I have decided to write a short article today on self discipline. It is all good and well having dreams and goals to take you to where you wish to go, but discipline is the fuel that drives the engine that takes you there. I believe consistency is one of the big keys to a successful personal development program and it is discipline that will provide that consistency. It is very easy to be motivated and driven when all is going well, it is when all is not well that you find out what you are truly made of.
If you are to be successful in life it is very important to learn that emotion is to be replaced by discipline. If you come to rely on emotion to determine action or inaction, then the result of that will be massive inconsistency. This is why goals are so important, when you know your destination, the path to that destination then becomes very clear. It is no longer a matter of doing what you feel like doing, it is a matter of doing what needs to be done regardless of how you feel. This is the attitude of the person who will ultimately get what they want out of life.
Self discipline is developed like a muscle, as with developing muscle it’s a case of no pain, no gain. It is developed by exposure to increasing resistance. This can be difficult, frustrating or even painful, but as I have said a million times by now, nobody said this was going to be easy. An exceptional quality of life requires exceptional measures to achieve it, personal development is for the committed, not those looking for freebies!
I really did not feel like writing today, it is discipline that is ultimately responsible for the words on this page. Had I relied on feelings and emotion I would probably still be in be bed or shopping! I struggle as much as any with this issue of disciple and self control, I think we all struggle, but with constant practice and determination even the most lethargic of souls can develop good discipline skills and accomplish more from life.