Discipline

We all know about the importance of self discipline, so I don't think there's too much to say here. When your reason for pursuing a goal is big enough and constant enough, it will motivate you to make whatever changes are necessary in order to reach it. We see this again and again in the success stories in our world. Success sometimes comes from what seem to be the unlikeliest of places because the vision for the future was big enough to pull them forward.

Self discipline is something that I think has become a dirty word in our society. We as a culture are all about doing what you feel, following your heart, Carpe Diem, YOLO, etc. If you expect to achieve anything worthwhile, you must move away from these damaging perspectives. You cannot expect to retain your health if you give in to the mythology of "YOLO" every time you are offered a chance to sit on the couch, drink a beer, and eat pizza. Nor can you expect to hold on to financial health if you just do what feels right and swipe that ever-present credit card for anything that strikes your fancy.

Yes, we do only live once. But this is not an excuse to throw our lives away in reckless, selfish abandon. If we destroy ourselves what is the point of living?

Instead, learn to employ self discipline. Say no to yourself sometimes, for the right reasons. Not because you "can't" because you're "on a diet." Not because you "can't" because you're "on a tight budget right now." But because what you want for the long term is so much more important than the momentary relief of buying something you can't afford, or of stuffing your gob all weekend with junk food.

My friends, you were meant for greatness. And that greatness can only come when you discipline your self destructive nature and turn your actions toward your goals.

Today, pick an area of your life where you need to show more self discipline and begin by saying "no" to something for the right reasons.