“Good intentions without action leave one empty-handed.” This insight became crystal clear to me through a simple yet significant episode involving a coffee cup—a thoughtful gift from my daughter Bethany. It not only highlighted a personal oversight but also opened my eyes to deeper spiritual and psychological truths.

Bethany gave me a travel coffee cup, hoping to add a bit of comfort to the long hours I spend on the road as a truck driver. While I hadn’t been a regular coffee drinker on my routes, her gesture motivated me to change that. I set everything up the night before, positioning the new cup next to the coffee pot, fully intending to start the next day with a warm brew.

However, the next morning, in the rush to start my day, I completely forgot about the coffee. It wasn’t until I was miles down the road that I realized the cup was still sitting next to the untouched coffee pot. This slip-up was a stark reminder that intentions alone do not lead to outcomes; actions do.

This realization led me to reflect on a broader application, particularly in spiritual disciplines. Many of us set intentions to enhance our spiritual lives, such as praying more, reading Scripture regularly, or embodying the virtues of Christ more fully. Yet, without actionable steps, these intentions can easily fall by the wayside. This aligns closely with the biblical admonition found in James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” This scripture underscores the importance of putting our faith into practice, not just agreeing with it in principle.

My friend Calvin offered a practical tip that unexpectedly shed light on how to bridge the gap between intention and action. He places his keys in his hat and then puts it on top of any item he needs to remember. Taking inspiration from Calvin’s routine, I placed my hat with the keys inside next to my new coffee cup. This visual cue worked effectively the next morning, helping me remember to make and take my coffee. This small victory was a practical demonstration of a well-known principle in psychology: environmental cues can significantly enhance our ability to remember and perform actions.

In psychological terms, forming a new habit or changing an existing one can often be facilitated by what are known as “behavioral triggers.” These triggers act as reminders or cues that initiate a behavior, much like Calvin’s hat and keys. They’re a part of what psychologists call the “habit loop,” which includes a cue, a routine, and a reward. In this scenario, my reward was enjoying the coffee, which reinforced my desire to repeat the process in the future.

Strategies for Effective Habit Formation

To make new habits stick, whether they’re personal or spiritual, here are some actionable steps you can take:

• Create Strong Visual Cues: Just as the hat and keys reminded me to take my coffee, placing visible reminders can help us follow through on spiritual disciplines. For example, leaving a Bible open on your kitchen table can prompt you to read a passage each morning.
• Link New Habits to Established Routines: If coffee brewing is already part of your morning, use that time for reflection or prayer. This technique leverages existing habits to support new ones, enhancing the likelihood that both will be carried out.
• Discuss Goals and Progress: Just as sharing my forgetfulness with Calvin led to a practical solution, discussing your spiritual goals with others can provide accountability and support. This is crucial for maintaining motivation and receiving constructive feedback.

The lesson of the forgotten coffee cup teaches us that intentions, while necessary, are insufficient by themselves. They must be coupled with consistent actions. Whether it’s enjoying a morning coffee or growing in our faith, each requires us not just to plan but to act. Let’s use each day to turn our intentions into tangible actions, thereby enriching not only our mornings but also our spiritual lives.

—Josh Mullins—