Category: Being Disciplined

I wasn’t able to finish mowing my lawn… again.

While I was out traveling the past several weeks, and while everyone else in my neighborhood was getting in their first mow of the season after a long, cold, and arduous winter—my grass invited over all the neighbor’s weeds, had a party, and got its grow on.

And then, of course, when I committed to getting in my first mow, it rained and cut my mowing time short (pun definitely intended).

Now, my grass is two, and in some areas, three times the size of the mower itself and pushing the damn thing feels like I’m doing weighted sled sprints at the gym.

Part of me is cool with this and mentally adds a tally to the workout column for the day.

But, the other part of me sighs in frustration because I know that this is what happens when you procrastinate.

Getting the job done on a regular mowing day is no problem. Sometimes even therapeutic.

Waiting to get the job done past that ideal mowing day doesn’t just add to the challenge of the mowing… it multiplies the challenge.

And the same is true with so many of the things in life that we’d be much better off doing in regular, well-timed intervals rather than in a singular, herculean interval done once every when I feel like it.

A little bit done often, is oftentimes much more effective than a lotta bit done too late.

Having a hard time building self-discipline?

Commit to building discipline first.

Join a class, enroll in a course, get a coach, etc., where you’re simply told what to do and you can focus on getting really damn good at doing what you’re told—regardless of how much you don’t want to do whatever that is (in a constructive, healthy, held-accountable way).

Do your research, of course, and don’t settle until you come to an arrangement that’s aligned with your personality type and preferences; one that’s with a person or a group you respect.

Once you do (and this is the key), make the conscious choice to replace the words that come from your ego with the words that come from this new source. In other words, don’t let your inner voice talk you out of doing what you’re told to do.

Because it’s that inner voice—your ego—that’s precisely the problem.

The path is this: discipline leads to self-discipline which leads to habits.

Flex the “do-it-even-when-you-don’t-want-to-do-it” muscle enough and eventually, it’ll be strong enough for you to flex on your own. Flex it on your own enough and eventually, it’ll become an automatic type of response that your ego slowly stops fighting you over.

This is the way.

---

P.s. Not sure where to start? Try enrolling in a local martial arts class. The discipline I build in martial arts became the foundation for all of the “automatic” type habits I have in my life.

So much energy is wasted every day in limbo.

In that in between space where our temptations and disciplines clash.

In that place where we’re making up our minds; arguing against ourselves; stagnating.

It’s in this state where our energy drains its fastest. And the longer we stay there, the more likely temptation is to win against discipline.

The key to reclaiming our energy is redirecting our energy.

• Trying to resist temptation? Don’t stare. Don’t engage. Don’t even look if you can help it. Quickly redirect your energy and walk away; open a book; play a podcast.; call a friend or family member; play with your dog—anything that gets you out and away.
• Trying to improve your state of mind in a toxic environment? Even the best of us can’t override the effects of toxic environments. Trying to do so is futile. You’re better off redirecting your energy out and away from that environment and into a new, healthier, healing one. This goes for work environments, hang out environments, and even family environments.
• Trying to move on from pain of the past? Actively investigating our past to heal is one thing… lingering aimlessly in the pain is another. Redirect your energy towards your future and away from your past. Hang out with new people. Take on a new project. Build an aligned side hustle business. Building something new is one of the best ways to move on from something old.

If each of us could reclaim even 1% of that energy—that human potential—that’s wasted in limbo and redirect it towards something constructive… I reckon we could build ourselves an entire additional calendar day in our year.

An important reminder: regression is the default.

If you don’t actively oppose the way of reality… you’ll become:

• Weaker
• Sicker
• Dull(er)

We must rebel against:

• The comfort of beds, couches, and gaming chairs.
• The delight of sugar, salt, and high-fructose corn syrup.
• The grips of Netflix, mindless gaming, and click-bait media.

Progression is reserved for the brave ones who reject the default reality and choose to live a life that’s against the grain and in alignment with their highest version.

My desire to workout, on a scale from 1-10, was at a solid 4 this morning.

The resistance was real.

• Showing up anyway got me to a 5.
• Foam rolling/ stretching got me to a 6.
• Playing the right music got me to a 7.
• Finishing my first set got me to an 8.

And before I knew it… I was done.

…And feeling like a 10.

---

P.s. Know someone who may enjoy reading these? This is me kindly asking if you’d forward it to them :) …Did you get this forwarded to you? You can subscribe here :)