I’m preparing for the next adventure of a lifetime. In a few weeks we are hiking the Grand Canyon – one day to walk down, a day at the canyon floor and then two days to walk up. 1000 metres down and the same back up. Yikes. After that we’re going to New Orleans and then driving a Mustang convertible up Highway 61 to Memphis (the blues trail). We’ll end up in Chicago, the destination of so many of the great blues singers.But first we have to get physically ready. For the past few weeks we have been intensifying our physical programme so that we have the stamina and strength for the hike. 1000 metres down and then up – did I mention that?What has been interesting to observe is how we have managed this programme. It helps enormously that we have an end goal that we have to prepare for, but probably even more important is that the programme sits on top of a steady platform of our exercise habit. If you have a habit, you don’t have to think about whether you will or you won’t. You don’t have choices. You don’t have options. You’re going to do it.I’ve cultivated the fitness habit, and I’ve extended that to other areas of my life. For example, my book will be published in November by Wiley. After years of promises and first chapters, I got it done by creating and maintaining a writing habit. This works in any area we want to improve in. Sales is a matter of habit. Aspects of leadership are a matter of habit. Good performance is a matter of habit.How do you cultivate good habits? It’s actually reasonably easy, and it’s tremendously powerful. We did a module on it in a couple of our programmes, and we’re running a seminar on the subject on the 9th September. It’s a fascinating and valuable take on how we can easily create and use the power of habit to get more of the good stuff in our lives and business. Click for more information and to register.