I don’t think I’m disciplined


There are a LARGE number of people who are disciplined in certain areas but are NOT disciplined.

People have told me that they wish they were as disciplined as I am.

The funny thing is, I don’t think I’m very disciplined.

I have a long way to go before I would ever call myself disciplined.

Sure, I’m making some minor improvements here and there and whatever, but I have a long way to go.

Sometimes I look back on the things that I’ve done in the past. Timehop shows me all of my old tweets from the early 2010s and I am often pleased by the mindset that I had during my teenage years.

I don’t know where my mindset developed or formed from but there are many things that I’ve been glad to see.

As I’m now 23, a LOT has changed — but my mind is stronger now and I’m definitely more organized.

The important things to me are important in all situations and I carry out my values in all situations also.

But, I wouldn’t say I’m disciplined.

There are days where I intend to wake up at 6:30 (like today) yet I don’t get out of bed until past 9:00.

That throws me off. The discipline is destroyed.

It may just be a small thing but then we must examine… what is discipline?


DEFINING DISCIPLINE

Here are a few of the definitions that I pulled that fit the context of this word usage:

1. To train or develop by instruction and exercise especially in self-control.
2. Training to act in accordance with rules; drill.
3. The ability to control yourself or other people, even in difficult situations.

So now, what is self-control? “restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires”

As we can see from the definition of discipline, it’s a lot bigger than simply doing what you said you’re going to do.

The key part of that definition for me is the implied consistency.

I’ve gotten to a point where I am consistently up and attacking the day before 5:00 am. That happens at least half of the week.

But that’s only half of the equation.

As anyone who’s tried to get up before 6:00 am more than one day a week knows, it’s all about what time you actually go to sleep.

For better or worse, I’ve only been getting to bed before 10:00 pm about 2 days a week. That’s not sustainable — not when I want to be awake at 4:00 am or earlier.

It’s about the all-encompassing part of discipline.

There are a LARGE number of people who are disciplined in certain areas but are NOT disciplined.

Think about the athletes who work their butt off in the gym and kill it on the court… but then spend every off night in clubs, drinking, and staying up until 4 am. Nothing against that type of lifestyle but it certainly doesn’t seem disciplined to me.

Think about the teachers who manage their classrooms very strictly and have everything in a specific place for their students… but then live in a home that doesn’t have any level of organization at all. Nothing against that type of lifestyle but it certainly doesn’t seem disciplined to me.

Think about the pastors who lead their congregations to read the Bible more, follow God’s teachings more closely, and develop a closer relationship with God… but then practice adultery and have affairs. MUCH against this type of lifestyle and it certainly doesn’t seem disciplined to me.

So is reading almost every day disciplined? NO.
So is waking up at 4 am almost every day disciplined? NO.
So is working out almost every day disciplined? NO.

Discipline is continuous; there is no start time or end time.


BECOMING MORE DISCIPLINED

“Focus on who is in front of you and behind you so you are aware of where your position is going.” — Tim Schloesser
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” — Jane Goodall
“There are two types of people in this world, those who make excuses and those who get the job done.” — Harrison Wendland
“You are never more successful than when you make your plans, advance your cause, and overcome your obstacles on your knees in prayer. The leader who advances on his knees need never retreat.” — Charles Swindoll

The MOST important area of life to be disciplined in is your faith.

I have started every single morning in the Word for the past 14 months and there has been nothing even comparable in terms of impact. Starting in prayer, starting in the Bible, starting with peaceful centering activities have been more impactful in a positive way than just about everything else combined.

Think about the things that you do every single day, why do you do them?

Most of us eat, shower, sleep, talk, read something, and see other people every single day.

Why?

Those are repeated actions, the first step to living a disciplined life.

The key aspect of discipline is the underlying reason or reasons behind the discipline. Why do an action repeatedly over an extended period of time in a specific way?

Once you figure that out for yourself, your level of discipline will increase exponentially.

I exercise consistently because my mind works better when my body is challenged. If I can consistently put myself in a position of discomfort and growth, I’m going to perform better.


“Don’t pray to get out of the desert — pray to get the most out of the desert.” — Dave Adamson
“I make myself uncomfortable on purpose so that nothing anyone says or does will negatively impact me — because I already experienced worse.” — Harrison Wendland

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