yourself to be godly..." - 1 Timothy 4:7
This is one of my favorite Bible verses and one of the most critical ones that I want you to memorize and take to heart.
These five simple words hold the power you need to become the man that you're wanting to be.
The man that God meant for you to be.
It is mission-critical for you if you want to improve and grow in the areas of your life that you feel stuck in or discouraged by today.
The key word you need to embrace: train.
There's a big difference between "training" and "trying".
Michael Phelps didn't become the Olympic legend he was by trying. He trained year after year like a madman.
In fact, pick your favorite athlete or the godliest man you admire and you will find the same thing.
They didn't become the man that they are by any other means than dedicated training.
And neither will you!
With that in mind, I want to share with you a simple training technique you can start using today that is part of my Start Super Small System that helps Christian men learn how to create positive change in their lives when change is hard to do.
I call it the If-Then Pause Plan. Here's how it works.
The If-Then Pause Plan is a super simple, pre-decided plan that helps you respond with strength and godliness in the moment of temptation or pressure.
“If ______ happens, then I will ______.”
This is all about knowing how you will respond way in advance of the problem or pressure and it prevents you from reacting emotionally when life hits you in the face.
- "If my kid grumbles and rolls her eyes when I ask her to help with chores....then I will take a deep breath before I speak, ask God to help, and say something kind to her before asking again."
- "If I'm supposed to workout but I start to back out of my commitment or start making excuses...then I will remind myself to do just 2 minutes of exercise and decide if I want to quit after that."
- "If I'm feeling tempted to click on images and websites I know I shouldn't...then I will pause and pray "God always provides a way of escape for me - I don't have to do this!" - and go outside for 5 minutes."
These seemingly small moments will make or break your day.
Over time, they become BIG moments of regret for most of us and they can make or break your entire life.
But they don't have to break you any longer.
You can change and become more of the man you want to be by simply training your brain to know what to do before the common problem arrives once again (which it certainly will!).
Can you see how this simple technique can change your life?
The opposite approach is to "try harder next time". But how has that worked out for you so far?
The If-Then Pause Plan gives you control without having to exert a lot of brain power in the moment. That's the key!
If temptations or pressures show up at the wrong time of day and your willpower is already exhausted - you'll likely cave in and revert back to your old behaviors and responses.
But by having a plan like this in place beforehand, you'll save yourself the mental gymnastics of struggling to do the hard, right thing and you'll begin to win so many more battles.
So, what's your If-Then Pause Plan?
Pick a common battle that shows up often for you and simply craft a plan.
“If ______ happens, then I will ______.”
Practice it, see how it works, and adjust if needed.
This is one easy way you can train yourself to be more godly.
Nate
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P.S.
We've all been there, promising ourselves we'll do better "next time."
But without training, you simply end up trying the same old methods that don't seem to work.
I've personally used this exact method to help me win first thing in the morning.
Instead of hitting snooze, I put my feet on the floor, then say my Best Day Prayer: "God, thank you for another day! Help me make today the best day of my life - in Jesus' name, amen!" Then I smile a big, cheesy smile and get up.
The If-Then Pause Plan is simple and that's why it works.
Try it and see what you think and then email me and let me know your plan. I'd love to learn from you and see examples other men train with.
Also, if you've got areas of your life that you're trying to change but change has been hard, check out my free 7-Day Challenge and learn more about my entire Start Super Small System. If you like the If-Then Pause Plan, you'll love this whole system even more!
