Discipline Week 4

"The way you do one thing is the way you do all things."

Zen proverb

The quote suggests that the principles and habits you apply to one task will likely extend to all your other activities. If you rush through tasks, put in little effort, or procrastinate you may be doing this throughout your day. It sets the tone for no commitment. People sometimes can focus only on tasks they enjoy, for example playing a video game or reading a novel or playing a sport. Perhaps you have said, well if I like what I am doing I am all in. Consider that if you could express that same attitude and apply it to something you are not fond of, being intentional in the actions, that task would become easier and fulfilling.

Last week I discussed falling in love with the process of an action, not just the outcome, which is the reason many people stop doing their healthy activity. For example, you run the 5k now you don’t need to run anymore, or you graduated from college you never have to pick up a book again. Probably the most glaring is you lost 20 pounds; now you can go back to old unhealthy eating habits.

I have spoken to countless people who say, I was so good and then we – went on vacation, had a stressful event, it was summer, the holidays. You name it that excuse is ready for the taking. It becomes a chronic cycle. It doesn’t need to be that way; we are all human if you fall off just get back on the next day. It is also critical to be kind to yourself when going through a major change. Use distanced self-talk, your own name or the pronoun you and the thought you can do better, not I failed again. Try flipping the thought process, start saying I get to eat healthy, go for a walk, clean the house. Stop saying, I must eat healthy, go to the gym, clean the house. It is an attitude adjustment. You know you will feel so much better after! Is it hard, of course it is, but every time you complete another day your brain reflects growth in the anterior cingulate cortex, you gain the strength of will.  

This week look at one thing you want to change, let’s use exercise as an example. Put that accountability sticky note, David Goggins style, on your bathroom mirror, even just write MOVE, and then apply. Congratulate yourself along the way. Get that notebook out like Bruce Lee carried around, write down what you accomplished. Give yourself credit for the small steps accomplished. Discipline is a quality that can be acquired, and it will change your life for the better.