In the 1960s, Dr. Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon and author, noticed something surprising and profound. His patients, whether adjusting to a new appearance after surgery or coping with the loss of a limb, seemed to take about 21 days before they accepted and adapted to their new reality. This simple observation became the foundation of what we now call the 21/90 Rule. Later thinkers expanded it in the following terms: if you practice a behavior consistently for 21 days, it becomes a habit. If you sustain it for 90 days, it becomes a lifestyle.
At first glance, this principle may look like just another self improvement idea yet it holds something deeper. For Christians, it is not only about discipline or self mastery but stewardship; which is often misunderstood as being mostly about money or sparing time to serve. It is really about how we care for all that God has entrusted to us our bodies, our minds, our time, our relationships, and even our thoughts. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we are called upon to honor God with them. What better way to honor Him than by cultivating rhythms that sustain life, joy, and service.
Imagine applying the 21/90 principle to simple everyday acts of faithfulness such as: maintaining healthy sleep patterns so that our minds remain sharp and our spirits alert in service to God, carving out time daily for prayer and scripture reflection, reaching out to family and friends with a call or a message, reminding our loved ones that they are seen and loved, exercising our bodies not for show but to remain strong and capable of fulfilling our responsibilities, practicing healthy eating and perhaps most importantly, becoming mindful of our thought patterns. Many of us truly underestimate how powerfully negative self talk can poison our souls and how gratitude and positive confession can restore peace.
The journey at a first instance feels demanding. On day one, we are full of zeal, but by day seven, fatigue, excuses, and even guilt may creep in. Yet here lies the invitation! The first 21 days are not about perfection, they are about showing up. They are about pushing through the resistance, forgiving ourselves for the stumbles and remembering that even five minutes of prayer is better than none. Over time, small and faithful steps lead to flow. By day 21, something shifts, by day 90, what once felt like effort may begin to feel natural.
This is where stewardship takes root. Stewardship is not about achieving a flawless record but about faithfully aligning our daily lives with God’s purposes. It is the simple act of saying, “Lord, today I will try again. Today I will honor You with this body, with this mind, with these relationships.” In that light, the 21/90 Rule is not about self improvement for its own sake; it is about discipleship. It is about letting God transform our ordinary routines into testimonies of His grace.
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:31 echo clearly here: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Anchoring habits in prayer, gratitude, and accountability with trusted brothers and sisters in Christ makes the journey lighter and keeps us steady when motivation wanes.When Dr. Maltz first wrote about his 21-day observation in the 1960s, he could not have imagined how far reaching it would become. Yet decades later, in a world of busyness, distraction and stress, his simple insight continues to hold weight. Transformation is not born from grand gestures but from small, daily acts of faithfulness.
As Christians, when we embrace this rule, we are not simply forming habits we are shaping a lifestyle of stewardship. One that honors God in the ordinary: in how we sleep, how we pray, how we relate, how we eat and how we think. The 21/90 Rule becomes not just a tool for self-growth, but a rhythm of grace, a pattern of faithfulness, and a reminder that in the smallest acts lived consistently, God is glorified.
Is a seasoned psychologist with over 20 years’ experience in mental health, specializing in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-CBT for children, adolescents, and adults. He pioneered ADHD support groups at Chiromo Lane Medical Centre and actively serves in professional associations including ISSUP Kenya, KCPA, KPA, and GBP-Africa.
