Many of the problems we have with discipline are caused by failing to realize the rewards that discipline can bring. We focus on the fact that discipline often means doing boring things that we don't want to do and fail to notice that eventually discipline empowers us to do what we do want to do. This article takes a look at some of the rewards of discipline.
Julie Andrews, the film actress and singer, is one person who realized the rewards that discipline can bring:
"Some people regard discipline as a chore. For me, it is a kind of order that sets me free to fly. "
For many people singing 'doh, ray, me" and other scales is a chore but it is a chore which will eventually bring the beauty of tuneful singing into their lives. This is something I have never achieved as my friends tell me!
Discipline also sets us free to be our own bosses. Mike Litman, as usual, has great advice on this which he found in a pre 1930 success book.
He came across the mind grabbing sentence: "Whatever cannot obey itself is commanded."
The author went on to explain the meaning of this cryptic sentence:
"The failures in life are the people who could not or would not obey themselves; they then became commanded by others. They could not hold to the course; they lost their grip. They did not do as they promised their own hearts they would do."
One of the major laws of success is to do what we plan to do i.e. to do whatever we command ourselves to do. If we cannot do this, we will end up in jobs and lives where we spend our time doing what other people tell us to do.
Another reward of discipline is being able to do what you could not do before. In some martial arts the ability to kick high is highly prized. It looks powerful and even beautiful and is a large part of the art in martial arts.
However, to be able to kick high, you need to have the discipline to spend time stretching. I find stretching a chore and although I have now reached as high as 5th dan in one martial art and 3rd dan in another, I still can't kick high. My ability in this has in fact decreased.
On the other hand one of my fellow students in Taekwondo, Steve Graham, faced up to this chore. When I arrived at a class, he would already be there sitting on the floor and stretching. As a result his kicks were lightning quick and as high as he wanted them to go. This must have given him immense pleasure over the years. In 1982, he was the British Taekwondo heavyweight champion.
Facing the chores of discipline can help you succeed and fly or at least kick high!
About the author
John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams.
They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a weekly motivational message and several other motivational books.
The title of the first book is "36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now! - Acronyms, Stories, Pictures And Quotes...Easy To Remember And Use Everyday To Grab Your Life And Soar With The Eagles"
The book can be found at this URL
http://www.motivationtoday.com
The book uses acronyms, stories, pictures and quotations to help readers remember 36 laws that can gradually transform your life if you apply them.
Ezine editors / Site owners
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site but please include the resource box above.
shuttle to Midway Beardstown .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareI spoke recently with the owner of a large clothing... Read More
All too often, people pursue a vision of material success... Read More
Energy and persistence conquer all things. - Benjamin FranklinThough Ben... Read More
Reading lots these days? Having trouble remembering and recalling? For... Read More
Much has been researched, written and taught about success. One... Read More
"When you talk to yourself, you listen. No matter what... Read More
There is a saying that goes something like this: Getting... Read More
Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone recently opened an academy... Read More
Adults, with eyes to see, can learn so much about... Read More
Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone have recently hosted a... Read More
As a professional speaker, father and business owner I often... Read More
This past Memorial Day weekend I decided to revisit my... Read More
One of the inevitabilities of University life is the examination.... Read More
There is one big "secret" to success that can help... Read More
The most under rated method to achieve success is: The... Read More
In earlier generations it was common to keep a diary... Read More
Have you ever wondered why you're not where you want... Read More
I have found that sometimes the subtle difference in our... Read More
Cost is sometimes a difficult term to define. Here, we... Read More
They say that if you really want to stretch yourself... Read More
Here are 10 of 26 proven strategies gleaned from interviews... Read More
Today I am going to tell you the #1 secret... Read More
(excerpted from the book Seven Strategies for Wealth and Happiness)Wouldn't... Read More
With the end of the year fast approaching, now is... Read More
Personal missions statements (PMS) are just nothing but the winning... Read More
Green Bay Hummer H2 SUV rentals ..Time taken for self-analysis is so important in developing your... Read More
Take a page from Eastern wisdom Meditation, martial arts that... Read More
He was pencil thin and walked with a limp. A... Read More
Success can easily be compared to the "genie trapped in... Read More
In my work with clients, the issue of perspectives comes... Read More
If failure is the roadway, then Perseverance is the vehicle... Read More
Your personal image: It's the most important YOU asset you... Read More
A Lifelong Learning Plan is a conscious, continuous engagement in... Read More
You talked but didn't get a response. You talked but... Read More
Jim Rohn, noted leader and speaker in the personal development... Read More
With three kids, a business, a husband with a business,... Read More
Recently, I coached a young woman whom I'll call Mary... Read More
A More Effective WayI own a stack of self improvement... Read More
Dare to Dream~It is said that every person has at... Read More
Ray Winstone, the London East End barrow boy, who became... Read More
Ask yourself the following:1. I have created a life-strategy plan... Read More
With the end of the year fast approaching, now is... Read More
The Winner's Walk is a key strategy in the sport... Read More
Choose a personal theme song and soundtrack that stirs you... Read More
A company entitled "Made for Success" begs the question: Just... Read More
What would happen if you lived your life by design... Read More
Smile brings beauty to your face, charm to your personality... Read More
Every one of us lives with a ceiling, a belief... Read More
1)Failure is normal.Everyone has faced failure. Some people talk about... Read More
Everything you are or ever will be is completely up... Read More
Success |