Discipline Must Be A Full Time Activity
Okay, we’ve suggested that the first lesson on discipline is that
it’s not easy. Now, here is the second. Discipline must be a full-
time activity. We said earlier that the best form of discipline is
consistent discipline. You see, the discipline that it takes to make
your bed everyday is the same discipline necessary for success in
the world of business. If we’re willing to give ourselves the liberty to
be disciplined in one area of life, and undisciplined in another, then
the area in which we remain undisciplined will create habits that
destroy our self-discipline in the areas we’ve considered to be
important. Consistency cannot be inconsistent. Discipline is the
mind being trained to control our lives. Discipline is a set of
standards, which we’ve selected as a personal code of conduct. And
it’s our willingness to impose upon ourselves the requirements for
honoring these standards. Once we’ve adopted those standards of
behavior and conduct we are committed to honor them. And if we
do not, then there is no disciplined activity. We find ourselves
announcing our standards to our relatives, our friends, and our
associates, but living in a way that is opposite to what we’ve said.
This leads to a loss of credibility among those who watch our
inconsistencies. And more importantly, to a loss of confidence
within ourselves.
And perhaps if there is anything worse than one who is
inconsistent in applying his or her self-imposed disciplines, it is one
who has never considered the need or the value of discipline at all.
They seem to wander aimlessly, changing procedures, changing
standards, changing loyalties, and shifting frequently from one
commitment to another, leaving behind a trail of broken
friendships, unfinished projects, and unfulfilled promises. All
because of a discipline that was either non-existent or imposed so
infrequently as to be ineffective.
Well, now that we’ve determined that discipline is not an easy
matter and that there is little value in part-time discipline, let’s look
at the third step for learning how to become a disciplined person.