The Dynamic Power of Discipline

I used to feel threatened by discipline.

In my youth, my greatest passion was art and my ability toncreate a masterpiece was based purely on spontaneousninspiration, which didn't always jive with discipline.

I used to think that too much discipline would interfere with myncreativity, or minimize my energy and motivation. n
That was one of many limiting beliefs that held me back for antime.

As time goes on, my appreciation for discipline grows,nespecially when it comes to Goal Setting. n
Let's look at the definitionn
Discipline: training that develops self control, efficiency,netc. n
The fact is that discipline is a powerful force and there arentimes in life that you absolutely must employ it in order tonreach your Goals.

For example, I started running again a few weeks ago after anlong hiatus. My Goal was to work up to a capacity of running 3nto 4 miles per day for fun 4 times per week. n
Because I was rusty, the only way for me to achieve that Goal,nto build up my endurance and expand my ability to run longe
distances, was through discipline. Start small and consistentlynincrease my capacity and efficiency.

I had to start with walking and work up to being able to jognslowly for short distances and then add longer distances.

In the past month I have logged about 70 miles of running andnwalking. It wouldn't have worked if I tried to do all 70 milesnin one day out of the blue because true conditioning comes fromnconsistency and strategic graduation of frequency, duration andnintensity.

Three to four times per week, I had to create a new disciplinenof walking or jogging 1, 2, 3 and then 4 miles. I had to worknup to it and get out and do it even when I didn't feel like it.

But because I was committed to being consistent and disciplined,
I quickly worked my way from walking to jogging and gradually wasnable to increase the distance.

I conditioned my muscles, joints and respiratory system tonaccommodate the new demands by starting with small steps andnincreasing in gradual increments. I understood prior tonbeginning that this was part of the process. I defined my Goalnand stayed focused.

As you would imagine, it was difficult at first. I was huffingnand puffing and praying just to be able to cover a couple ofnmiles at a snails pace. n
At times it was uncomfortable. n
At times it was painful. Muscles when not used atrophy. Mynmuscles were not accustomed to those demands at that level ofnintensity. The only way to condition them is to do a little andnincrementally increase the demand and duration gradually ove
time. n
Rushing it could cause an injury, therefore consistency is thenkey element, which comes down to discipline. n
"We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain ofndiscipline or the pain of regret. The difference is disciplinenweighs ounces while regret weighs tons." -Jim Rohnn
Some people when going after their Goals, quit or turn back atnthe first sight of pain not realizing that the pain orndiscomfort is a price that must be paid. n
The short term pain was worth it to experience the long termngain of achieving my Goal.

What was difficult in the beginning is much easier now thanks tondiscipline.

If you want to achieve something you've never had before, you nhave to do things you've never done before. n
Your action step:

Think of a Goal in your own life that requires a simila
application of discipline and take the next step.

A great tool to begin conditioning yourself to achieve your Goals nis New Year New Life! A Guide to Make 2007 Your Best Year Ever! n(it was even featured on The Fox News Channel)