“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit”
-Aristotle
I woke up this morning refreshed (mainly because there have been no nightly NBA Playoff games in the past couple of days, lol); I had a restful weekend, was able to do some yard work, admired the long-awaited sun after the weeks of rain, was comforted my mother arrived home from her travels, effectively planned/prepared for the following week, but most importantly, realized the next day was the 1st of the month! No, not because I was picking up a check to chill (90’s rap humor), but because it gives me a chance to build a positive habit! A habit is an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary (thanks http://www.dictionary.com). Habits can be both beneficial or detrimental to your way of life. Habits also are always formed, whether you like it or not; you determine if you want to have a positive or negative routine.
Again, I really appreciate the first of the month falling on a Monday because it helps my mind establish a goal and track my progress; with most people’s work week starting on a Monday, it’s natural for us to get the shenanigans out of our system during our personal time and start fresh when it’s time to perform at the beginning of the work week.
Studying this word cloud above, I notice the words that are most associated with habits: life, control, positive, habitual, free. Theses terms are synonymous with my future aspirations, but in order to add or enhance these traits, habits must be formed to create consistency, which builds character, which in effect creates/perpectuates a positive reputation.
I’m challenging myself (and would like to challenge my friends and the world) to build on my brand by creating one more positive habit this month. There are numerous aspects of your life where you can create positive habits; your health and well-being, professional, social, intellectual, technological, relational, etc. You must put in the work to appreciate your value (this is your personal investment-hmmmm… sounds like another blog topic). Studies show that habits are formed between 21-30 days, so use the month of June to kick-start your perfomance for the 2nd half of the year!
HAVE A GREAT MONTH!
Mr. Matt Houston 
As a business owner, I like the first of the month because it is INVOICE DAY! All of the appropriate documentation is done, accounting software is updated. Hit send. Amen.