I’m not much of a political guru, but headlines are already discussing who may or may not be running for office in 2016. So I would like to formally nominate, Will Power…more commonly pronounced as will-power (see what I did there?)

Over Christmas, a friend lent me a book by Saint Josémaria Escrivá. He was a Catholic priest and founded the order of Opus Dei – an organization that helps people seek holiness in and through their everyday work. His writing is thought-provoking, written in a proverb-like form, and doesn’t beat around the bush. I wanted to share one thought, in particular, with you:

“Will power. A very important quality. Don’t disregard the little things, which are really never futile or trivial. For by the constant practice of repeated self-denial in little things, with God’s grace you will increase in strength and manliness of character. In that way you’ll first become master of yourself, and then a guide and a leader: to compel, to urge, to draw others with your example and with your word and with your knowledge and with your power.”

I know it’s a little long, but it reminded me a lot of my recent post about how beliefs becoming our destiny. It starts with small steps on a regular basis.

I don’t know about you, but one of my long term goals is to help lead and guide people – be it my own family, friends, co-workers or complete strangers through this blog. To get there, though, I’ll have to first live a life with will power that earns respect. Otherwise, I’ll have no way to compel, urge or draw others through my example. But, more importantly, it will also take God’s grace…so I can’t just assume I can do it on my own.

The “little” thing I’m working on right now is going to bed by 10pm. That, consequently, allows me to wake up at 5:30am to spend 30-45 uninterrupted minutes every day working on this site of mine.

Were the first few days rough? Absolutely.

Did it strengthen my resolve to continue and energize me through the rest of the day? Oddly enough, yes.

So what little thing can you start constantly practicing to begin building your will-power? Working out for 20 minutes a day? Taking out the trash when you told your spouse you would? Being more patient with a family member or co-worker?

It could be anything, and that’s the beauty of it. It just takes one consistent effort to eventually start a snowball effect. You see the positive results of one thing you’re doing, and you’ll want it to spread to other areas of your life.