I received a fair amount of comments on my article from a few weeks ago titled Do Hard Things where I did a triathlon in the remnants of a hurricane. Mostly positive and constructive on how hearing my thoughts were motivating to my readers. Yet, a few comments were centered around, “That’s all nice and good for you, but I could never do that. I’m just not that disciplined.”
To wit, many see discipline as a ball and chain, a joy-killer, an obstacle that can’t be overcome. And, it is human nature to not want to do the hard thing, right? I mean, why get up in the morning when you can hit snooze? Why resist the ice cream cone when it tastes so good? Why not binge watch your favorite series on Netflix while the day goes by?
But, in reality, I believe discipline is a dream-maker and a reward-accelerator. Discipline develops joy as you acquire the necessary capabilities to turn your dreams into reality.
A goal you wanted to achieve 3 years ago remains incomplete because you haven’t put the necessary discipline into it. You feel a lack of fulfillment because of it. And maybe even guilt because the goal could’ve likely been accomplished by now.
In life, few things hurt worse than the regret caused by lack of discipline. Ignoring discipline often reveals opportunities that passed you by. That, my friends, is a joy-killer. That, is the ultimate reward-reducer.
Build your life around meaningful discipline that accelerates you into the joy of making your dreams a reality.
Nothing worth doing comes easy. It takes effort, work, and a commitment to doing hard things. I didn’t wake up that morning of my Screw Covid race having slept in all summer and eating bon-bons. I put in 12 weeks of focused and intense training. I knew it would be hard, but I knew those past 12 weeks of daily training disciplines would take me to the finish line in spite of the weather.
All this isn’t to say, “I’m perfect, look at me.” I’m far from it!
I lack discipline in a lot of areas of my life.
But I’m not giving up.
I’m simply saying that hard things are often a culmination of positive disciplines that are consistently applied on a daily basis. (I like that… read that again.)
The challenge is to change our mindsets on the word ‘discipline’ from negative to positive. It’s a good thing. It brings you the joy needed to take the next step, and the reward experienced to climb the next mountain.
Maybe you don’t believe it yourself. Maybe you’ve never heard it from others. But I believe in you. I’m proud of you. You matter. I appreciate the life you’ve lived and the steps you’ve taken.
Now, step forward into the discipline you need to accomplish your next goal. It’s worth it.
Do hard things.
