Self Discipline, for all intents and purposes, is simply the personal ability to totally and completely control oneself mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Self Discipline, in its purest form, is very difficult for most people to totally achieve. Our own flesh is just too strong and out of control and working against us, to ever accept and receive the “bit and bridle” of personal self control.
Self-Discipline is the foundation, the basis, the cornerstone of all good, proper, and lasting success. It is an absolute must-have character trait if you ever plan to achieve any significant level of success in any area of your life.
There are really only two arenas in which personal self-discipline is taught any more,…. in our society to our youth. Those areas are (1) athletics and (2) the military. Everywhere else it seems to be all right to let things or requirements slip by undetected or simply to be overlooked. Never forget that the summation of the little things, the details, is what makes up the quality of the whole, the accumulated big things. Details have always been important. I exhort you to never overlook them.
Most people shrink back or look with disfavor at the subject of self-discipline. They do so because most folks mentally attach hard work, committed effort, or sustained work ethic with the two words, self discipline. It is so sad, but it is so true.
Now hear this…..Self-discipline is the foundation of all significant accomplishment and for all long-term happiness. Ponder in your heart that last sentence. Most people, today, are longing for great accomplishment and long-term happiness. And yet, the very foundation required for them to possess that which they seek, is something they say that they do not want to do or put forth. The secret to being unhappy and miserable is simply to be confused and stay that way, to be lazy and stay lazy, to be an excuse maker instead of a difference maker. Which one are you?
When you say that you really want something and yet you refuse to do what is required to accomplish it,…that means to me, at least, that you really don’t want what it is that you say you want,…..or…..that you expect somebody else to do the required work to accomplish it and then simply hand it and all of its blessings and rewards over to you. In good ole “river-bottom” talk that means that you really want a “free lunch.”
Sorry Pal, you are looking for something that does not exist,…there just isn’t any such thing in the world of success. If you disagree with me and are bent on continuing to search for such a thing, then I warn you to figure and plan on wasting a whole lot of valuable time and effort to no avail. No where in recorded human history has anyone at any time ever been able to find something that does not exist. I urge you not to try to become the first one.
Now how in the world do you develop self-discipline? A very good question!
Self Discipline is developed through a very continuous and stringent training program with the primary purpose to establish strong and lasting physical, emotional, mental and spiritual endurance in your life!
Training is a process of regularly practicing a course of action or a set of instructions devised to achieve some desired results or goal. During the course of your training schedule, you will consequently master those instructions, perform them to completion and as a result, reach your desired dream or goal. Consistency and persistency of the practiced work ethic is what will always produce your results. That is exactly how you gain control over yourself.
You, the individual, are the one who is totally responsible for constantly practicing and performing your training regimen. You, alone, are the key to getting yourself into physical and mental shape which will allow you to complete your training. By keeping your mind and mental focus on the “WHY” you are working so hard to get into shape to accomplish your dream, you will be empowered to continue on practicing through the pain and discomfort of a regular training regimen. As you battle your way through the daily routine of training, you will gain strength and better control over your thoughts and emotions. You will begin to recognize the changes and growth that is starting to happen to you.
Success is not an accident. Success is a planned event. Self-Discipline is the bottom-line requirement of all successful activity. Your future is definitely in your own hands. Always remember the one who normally wins is the one who is in the best mental and physical condition.
This is the exact reason as to why you need to first identify what it is that you really want to accomplish,…before you start out in pursuit of something significant in your life,….some worth-while dream or goal.
There is an old sage saying that goes like this…..if you don’t know where you are going, you will not like where you wind up. Well, as relates to my topic of discussion, we can adjust this saying to go something like this……if you don’t know where you are going or why you are going there and you have not first resolved to pay full price to reach your desired destination,….then don’t waste your valuable resources and begin your trip. Get first things first. Know the Why before you get all rolled up in the How. When the Why is right,….the How will work itself out. Just make certain that your “Dream Tank” is full before starting up the road to your own Success.
Now remember,…. your why needs to be so big that you cannot accomplish it all by yourself. Your why needs to be so big that it will take lots of other people and their combined efforts to help and assist you in the achievement of your dream. In order to correctly lead these assistants, you must insure that your committed and disciplined work ethic serves as the right example for your helpers to follow.
One is simply too small of a number with which to try to succeed.
Now here is the real secret that evades most folks who try to succeed and don’t. Your dream, your why, the cause that keeps you on track with your daily self-discipline development program must be so big that it will also require direct assistance from your Heavenly Father.
Always,…Always,…leave room for God to be a very real and active part of all of your efforts. Never omit Him. Never leave Him out of decisions and activities you make and take as you pursue your dreams. Follow His guidance and His instructions as to how you interact and treat other people. Always do the right thing and do it the right way. Conduct all of your efforts with total honesty and integrity. Persevere and trust God to help you achieve your honest and proper goals. He will never let you down. And never forget, the pay is always better whenever you let God keep the books.
By controlling yourself through developed self-discipline, you will never miss out on anything. Rather, you will be preparing yourself to receive the very best that God has in store for you.
And when your achievement gets accomplished and its related blessings and rewards flow into your life,…..be absolutely certain that you give all the Praise and Honor, and Glory to Almighty God, who, in reality, allowed it all to happen to you.
Oh, and as a side note……be sure to give praise, edification, and great thankfulness for and to all those other people who helped and assisted you in reaching your dreams and goals. That is just plain old good common sense social manners and is the right thing to do!
Peace and love to all of you….Poppa Bear