#2 Discipline

I used to think that I was really good at discipline. I would read books on it, watch inspirational videos, then dive into my cold plunge and say that I was so disciplined. That’s not discipline. That’s a kid who’s chasing his next high. Discipline is brute-forcing yourself into something, even when it’s hard. It’s pushing yourself to commit to a task, even when you don’t want to. It’s pushing yourself so far that a part of you begs for you to quit, wishes you could quit. It’s pushing to that point, then ignoring that feeling and pushing some more. It’s sticking with those tough conditions and getting used to being there. Discipline is adapting to the tough changes. 

Sounds brutal, doesn’t it? I used to think so. Then I lived out the alternative. I became a quitter when it came to my job. I held a lot of jobs over the years. Cushy jobs that didn’t really require much of me, but that I got tired of and quit all the same. I look back and think to myself “man, what an idiot I was for giving up on that one. What happened?!?!” 

I’ll tell you what happened: I had no discipline. I rode the new-job high, and when it wore off, I simply looked for another one. I mean, I worked in malls and gyms and cozy offices. I have had it good every step of the way! But when the going got tough, I simply got going. I never stood up to it. Never told the ache “no.” I think if we don’t push through those times, we wind up rotting inside.

I think of the kid who went viral a few years back for breaking down in the middle of a Starbucks, saying that working a full 8-hour shift is too hard. I think about that a lot. I don’t sympathize with the kid. I have names for him that I probably shouldn’t say in a public space. But I don’t criticize him because it’s difficult. No, I get that part. Working in the food industry is rough. But it’s the kind of rough that makes you as it breaks you. It builds a work ethic, an ability to push through those tough moments. To punch in when everything in your gut says “walk away and never come back.” It can be your superpower, but only if you can develop it. 

But I sympathize with the need for guidance. How much persistence is too much? When are you pushing yourself to the point of hurting yourself? It’s almost like we need a divine, cosmic coach to tell us when to push and when to quit. I have seen God play that role for me. To remind me to rest when I am burning out. To open the doors to be able to do so. The week before last, I felt like all signs were starting to point towards resting a little more. But my week was packed with commitments, so I prayed about it. I asked God what the heck I was supposed to do. Then two of my three weekly commitments canceled on me, and my weekly homework took all of twenty minutes. Needless to say, rest found me. 

So discipline yourself to something. Find some healthy parameters and set a goal. Then keep to that goal, no matter how you are feeling. Run once a week, study a new subject or, if you’re a fellow introvert, leave the house for once! (I know that’s asking for a lot, but you can do this!) 

But we can’t just hack it, can we? Yes and no. I think what has helped me to keep going is to remember all the wonderful things that I neglected because I lacked discipline. All the good jobs that I quit too soon and all the opportunities I missed because I was chasing the next high. All those things that could have gone so much better if I had only stopped expecting every moment to be funner than the last. If you don’t have those mistakes made yet, try to imagine the path that your life would take if you quit. What kind of person would you become? Would you be able to stand in the rain when it actually matters? Or will your ever-growing habit of making excuses be your downfall when it really counts? 

I know that these are unsettling thoughts, but maybe they should be. A life without discipline is a scary thing. But discipline and inspiration go hand-in-hand. American author Zig Ziglar once said 

Motivation isn’t permanent. But neither is bathing. That’s why it’s recommended daily.

So learn to tap into what inspires you. Whip up a good inspiration playlist, pin good quotes around the house or office. Do whatever it takes to bring your A-game to each day. Because if you can put your best foot forward every day, then that will put you on a great road, and you will become truly powerful indeed. 

I pray that discipline finds you, and that you have the courage to develop it. I pray that the heart is given to you, and that you live a life worth leading!

Until Next Time

May Peace be your Guide.