On my desk sits a smooth, polished dark rock that has the word “Discipline” written on it. I didn’t happen upon this rock while strolling on a beach, it was one that each person from our church was given and then challenged to personalize by writing a word on it with a silver felt marker.
On my desk sits a smooth, polished dark rock that has the word “Discipline” written on it. I didn’t happen upon this rock while strolling on a beach, it was one that each person from our church was given and then challenged to personalize by writing a word on it with a silver felt marker.
The word had to have personal significance. It needed to be selected because it was a quality you wanted to improve in your life in the upcoming year. I chose the word discipline in that moment because I knew that almost anything can be accomplished over time with consistency and discipline. I have proven this in my life over and over again, whether it was finishing a degree, training for a race or hitting a deadline at work. Just keep on going, every step counts.
There is an old adage “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Discipline is taking that bite each day when it would be easier to sleep in, watch Netflix or do almost anything other than the task at hand. Taking on a big project, i.e. eating an elephant gets tiring and it is easy to surrender when you get stuck.
Here’s how I maintain discipline in my life:
1) Set up routines and stick to them. I am writing a book about my spiritual journey and the words are getting dry and feel lifeless. And I am tired. But I set my alarm and am forcing myself to get up and get writing. The crazy part? When I get up and out of bed I write 100% more than I do when I remain in bed. Go figure.
2) Plan ahead. A few nights a week I make several meals and put them into containers that I store in a cooler I take to work. This keeps me on track with my fitness goal of eating healthy, and ensures that I have a full enough stomach to avoid zipping through the McDonald’s drive-thru when I get a craving. As someone once said, “If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.”
3) Be Accountable. I have a few people in my life who have full permission to ask how I am doing in any area of my life. They can ask me how healthy my spiritual life is, if I am eating clean and hitting the gym or if I am writing on a daily basis. They can also ask about my family and thought life. It is very motivating for me to know that I have to answer to someone looking into my eyes about things that would otherwise go undetected.
The main goal of my life is to be a disciple of Jesus. And it is impossible to be a disciple without being disciplined. I know that through a daily routine of doing the small things to become more like Jesus that eventually I will look, sound and be more like Jesus. It’s a lofty goal, but it is worth it.
What elephant are you eating right now? If you are getting stuck, keep on going. Take another bite today!