Discipline is an Effective Habit

Discipline is defined as a commitment to the most important person in the world - YOU. It means doing what you have to do, even when you don't want to do it.

Discipline is an effective habit and effective habits lead to effective results. Conversely, ineffective habits produce ineffective results. Firstly, you must discipline yourself to seek awareness and rid yourself of ineffective habits. Then, by utilizing discipline, replace those ineffective habits with useful and productive ones. By doing so, you can achieve anything you want in life.

Discipline, along with a positive attitude, is within your control. Don't allow those ineffective habits to control you and your future. Instead, discover how daily discipline will eventually alter any negative habits and change your life for the better. Go ahead and make the decision to lead a disciplined life and reap the benefits.

Discipline is 100% within your control. Take the first letter in the word Discipline - D and give it the numerical value 4. Then, take each of the following letters in DISCIPLINE and give each letter its respective numerical value. Add all the letter values and take note that the sum equals 100. If you want to increase your performance by 100%, then, put discipline in the driver's seat.

Discipline is an effective habit. Discipline is a complete process which includes personal awareness, desire, determination, recognition and reward.

Personal behaviour is a part of discipline. Once a meticulous behaviour is recognized and rewarded, it gets repeated. The process is simple. You determine the necessary behaviour or action required to achieve the goal; do it even when you don't want to; and finally, recognize and reward that behaviour so it will be repeated.

Allow me to share the discipline in my life.

Years ago, I realized I am most productive in the morning, and classify myself as a "morning person". I used to get up at 7am every morning. Then I had a thought. Why not get up one hour earlier and dedicated that hour as the most productive time for the most important person in the world - ME? I wondered about the outcome of this simple change.

Over the next month, I got up at 6am and dedicated one hour to Bob. I called it "Bob time" and my objective was to do something for me that will help me achieve my goals. That hour is quite special for me now and also, very satisfying. "Bob time" is both my discipline and an effective habit.

Now, here is the secret to making "Bob time" a discipline and an effective habit. When I used to get up at 7am, I immediately enjoyed a cup of coffee. However, following my decision to begin "Bob time" at 6am, I decided not to have a coffee upon waking, but to wait until "Bob time" ended. My first cup of coffee became my reward for doing what I said I was going to do.

Well, the discipline did not stop there. I believe in physical fitness to maintain good health and well being. Therefore, after my coffee, I venture out for a walk or go skiing, snowshoeing, swimming, etc. for an hour. What do you think my reward is for exercising?

Yes, breakfast! My daily routine begins with a shower, getting dressed and preparing for a keynote, workshop or seminar. Can you imagine how I feel and how I perform for the remainder of the day, based on all I have accomplished before leaving home?

Well, I always feel wonderful and I am truly satisfied with my performance. I permit myself to do something rewarding just for me. I can, in turn, do something special for you.

Statistics stipulate it takes 21 days to develop a habit. Rest assured, that my "Bob time" discipline and subsequent, reward is a definite habit. And that first cup of coffee tastes better than ever before.

Take the time to reflect on your most productive time of day. Once you determine that time, fully utilize one hour of your most productive time and reward yourself upon completion. In no time, you will be disciplined and will achieve the things you thought were impossible in your life.

Remember, both attitude and discipline are within your control. They are the foundation for ongoing self motivation and personal success. Recognize and reward appropriate behaviours and you will enjoy effective habits and valuable disciplines. You are well on your way to where you want to go.