I'm not an Olympic athlete. Yet every day, I lace up my shoes and set off to run 5 km a day, that's 150 km in 30 days.

Why do you ask? Because I've discovered that rigor is the highest form of self-love.

It's not always easy Some mornings I don't feel like it. There are evenings when I'd rather collapse on the couch. But it's precisely those days that count the most. It's easy to get ahead when the weather's nice. It's when it's hard that you build your character.

The power of habit in life This physical discipline has rubbed off on the rest of my life:

• I procrastinate less.
• I manage my stress better.
• I'm more patient.

Habit creates structure. And in a chaotic world, that structure is reassuring. It reminds me that if I can control my steps, I can control the direction of my life.

If you're looking for a sign to start something today, here it is. Don't wait for motivation, it's fickle. Build a habit, it's faithful.