Will Your Current Habits Make or Break Your Life In 5 Years?

 

Did you know that every little decision you make today quietly shapes your future self? You’re building your future brick by brick, habit by habit. Will you wake up inside a masterpiece or inside a self prison?

If you pick up a broom every day after waking up, for the next six months, it will become a habit. 

Not just a habit, it becomes an 

instinct — something your brain forces you to do before you even think about it. 

The habits you have now, are they good or bad habits?

I know you have a vision and a goal. Will your current habits help you realize that goal? Imagine you woke up to the life built by your current habits in the next five years; will you love it?

If your answer is no, you’re in trouble. 

I’ll tell you the story of McLaren, who was portrayed as the Marlboro Man in cigarette advertisements in the 1970s. 

McLaren was once a normal man like the both of us. He even competed in bronc riding  and bull riding events. He basically lived a normal life. Smoking, which was like a less harmful routine for him, turned into a lifestyle. It became a habit that led to his death. What started as 2-4 cigarettes a day grew into a full pack. This daily habit slowly destroyed his lungs, leading to cancer and eventually death. 

McLaren embodied the image of a cowboy that made smoking look alluring, but in his final days, he started an anti-smoking campaign fighting against the very thing he once represented. His last words were, “Take care of your children.” This was not just about parenting, it was about breaking the cycle of harmful habits. 

This isn't fiction — it’s real. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but if care isn’t taken, it could be your reality too. 

Every small habit builds up over time. If you save a penny daily for 2 years, you’ll accumulate a total of 730 pennies plus interest. That’s how habits are. The cost of McLaren’s habit? lung cancer. Death. 

Some people have built habits that have made them rich while some have built habits that sent them to jail. The ball is always in your court. 

You are stuck in the cycle of your poor habits because you’ve never paused to reflect. The dangerous thing about habits is that they feel safe — until they become a lifestyle you can’t let go of. Every morning you wake up, and the first thing you do is pick up your phone. By picking up your phone, everything else gets overlooked. You automatically will not pray anymore, take a shower on time, or clean up the house. 

Even people who made money with their mobile phones will tell you to always take a break. Balance your time online and offline. Picking up your phone first thing in the morning only sets you up for failure. You’re a writer with the desire to make money, but you haven’t set out time  to practice your skills. How do you then plan on making money? I guess God will send manna from heaven. Unfortunately, God only helps those who help themselves:

James Clear in his book Atomic Habits stated that he became a good writer with little but consistent efforts. He didn’t just wake up one day as a bestselling author. He became one through daily, deliberate habits;

• Writing and publishing an article every week. 
• Journaling every day. 
• Taking a pocket pen and paper around to capture thoughts. 

And these little yet consistent habits made him who he is. His success wasn’t luck, it was routine. 

If you want to be a better writer — write every day. 

If you wish to be a great footballer — practice every day. 

If you want to be a good singer — sing every day. 

Do you want to get closer to God — pray every day, even if it’s the simplest prayer. 

Habits form when you make consistent efforts. This is why the habits you keep today determine who you will be tomorrow. 

Now reflect on the habits that guide your life;

• What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
• Does it help make your day productive or leave you feeling weak, distracted and exhausted?

Let’s say you wake up every day and the first thing you do is pray, and after praying, you start your daily chores. How does it feel to wake up the next day and start by using your phone? Your whole day seems scattered right?

Let me ask you:

• If you had to live this way, that is, with your current habits, for the next five years, would it lead to a life you’re proud of?

Let’s reflect again;

Think about who you were five years ago.

• What daily actions shaped your life today? 
• Were they intentional or accidental?
• Which ones did you leave behind and which ones are you still holding onto? 
• Did it shape you positively or otherwise? 

Now, imagine your life five years from now. Would these habits lead to a life you’ll be proud of?

You have your answer now. 

Every little action is like planting a seed. Some grow into thriving trees, while others grow into weeds that choke your future. In the end, the power to choose what to plant remains with you. 

How To Drop Bad Habits and Start Good Ones 

The only way to stop bad habits is to create new ones. If you diligently follow these steps, you won’t just be building a better future for yourself, you’ll be creating a healthy lifestyle. 

1. Audit Your Habits: To go from good to bad, you need to identify those habits that had a positive or negative impact on your life. Right now, get a pen and paper. Think of those habits that made you more productive, and the ones that made you feel tired and less productive. 

There are bad habits that disguise as good habits such as smoking to reduce anger or biting your nails to relieve stress or anxiety. Let me give you a quick rundown of what is considered good habits and what is considered as bad habits. 

Positive Habits:

• Morning routines like starting the day with prayers, meditating, doing chores, or journaling. 
• Reading, listening to podcasts and watching educational content. 
• Financial discipline.  
• Positive affirmations.
• And the list goes on. 

Negative Habits 

• Picking up the phone first thing in the morning. 
• Excessive scrolling on social media. 
• Procrastinating every task. 
• Consistently consuming processed or sugary foods. 
• Overspending and bad investments. 
• Negative self-talk, constant complaints, self doubt-and overthinking. 
• Dismissing symptoms or neglecting routine check ups. 

This is but a few habits. I’m sure you’re guilty of up to five out of the eight bad habits listed. Don’t you think it’s time for a change?

2. Challenge Yourself Today: This is a proven method with results that speak for themselves. Today, I want you to reflect. After thinking of your habits and writing them down, ask yourself this;  “What part of my habits am I ready to improve.” You can’t do it all at once, you need to take it one after another. 

Start with the smallest and easiest. It might be praying after waking up or brushing your teeth the moment you wake up. 

Remember, before you sleep, keep your phone far from you and your Bible or toothbrush close to you. Now instead of picking up your phone as usual first thing in the morning, you pick up your Bible this time. 

Another effective way to build great habits is to commit to one meaningful challenge for the next 30 days. 

It might be a challenge to write every day or to exercise every morning. I’m not promising you a smooth start or that you won’t face difficulties. The journey will be tough, but after 30 days you won’t want to stop that habit. 

Take my word for it and give it a try. Remember, don’t back out no matter the difficulties you may encounter. Keep pushing and it will all work out in the end. 

In conclusion, don’t make room for regrets. Five years from now, the person you become will look back at you now. “What will they wish you had done better?” 

Your future self is waiting — either grateful or disappointed. You make the choice.