This post is my ongoing daily participation in @jongolson's fantastic Index4Index Initiative. Read his post, and get yourself involved!
In today's Index4Index Daily Inspired Motivation I touch on how critical self-discipline is in our ongoing success. The five quotes that I share this morning, by Lou Holtz, Dwayne Johnson, John C. Maxwell, Jim Rohn, and Jerry Poe, all speak of just how foundational self-discipline truly is in birthing our dreams into actuality.
"Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period." - Lou Holtz
"All success begins with self-discipline. It starts with you." - Dwayne Johnson
"Great Leaders always have self-discipline - without exception." - John C. Maxwell
"Self-discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments." - Jim Rohn
"The level of self-discipline in your life will govern your level of success." - Jerry Poe
When we think of self-discipline, so often what comes to mind is forcing ourselves to do things that we hate. From that perspective, no wonder that there is often so much resistance and difficulty around the idea of self-discipline. I would suggest an alternative, and far more life-affirming and exciting viewpoint on self-discipline - that it is, in truth, our self-love translated into daily action, practices, and habits.
When viewed from this angle, self-discipline becomes a beautiful, vitalizing expression of self-care and self-respect, that we show ourselves daily. This is what allows us to move in the direction that we truly want, and what is most fulfilling and nourishing to hearts and being.
An example from my own life which comes to mind, which elucidates this pretty well is my practice of smoking spliffs (rolled tobacco and ganja blend). This is a habit that I had, and generally quite enjoyed, for quite some time now (and before that it was straight tobacco). The problem was that I came to depend on it as a coping mechanism for challenging experiences that I was having in my life. It always seemed justified to continue. I had let it go, multiple times in the past, but I always came back to it, especially during what I would call challenging times, which was often. I finally got to see and viscerally feel, while in a temporary living situation, just what this habit really was, and where it could have led me if I had continued with it. It was not a good place. That was the impetus I needed to finally let this enjoyable regular ritual go, and to choose, through self-discipline, far more positive, life-affirming, useful, constructive, and beneficial habits.
Self-discipline is one of our greatest gifts to ourselves, and to everyone with whom we are in connection, for a truly beautiful future.
Remember, dear friends, that we are all in this together, that we rise by lifting others, and and that together we thrive, so onward and upward, joyfully together! 🙏💚⚡💥🔥👣🌱