“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough: we must do. “
- Bruce Lee
Without discipline, all the motivational teachings and time management strategies in the world will never be effective. You can keep playing around with words like ‘change’, ‘strive’, ‘courage’, ‘no excuses’, ‘desire to improve’, ‘be persistent’ and ‘goal setting’ all you want. It is easy to utter these words, but it is an arduous task to get yourself to do it.
In short, it is easier said than done. Don’t get me wrong; motivation is a wonderful thing. It is what gets us going in the first place, but self-discipline is the only thing that will keep us going once the excitement dries up. In my search for knowledge, I’ve attended seminars, sermons and workshops about anything and everything more times than I’d like to count. At some point, I began to realize that the ones who benefited the most from these meetings were not those who clapped the most, shouted the loudest “Amen” or grinned from ear to ear when the speaker made a joke, but those who continued to do what they were taught long after the fact.
The hard truth is — half of the time — all of us know or have an idea of what we should do to improve the areas of our lives that we are not satisfied with. Having financial problems? Increase your sources of income, save more, spend less and invest the rest. Weight issues? Go on a diet, exercise and drink lots of water. Loneliness? Become a friend in order to have friends.
I don’t mean to underrate what are in fact serious problems that people struggle with on a regular basis, but even the tallest of mountains can be climbed over time. Of course, the time it takes to overcome that mountain differs from person to person, but it can be done nonetheless. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. That’s not just a Shakespeare quote, but a truth about the way the world works. There’s also no reason why you cannot be any of the three.
Let’s not be naïve, though. Genetics, family\educational background and relationships do give some people a distinct advantage over others, but it is your choice to use that as a crutch for the rest of your life or not.
Countless books, articles and videos have provided solutions (some even supported by science) to our biggest problems and more. I'm sure a lot of us have even come across some 'helpful' quotes on the internet and social platforms. My favorites so far are, "If you don't like where you are then you should move; you're not a tree." and "When life gives you lemons, make grape juice. Then sit back and watch as the world wonders how you did it."
It doesn’t matter if you’re ready to charge Hell with a water pistol after a riveting presentation; what matters is the energy you put into making it a reality, even when you don’t feel like it. Most people, if motivated enough, go as far as BEGINNING to do what needs to be done. They get a gym membership, open a savings account, or enroll in a class, but the real change lies in CONTINUING to do what is necessary.
We live in a lightning-fast information age, and there is no doubt the knowledge that empowers us to succeed in various spheres of our lives is readily available. However, it's not the truth that we know that sets us free, but the truth that we know and apply. Positive change is intentional, and self-discipline allows us to take our lives off auto-pilot and steer towards continuous improvement.
Most of the troubles that plague modern individuals in our society — addiction, abuse, crime, domestic violence, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, prejudice, financial debt, failure at school and work, obesity — have some degree of self-control failure as a central aspect. We are too busy letting ourselves go, falling for the wrong people or getting hooked on something bad or counterproductive to take responsibility and grow as individuals. This is (mostly) a free world, but the word “freedom” has shifted its meaning from “liberty” to “casting off restraint”.
However, contrary to popular belief, self-discipline does not mean being hard on yourself, or having a restrictive lifestyle. It means self-control, which is a result of inner strength, and it is vital for success in today's world. Delayed gratification, focus, work ethic, perseverance, commitment and a standard of excellence are the staples of a successful person.
Theodore Bryant, a Human Behavior Specialist, says that there is a part of each and every one of us that resists change. He called this part 'Mr. Hyde'. To avoid self-discipline, Hyde uses tactics such as:
Fear of failure, success (that's right), risks, rejection and mediocrity keeps a lot of us from stepping out of our comfort zones to embrace discipline. Self-discipline is a skill that can be learned, and I invite you to come on this journey with me. Discover your true potential and awaken the giant inside of you (this time, for real).
Enjoy your reading. This will be the first of many victories for your life.