In a world where the demands of business and the call of faith often seem to compete, creating a daily routine that nurtures both is not just beneficial—it’s essential.
You and I are striving to build devoted lives and maintain a determined mind as we live out God’s Calling on our lives through business. So, the integration of faith and business isn’t just an ideal; it’s a daily pursuit that requires careful planning and intentionality.
In this blog I go over just how to craft a routine that honors your personality, instills discipline, and deepens your relationship with God.
Understand Your Personality: The Foundation of Your Routine
Your personality plays a critical role in shaping a daily routine that you can stick to. Are you a morning person who feels closest to God at dawn, or do you find clarity and inspiration in the quiet of the night? Do you thrive on structure, or do you prefer a more flexible approach to your day? Understanding your natural tendencies is key to creating a routine that feels authentic and sustainable.
- Morning People: Start your day with a time of devotion, prayer, and Bible reading. Use this quiet time to set the tone for the day, aligning your heart with God’s will and seeking guidance for your business decisions.
- Night Owls: If your creative juices flow better at night, carve out time before bed to reflect on your day, read scripture, and plan your next steps with God’s wisdom in mind.
- Structured vs. Flexible: Whether you need a rigid schedule or a loose framework, make sure your routine includes non-negotiable times for both faith and business. For structured personalities, consider setting specific times for prayer, Bible study, and work tasks. If you prefer flexibility, create a list of daily must-dos that allow you to flow with your day while still prioritizing what matters most.
I want to give you permission to have this flexibility. Many times, we get into ruts about our time with God. We think there is a specific way it ‘has to’ be done. When it doesn’t fit in with your personality, the way God created you, it becomes a chore, not an exciting opportunity to know God better.
I’ve always said, you need to put your appointment with God in your calendar! That is the non-negotiable part. It can be different times on different days OR it can be the same time each day. It all depends on your lifestyle and your personality. What can you do now, today? Do that.
Important things to remember (especially if you are just getting started):
- Write it down. What do you want to do during this time with God? Make a plan for what you will study.
- Get a journal. Write out your prayers to God. This can take the form of written entries, Praying in Color, bullet points, etc. Find your way to pray for yourself and others.
- Tab it out. Keep everything in your journal in chronological order. Talk to God in your journal about your business. Put down, draw out, make lists, of the ideas that God is giving you for your business. Then color-code your journal with tabs to indicate things you want to go back to. I’ve found that an idea for my business grows over time in my journal and then the entire ideas has been formulated bit by bit.
Discipline: The Engine That Drives a Daily Routine
Discipline is the backbone of any successful routine. It’s what transforms good intentions into consistent actions. Building a routine that intertwines faith and business requires a commitment to showing up, even when it’s hard.
- Start Small: If you’re new to integrating faith and business, begin with small, manageable commitments. For instance, dedicate the first 10 minutes of your workday to prayer or scripture reading, and gradually increase as it becomes a habit.
- Accountability: Surround yourself with a community that supports your goals. Whether it’s a mentor (a coach like me), a faith-based mastermind group, or a business partner who shares your values, having someone to hold you accountable can be a powerful motivator.
- Consistency Over Perfection: Remember, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being consistent. If you miss a day or struggle to keep up, don’t be discouraged. Refocus, and recommit to your routine. Your discipline will grow stronger with time.
Creating a daily routine can seem daunting. It is in taking it step-by-step. A routine is really a series of small habits that have been strung together. Start with habits you know will help you be more consistent.
I secret I have learned (and heard from my clients), is that when you create a habit and it becomes part of your daily routine, you have more capacity to be creative because you have alleviated all those mundane decisions using up your brain energy.
The easiest way to create a new habit (or replace an old one) is to first decide what behavior you want to start/change. Write down your plan using the three Rs method:
- Reminder. Choose a signal that initiates the action you want to take. For example, when the alarm on my phone goes off each hour, I will get 10oz of water. OR, I will set the timer for 15 minutes to use Social Media. When the alarm goes off I will get off.
- Routine. Do the behavior, at that moment, without excuses. Just do it. There is a real draw to procrastinate on doing the behavior give yourself grace. Don’t do it. Do what you have determined to do.
- Reward. Set up something that you want to work towards that will motivate you to continue. This can be something tangible or intangible. For example, after 5 days of doing this behavior, I will get a coffee with a friend. Or, within a week I will see how much better my body is feeling.
Pursuit of God: The Heart of a Daily Routine
At the core of your daily routine should be the pursuit of God. Your business is an extension of your calling, and without a strong connection to your faith, your work can easily become hollow. Prioritize activities that draw you closer to God and allow His presence to permeate your business decisions.
- Daily Devotion: Set aside time each day to seek God’s wisdom and guidance. This could be through prayer, Bible study, worship, or simply sitting in His presence. Let this time refresh your spirit and fuel your determination.
- Integration of Faith in Business: Look for ways to bring your faith into your work. Pray before meetings, seek God’s direction in decision-making, and reflect His love in your interactions with clients and colleagues. Your business can be a powerful ministry when led by a heart committed to God.
- Sabbath Rest: Don’t forget to incorporate rest into your routine. The Sabbath is a gift, a time to step back from your work and focus entirely on God. Regular rest renews your mind and spirit, enabling you to return to your business with greater clarity and purpose.
There really should not be a sacred part of your life separate from the secular part of your life, especially as a Christian entrepreneur. The reason we are in business is because He has called us and we are on the front lines of showing His goodness to others.
This is a huge responsibility, but it is also an honor. God has entrusted you and me to do a specific job, making disciples, through business. That means we create routines that allow us to stay consistent by also taking time for recharging.
Here are some ways you can make it a priority to stay at your best in all that you do:
- The 50-minute work hour. This daily routine works great to give you small breaks in your day. During each hour you take a 10-minute break to move your body, breathe deeply, and/or meditate on scripture. This recharges your brain and gives you stamina for the next thing you will do.
- Sabbath break. This is a 24-hour period each week that allows you to move away from your work. It is you saying to God, “I trust You to take care of my business.” This time in important to realign with Him through time away from normal distractions. Do things that give you joy: time with family/friends, watching movies, being out in nature, etc. Connect to God in your unique way.
- Quiet Retreats. These are my quarterly planning sessions with God, my CEO (chief everything officer). I take this 6-hour time each quarter to go to a retreat center where I have contact with no one. It is a place for silence & solitude. There I take time to reflect on my business from the last quarter and plan for the upcoming one.
Devoted Lives and Determined Minds: The Outcome of a Balanced Routine
When you create a daily routine that respects your personality, is rooted in discipline, and is centered on the pursuit of God, you position yourself to live a devoted life with a determined mind. This balance empowers you to navigate the complexities of business with wisdom and grace, knowing that your faith is the foundation on which your success is built.
Your routine is more than a schedule—it’s a declaration of your priorities. By intentionally weaving faith and business together, you are not just running a business; you are living out your calling with purpose and passion. Embrace this journey with a devoted heart and a determined mind, and watch as God blesses the work of your hands.
What God really wants for us is to be transformed into the image of His Son, Jesus.
Romans 12:1-2 really back up this idea of devoted lives and determined minds by saying,
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (meaning, complete).
Crafting a daily routine that honors both your faith and your business is an ongoing process that requires introspection, commitment, and a deep desire to pursue God in all things. As you refine your routine, remember that the goal is not perfection but growth—both in your spiritual life and your business endeavors. With a devoted life and a determined mind, you can create a rhythm that brings glory to God and success to your work.
Are you at a place where this just seems impossible? You want to create the business and life God wants for you, but there seems to be to many directions you ‘could’ go. I invite you to watch this FREE Training: How to build an impactful business that serves God and perfectly aligns with His design of you: without first waiting for a ‘sign from God’, developing a brand, or creating a website.
Let me help you get to where God wants you. Living in His plan and purpose for you through business.
I’d love to know in the comments which one of these ideas you’re going to implement first.
Be filled to overflowing,
DeneenTB
Leave a Reply