The most important habit of mine, hands down, is repeating my personal mission statement every single day.

This habit reminds me what in my life is important, who I want to become, and that I have a purpose in life.

I led an average aimless life, and following my personal mission statement allowed me to live the life of meaning.

I definitely prefer the second state. It's more fulfilling. It's more enjoyable. It's worth living for.

My personal mission statement is like a compass. First, it signifies that there is some 'north' I can aspire to. Second, it shows me the direction in my everyday life.

Both those functions combined led me to believe there is some higher purpose in my life and gives me concrete guidelines on how to pursue it right here and right now.

Spiritual Habits

The next in order are my spiritual habits: prayer, studying the Bible, and reading a book written by a saint.

I consider my spiritual life the most important aspect of my life. My skills, talents and possessions will serve me only in this realm. Who I become, will serve me for eternity.

Thus I cultivate those habits very diligently.

Prayer is the most common discipline in all religions that connect a human being with a divine being.

I study a Bible because I'm a Christian and, according to my faith, this is the Word of God. In some way, it's another form of prayer and 'getting to know' God.

I read books written by saints because I deeply believe in learning from those who 'have been there and done that.' Why should I learn about holiness from someone who knows it only theoretically, when I can read the teachings of people who became saints?

Maintenance Habits

Next in the order of importance are my 'maintenance habits.' They help me to get and stay in good physical and mental health.

I exercise every day for at least a few minutes. This is truly a habit, which sole purpose is keeping me in shape. I don't value fitness very high. I don't earn a living using my body (like sportsmen) or showing it off (like models). For me, it's just a tool. I have big plans for my life; I need a lot of energy to work on them, and it just makes sense to keep my body in an optimal form.

By the way, 'optimal' is quite a high standard. I can do over 160 pushups and 40 pullups. I really don't need more than 10 minutes a day to maintain this performance, because I work out very intensively.

I journal six days a week and, on Sundays, I review my entries from a previous week. Journaling is an amazing multi-purpose tool for me.

It taught me how to get a better grip over my self-talk and attitude. This is a very valuable skill that's hard to learn when you didn't pay attention to those things for your whole life.

With journaling, it's easy. It happens 'on its own.' Capturing your thought on paper provides clarity and internal insights. This is no longer rambling of your subconscious mind. On paper, it's a coherent discussion with yourself.

When my coach recommended to meditate, I had zero troubles with that. Many beginners are shocked and overwhelmed by the constant chatter that takes place inside their skulls. Thanks to journaling, I discovered this 'inner crowd' long time ago.

Journaling also provides a 'me time' that is so rare nowadays. Every single day, I spend 10-15 minutes with my own thoughts. I can plan, I can dream, I can retrospect and learn. I can do all those things most of us are 'too busy' to do.

Gratitude

I keep three gratitude diaries. One is about my wife, one about my kids, and one about my life in general.

I dedicate about 15 minutes every evening to fill those diaries with entries. There is no better way to experience abundance than by cultivating gratitude.

Before my life transformation, my motto was "Expect the worst; that way you will have only pleasant surprises."

You don't have to believe in the power of gratitude or expect positivity to govern in your life to make it happen. This is simply the way gratitude works.

“Gratitude rewires your brain into positivity.”
 “When the brain is positive every possible outcome we know how to test for raises dramatically.” – Shawn Achor

I heard Shawn Achor on the podcast three years after I started my first gratitude diary. I did it without any deeper purpose. Many successful people recommended this activity, and I enjoyed it, that's all.

But when I heard his message, I realized that it is true. Everything in my life became better (doubling my income, a better job, first home for our family, 170 fitness records, etc.) and 'coincidently,' gratitude journaling was one of the habits I established from the very beginning.

The Last Habit

I write 1,000 words a day. Well, that's my goal; sometimes it's 100 words less, sometimes 1,000 words more. And I've been writing every single day since 23rd of September.

It's very important to me because I want to become a full-time writer. And what do writers do? They write.

I failed in the last few years with almost all of the above-mentioned habits a few or several times. But I never neglected my daily writing.

I started with no following, no authority, no clue, and writing in English, which is not my mother tongue. I don't write a beautiful prose. But my consistency enabled my English, as well as my writing, to improve.

Thousands of people follow me on social media and on my email list. If you believe Quora statistics, millions of people read my answers. I published 15 books. I earned this year almost five additional salaries (in 7 months) from the royalties alone. People are inviting me to be a guest on their podcasts or to contribute to their books.

I attribute most of those results to my writing consistency.

Why do you practice your daily habits?
 How do you motivate yourself to persist in practicing your daily habits?

I think I answered both of those questions describing my habits. Habits are the shortcut to success. I don't have to be talented, smart, beautiful or lucky. All I need is to persevere, and I can enjoy the benefits of my habits.

Who would not like to be healthy? (I was sick only twice since July 2013). Who would not like to be fit? Who would not like to earn a handsome additional income by doing something he loves? Who would not like to be more self-composed, self-confident and self-disciplined?

I have achieved and am still achieving all of those things via my habits.

What systems are assisting you in it?

I track my habits in Coach.me application.

What other daily habits do you plan to incorporate into your daily routine and why?

I don't plan to incorporate more habits. I know how to do it, but my days are full. If anything, I need to go back to a few good habits I abandoned along the way. Once I quit my day job and will have more time, I will reconsider this answer.