Discipline – is it Always Negative?

When you hear the word discipline what do you think of?  Is it images of sitting in time out, the loss of privileges or a spanking?  Here’s one of the definitions given in the dictionary: the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.

I’d rather think of discipline as another word for self-control.  As in, “she has discipline and can reach her goals despite the challenges.”  Sit with this for a few seconds.

Do you have discipline in your life?  Can you do hard things?  Can you work later, get up earlier, spend less, workout more?  Can you choose to not repeat gossip or a dirty joke, can you pass on the plate of cookies without grabbing one, run another lap?  Do you have discipline and self-control?

 

My husband told me the other day that discipline is greater than motivation.  It resonated with me so deeply.  I wrote it on social media and on the whiteboard above my desk.  So true!  Discipline is much greater than motivation.  I can say that I want to get up early and run on the treadmill.  But what if I don’t want to come 5 am?  It doesn’t matter if I’m not motivated when the alarm goes off.  It does matter if I’m disciplined to actually get out of bed.

I think that my 2016 word will be Discipline.  Not because I love negative, punitive words but because I need more self-control.  I need self-control to build my new habits.  And my new habits will lead to success.  And who doesn’t want success in their goals?

So, 2016 and Discipline.  Let’s do this!