Personal Freedom
“As the saying goes, “Self-discipline is a form of freedom. Freedom from laziness and lethargy; freedom from expectations and demands of others; and freedom from weakness, fear and doubt.” — This was said by Harvey Dorfman, a sports psychologist who won a World Series Ring with the Oakland A’s in 1989 and the Florida Marlins in 1997.
Truer words were never spoken. In most cases we think of discipline as something enforced by another upon us. Something that takes place when you have done something wrong. In other words the enforcement of discipline on one for going outside set boundaries. We do this when our pet does something wrong or use discipline to train the pet. That is not what is being spoken of here. What is spoken of here is the enforcement of SELF-DISCIPLINE.
Bautista’s Martial Arts says there are 10 Powerful Ways to Master Self-Discipline. They are:
1. Know your weaknesses
2. Remove Temptations
3. Set Clear Goals AND have an execution plan
4. Build your Self-Discipline
5. Create new habits by keeping it simple
6. Eat often and eat healthy
7. Change your perception about willpower
8. Give yourself a backup plan
9. Reward yourself
10. Forgive yourself and move forward
Like everything else, the greatest struggles ALWAYS come from within. Self-Discipline helps us to avoid many of the pitfalls the majority fall into. People with a higher degree of self-control spend less time debating whether to indulge in that which will be detrimental to their own health. People with self-discipline are more readily able to make positive decisions. They are not given to allowing impulses to dictate their choices and as such make level headed decisions. Self-disciplined people are more often satisfied with their lives.
When I was a young man just getting started in my working life, I found something that helped me tremendously. This was to find out what it was that my boss OR the market place expected from me and set my target higher. By following this type of self-discipline, I was always able to make sure I not only satisfied what was expected of me, I was also able, due to setting my target/goals higher, to exceed what they expected. Living in this manner meant I never had to hear my boss say how disappointed they were with me. I also knew if I lived in this manner, the market place would reward me for going over and above. Those in the market place would seek me out due to the reputation I would develop. I would be a sought out commodity in the same manner of any valuable commodity.
So, when you look at the ten ways above to master self-discipline, you obviously realize there must be some effort put in on your part to identify weaknesses, remove temptations, set goals, create new habits, eat healthy, change your perception, devise a backup plan, reward yourself and most of all, learn to forgive yourself for falling short of your own and others expectations. It does not matter what age you are or what position you hold in your job, what is important is to live a life of fulfillment. By being self-disciplined, you can and will live that life and enjoy the rewards of doing so.
Best of LUCK as you
Labor Under Correct Knowledge…
Respectfully,
Rick Cox