If you remember nothing else from this message, remember this: No plan, no discipline.A pastor once said that you need discipline for deliverance from actions that keep you in bondage. When he said “discipline,” I thought about “disciple”. A disciple is simply a “Learner”.
Could your missing key to discipline be that you don’t have a plan for your “Learner” to learn new habits?
One of my favorite scriptures talks about plans: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty (Proverbs 21:5).
Think about one of your health goals. For example, let’s say that you want to eat only when you are hungry.
It’s not good enough to tell yourself, “You can’t eat” when you want to eat from habit, not hunger. You aren’t giving yourself an alternative. What plan can you follow instead?
Remember: No plan, no discipline.
I’m going to walk you through the steps to create a good plan. You need one for each new health habit that you want to practice.
To remember how to create the plan, just remember the letters: L-E-A-R-N-E-R.
L: Learn – What do I want myself to learn?
Example: I want to learn how to eat only when hungry.
Example: I want to learn how to eat only when hungry.
E: Expect – What do I expect myself to do?
Example: I expect to use hunger as the only signal to eat.
Example: I expect to use hunger as the only signal to eat.
A: Apply – When and how will I practice the new habit?
Example: I will practice the new habit starting today. When I have the thought to eat, I will check my body and ask, “Am I hungry?” If I am, I will eat. If I am not, I will do something else to occupy my mind and time. I will also keep a jug full of water with lemon or green tea with lemon and Stevia available to sip on while I work to ensure I’m not eating when I’m really thirsty.
Example: I will practice the new habit starting today. When I have the thought to eat, I will check my body and ask, “Am I hungry?” If I am, I will eat. If I am not, I will do something else to occupy my mind and time. I will also keep a jug full of water with lemon or green tea with lemon and Stevia available to sip on while I work to ensure I’m not eating when I’m really thirsty.
R: Remember – How will I remember to practice the new habit?
Example: I will post a large ‘Hunger or Habit?’ reminder on my refrigerator so that I stop and think before I eat. My water jug will also remind me to drink so that I quench my thirst.
Example: I will post a large ‘Hunger or Habit?’ reminder on my refrigerator so that I stop and think before I eat. My water jug will also remind me to drink so that I quench my thirst.
N: Need – Why do I need to practice this new habit?
Example: I want to reach my ideal size and overeating consistently keeps me overweight consistently.
Example: I want to reach my ideal size and overeating consistently keeps me overweight consistently.
E: Equip – What equipment do I need to help me follow through on this habit?
Example: I will create a checklist for myself to stay aware of thoughts to eat and if they are from hunger or habit. I will track what I did instead of eating from habit. I already have a 64 ounce water jug.
Example: I will create a checklist for myself to stay aware of thoughts to eat and if they are from hunger or habit. I will track what I did instead of eating from habit. I already have a 64 ounce water jug.
R: Reward – What reward can I give myself for following through on the new habit?
Example: I will take a bubble bath, plus I will hug myself and say “great job” whenever I practice the new habit.
Example: I will take a bubble bath, plus I will hug myself and say “great job” whenever I practice the new habit.
Take a moment now to think about a habit you want to break and how you can use L-E-A-R-N-E-R to create a new, positive habit.
If weight loss is your goal, then using L-E-A-R-N-E-R can help make you L-E-A-N-E-R!
Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,
Kimberly Taylor
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ eBook
takebackyourtemple.com
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ eBook
takebackyourtemple.com
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Note: The Learner acronym was adapted from “The Seven Laws of the Learner” by Bruce Wilkinson