“Work hard. Through determination and self-focus and discipline, you can accomplish anything.”—Kimberly Guilfoyle
Efforts to post daily to this blog puts a bit of a strain on the channels of inspiration. I asked friends for some, and among the replies was a reminder about discipline. I was told that, “You may be having trouble with inspiration… but what you do have is more important… you have discipline.” It was the inspiration I needed to write… well, what I am writing…, and the encouragement I needed. I welcomed it as a compliment, as well. (Thanks, Josh!)
When we lack inspiration, discipline and determination prevail. We just have to keep at it—whatever we are doing.
I am not sure that anything profound is going to come from this, but the practice of self-discipline always makes us better. And, so, I write….
Discipline comes from doing. Perhaps, our greatest obstacle is the first step. If you have something to do, start. Thank action and results will follow.
“Discipline” has become a bit distorted in the discussion of parenting. Teaching our children to be disciplined is a good thing. Discipline is not punishing bad behavior. Rather, it is the necessary rewarding of good behavior. Discipline and integrity are related. Integrity is defined by Webster-Merriam as “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values.” Likewise, discipline is self-control. These are learned qualities. I am grateful to have been taught and to have learned to be disciplined. Thus, I seek to teach my children the same.
Discipline is practiced by doing that which is difficult. According to Joshua Spodek, “discipline doesn’t enable you to do things. Doing things consistently makes you disciplined.” Spodek coined the acronym, “SIDCHA” (pronounced: sid-cha), which is a self-imposed daily challenging healthy activity (see my post “SIDCHA”, August 2, 2016). For me, the challenge to continue writing and posting daily to this blog (thank you, Andy!) has become a bit of a SIDCHA for me over the last year. Exercise is another discipline. Diet—i.e., heathy eating—is a discipline. There are many ways in which we practice daily discipline and self-control. There are certainly many areas in which we need to develop disciple. Baby steps.
I have personally found that discipline comes from being challenged and welcoming the opportunity. Seek the opportunity!
Be your best today; be better tomorrow!
Carpe momento!
“With self-discipline most anything is possible.”—Theodore Roosevelt
Image: “Rocky”