You’ve Already Mastered One Life-Changing Habit (You Just Don’t Think About It)

Every person reading this has already mastered one habit that changed their life. You just don’t think about it anymore.

It’s something you’ve done tens of thousands of times, and you probably did it this morning without thinking.

Let’s talk about brushing your teeth.

It sounds almost too simple, right? But stick with me. There’s a whole world of growth lessons hidden in this everyday habit.

I’ll let you in on a little secret: I actually hated brushing my teeth as a kid. (Yep, my parents can definitely vouch for this!) I’d avoid it whenever I could, and it took a lot of nudging before it finally stuck. But eventually, it did. And I’m so glad they pushed me because now it’s automatic, effortless, and essential.

When a Chore Becomes a Habit

Believe it or not, brushing your teeth wasn’t always a given. There was a time when people didn’t see it as necessary, and the results showed: tooth decay, yellow teeth, bad breath, and even losing teeth early.

Health advocates realized the solution wasn’t more information, it was behavior change. Even when people knew the consequences, they didn’t care enough to act. It just felt like a chore with no immediate reward.

So they added a cue and a payoff — the minty fresh feeling. Suddenly brushing didn’t just clean your mouth, it felt good. That simple reward helped millions of people turn a task into a lifelong habit.

That’s the turning point — when something stops being what you do and starts becoming who you are.

Once adults got hooked, they passed it on to their kids. And sure, kids resisted (I know I did), but after thousands of reminders, something clicked. Over time, brushing became automatic, a habit we rarely think about but always do.

If you started brushing your teeth twice a day around age four or five, first with help, then on your own, by the time you’re thirty, you’ve put in nearly 20,000 reps.

That’s twenty thousand intentional actions you barely even think about anymore.

When Nothing Can Stop You

Here’s what blows my mind about brushing your teeth — it’s failure proof.

We brush when we’re sick, tired, scared, frustrated, or overwhelmed. Whatever emotion or challenge tries to stop you, you still brush your teeth.

If you lose your toothbrush, you buy a new one.

If your toothpaste runs out, you replace it.

Even when you’re sick or exhausted, you still find a way. That’s what a deeply built habit looks like.

It’s so deeply ingrained that nothing can stop it. You don’t debate it. You don’t overthink it. You just do it.

And that’s what’s possible with any growth habit you want to build.

When something becomes part of who you are, you’ll tackle any resistance that tries to get in your way. You’ll push through bad days, bad moods, and even bad experiences because it’s no longer a decision.

It’s a rhythm.

It’s who you’ve become.

Consistency doesn’t need motivation; it needs identity.

The Reps That Build You And The Ones That Break You

Now, let’s flip the script.

Just like you’ve built thousands of reps brushing your teeth, think about the habits that might not be serving you — like picking up your phone.

The average person picks up their phone 80 to 100 times a day.

That doesn’t even count the 2,600 touches we make once it’s in our hands.

Over a decade, that’s hundreds of thousands of mindless actions. Each one gives your brain a small dopamine hit, training it to crave quick relief and constant stimulation.

By your 20s or 30s, that habit is just as automatic as brushing, but instead of health, it builds distraction and restlessness. The reps are there either way.

One habit keeps your mouth healthy. The other chips away at your focus.

The habits that shape your life aren’t the loud ones; they're the quiet ones you build on purpose.

Small Wins That Compound

Take Paul from Growdie. He used to hate flossing — never did it. But on January 19th, 2025, he decided to start. In that first month, he flossed 12 times. By February, 27. And from March through mid-October, he’s been flossing almost every single day — 265 times this year.

His wife even started a group text between the three of us: “Thank you, Growdie, for helping Paul become a daily flosser!” 😂

It’s those small, consistent wins that add up, not just for you, but for the people around you. That’s what real growth looks like: one simple action, repeated enough times to become part of who you are.

Your 300-Rep Challenge

We’ve seen how brushing your teeth became a habit that serves you, and how picking up your phone became one that doesn’t.

So here’s the real question: what habits are you putting reps into every day?

If you want to strengthen your relationship with God, spend time reading Scripture and praying.

If you want to grow in self-awareness, journal daily or take a moment to reflect before bed.

If you want to learn faster, read or listen to something that stretches your thinking.

Every habit compounds. Every rep counts. And over time, those small actions shape who you become.

So here’s my challenge to you:

Pick one habit you can see yourself building 300 reps in. Just 300.

Imagine how different your life could be if you showed up that consistently.

If you can do it for your teeth, you can do it for your growth. You just have to decide it matters that much.

Make your growth as automatic as brushing your teeth.

We’ll be there to cheer you on every rep of the way.