To stay the course, live a generally balanced existence, and achieve one’s goals you must develop self-discipline. Without self-discipline you are doomed to a life of regret on the “boulevard of broken dreams”. If broken marriages, credit problems, bankruptcy, and fractured friendship are a normal occurrence in your life these may be a symptoms of poor decision-making and lack of self-discipline. In other words self discipline, good judgment, and a sound mind can counter to many of the negative situations we find ourselves in.
Self-Discipline (as defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary) – is the correction or regulation of oneself for the sake of improvement.
Self Discipline says:
You don’t miss classes and you graduate on time.
You save 10% of your income for emergencies and retirement.
You get up every morning and exercise before work.
You moderate your food type and intake, which maintains a healthy weight.
You read 1 or 2 books per months and expand your horizons.
You self-invest and stay current on timely topics in your chosen career field.
You manage your time so you don’t neglect family and friends for work or self indulgent pursuits.
You pay your bills on time and maintain good credit.
Clearly this is a very short list but it gives you a clear idea of what self discipline means in your life. Without self-discipline life can quickly careen out of control.
Four Key Areas of Discipline – Below are four areas I recognize as trouble spots for most people and as you read them you may recognize yourself, others, and even additional areas of life where we need to “get it together”.
Emotional Discipline
What does lack of emotional discipline look like? If you are constantly complaining, nagging those closest you, regularly being difficult to get along with, in the middle of most of the negative activity in your office, and have temper flare-ups you are exhibiting lack of self discipline. The same people who terrorize their subordinates, friends, and certain family members but fawn over their management, or social groups they want to impress are guilty of lack of control. It is also very unlikely that they are well thought of in their social or family circles.
Think before speaking and act sensibly. If you are regularly “going off” on people and people are tiptoeing around you it is clearly time to take inventory of your life. Do you have any real friends left? Are you toxic? If the answers to these two questions are yes, its time to get a grip on your emotions and act responsibly.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
Financial Discipline
If ever anyone needed a reason to exercise financial good sense the global financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 should give you a good reason to act with fiscal responsibility.
If you managed your money wisely even with dreary returns on investment vehicles such as 401k’s, IRA’s, Mutual Funds, and other market investing vehicles you are disciplined enough to make it through these troubled financial times.
People with self-discipline wisely manage their money. They learn to live on less than they make and they invest the difference sensibly. They also understand that the real value of a budget is that it tells you that your money goes where you want it to go rather than having you wondering where it went! The result is you don’t have “too much month at the end of the check” every 30 days when you have to pay bills which is cringe-making when you go to the mailbox.
Perhaps you have lost your job or your business has folded. Having put away 10% of your income regularly year after year is no doubt a blessing now when you need capital to keep yourself and your family safe. If you are a good steward of your finances you can very likely continue to save even now.
Health Discipline
People with self-discipline maintain their health through proper nutrition, exercise, and visiting the doctor when appropriate. This is how one can enjoy an active lifestyle, accomplish goals and enjoy the achievements that good health affords.
Time Management Discipline
People with self-discipline stick to their schedule unless derailed by an emergency. Don’t let the tyranny of minutiae or unimportant interruptions put you off schedule from accomplishing important tasks. If you don’t determine how you will spend your time guaranteed others will decide for you!
I feel that God wants you to develop discipline of yourself that pushes you to do things, even as others are giving up and throwing in the towel. The extra few inches are what will make you successful.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version)
©2009 THJ & Associates, LLC
things to say about everything and everybody. It is up to you how much time you want to spend around them, but I suggest doing a gut check test. Does your stomach hurt when you anticipate spending time with them? Do you avoid phone calls and visits with them? This is a very personal thing and one that you will have to decide on your own. Consider setting boundariesand then enforcing them! For instance, if you have a friend that insists on calling you during the evening meal with your family full of tales of how awful her spouse is, it may be time to have a chat and set those boundaries. Don’t allow anybody to guilt you into doing what feels wrong to you.
