Discipline Delivers Determination
This week I’ve written about discipline. To reiterate it’s |the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience. Punishment could also be considered consequences and we’ll revisit in a bit, but for now I’d like to address more of the benefits I’ve gotten from following a code of behavior.
When I’m disciplined, I excel. I don’t perform comparable to my peers, I typically outperform my peers. When I’m disciplined, I keep moving forward. Discipline delivers determination. If you search for synonyms of confidence you’ll find determination. A not so often used, but quite poignant definition of determination is a tendency to move in a fixed direction. Confidence is the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something, it’s a firm trust. Either way you look at it, being disciplined fosters building your confidence. Your self value and self esteem will increase as you exercise more discipline. It’s true in my case and I’m certain, if you do what I did, you will get what I’ve gotten.
Today I’m more disciplined and determined than in my past. The easiest way to start gaining confidence and determination is by being disciplined. When I was really struggling with depression, one of the therapists assigned us a task of making our bed daily. I’m not sure whether you’ve had depression like I have and I hope you haven’t, but if you have, making my bed everyday seemed like an impossible task. It seemed Herculian at times and if I recall correctly, I could only achieve this feat for about three or four days in a row. The same could be said about Herb’s assignment of writing something everyday. With this one I actually counted the days and made it a little over 90 but not quite 100 days. I’ve heard and read about people brushing their teeth or taking a shower and getting dressed as examples too, but that’s not my experience.
I mention my experience in these matters for a few reasons, but the main one is this - it’s something just about everyone can relate to. They are simple enough tasks, but the confidence gained is really my point. By displaying a bit of discipline, I get tremendous dividends. The greatest of those is the ability to attempt more complicated tasks than the last. There’s a bit of momentum that’s created, drawing me towards my destination, my end goal, my purpose.
Fifteen years ago, the thought of moving to another country to write a book would have seemed impossible. Today, I’ve already done that and it wasn’t so bad. It took discipline, which was strengthened by performing the task.I’m a published author now and had I not faced my fear, been courageous, and followed a code of behavior (writing something everyday) I would not b able to truthfully say that. As I embark on writing another piece of literature, the outline is completed, I can reflect on what I’ve already accomplished, and if or when self doubt rears its ugly head, I can remember that I’ve already done something much more challenging.
Today, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, I am grateful that: