Many of us pride ourselves on being disciplined. We have the discipline to be faithful to our spouses, to maintain a regular workout regimen, to eat healthy, to manage our time wisely or to reach a goal we’ve set. Disciplined people aim for Spartan-like discipline in all that they do. We know that disciplined people are winners and that, likewise, people who lack discipline are unable to achieve anything worthwhile in life.
Yet, that being said, trouble inevitably arises when we begin to take discipline for granted. We presume that, because we are disciplined people, we will always stick to our guns and meet with success. We think that we can do anything and our discipline will get us through. We must realize that discipline is a fallible trait – that if we put ourselves in enough sticky situations, eventually we will falter.
- Don’t put yourself in a situation where you’re having too many drinks with a member of the opposite sex you’ve just met.
- Don’t invite someone to your hotel room or home when your significant other is away.
- Make a firm commitment to reaffirm your relationship every day.
- Create a regular schedule of days and times you will ALWAYS work out – and write it down.
- Do NOT make excuses for yourself if there is one day where you might not want to go.
- Find something you enjoy doing and push yourself to the limit every time.
- Avoid fast food restaurants and places that do not offer healthy choices on their menus.
- Plan all your meals and snacks for the week ahead of time and write it all down.
- Don’t deny yourself everything you like, but exercise portion control instead.
- Don’t answer the phone when you are way too busy to talk.
- Don’t let people come into your office and get cushy when you have things to do.
- Keep an agenda and set aside time for yourself so your time is your own.
- Get rid of people in your life who are negative, pessimistic and not conducive to your goals.
- Don’t get involved with elements like drugs, alcohol or distractions that will hurt your focus.
- Make a goal that is S.M.A.R.T. — Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant and Timely.
The bottom line is this: No matter how much discipline you have, avoid temptations and don’t put yourself in a vulnerable state.
