The Lesson of Discipline Training

  { Benefit of “discipline training”}

Anyone who knows me reasonably well would call me a disciplined person. I hardly ever call in sick to work…

I’m always on time and fully prepared for meetings…
 I can sit at my computer screens for hours on end without so much as blinking.
On the personal side, I’ve been committed to the same woman – my wife – for the last 50 years.

I exercise at regularly and Eat healthfully…
And very seldom drink wine.
So, a casual observer would never think I have a problem with discipline.

My wife bought me a super cook set a couple years ago. My struggles with it gave me the most valuable insights ever into my own personal battle with self-discipline.
I Struggle When I’m Bored - but I seldom get bored because there is just too much to do in life to be bored!
You see, the new cookware sat in the Kitchen and kept calling me!

It taught me that your thought chain is strengthened when you can learn easily and accomplish more.
 This is the opposite of being bored! Being Active!

** Learning the Benefit of  Discipline Training

I worked in the field of Electrical Engineering; with a knack for successfully working on complex, sensitive electronic equipment.  From NASA, Nuclear Power Stations, US Navy ships, Off Shore Drilling rigs, Aircraft Assembly, to Steel Mills, and many different Factories.

Frankly, I did this for many years before finally confronting my more important thing, gaining two valuable insights into my struggles with discipline –
both of which I now believe to be universal.

Insight #1:
Boredom is painful
I hate being bored. I believe people become bored because they lack personal drive or are just lazy!
There is a reason most people are uncomfortable with the feeling of boredom.

We were wired to prefer stimulation in the modern society…  and seem to want to be entertained.
When well-worn routines go on for too long, we tend to get antsy… and we seek out something that’s novel or different.

Novel stimulation pings our brains with dopamine, giving us a rush of feel-good energy,
 like what we get from such activity as sex… drugs… rock-and-roll… alcohol… exercise… sunshine… Or even a new interest.

Boredom and routine give us none of that… no stimulation, no excitement, no fun!
It is a mundane routine that generally gives you nothing to think about or do.

Insight #2:
Discipline Can Be Strengthened
We don’t have the luxury of avoiding everything in life that we find to be boring.  Grocery shopping, exercising and waiting… these can all be extremely boring.
 Yet, they’re all are completely necessary for living a productive and healthy life.
So how do you force yourself to do something you find boring when you know it’s for your own good?

There’s no easy solution. You’ve just got to do it… and that, of course, requires discipline.
The good news is if you want to be more disciplined… you can work to develop it.

It’s like a muscle…
If you want it to be stronger, you train it to be stronger and, with time, it becomes stronger.

I’ve heard this about discipline for many years, but it never quite hit home until I struggled through my ridiculous behavior with many wasted times...

Even after I committed to this goal a balance between Overactivity and Boredom, I was surprised by how hard it was to resist the urge to shut it off early. I spent three weeks consciously resisting the urge, which indeed weakened over time; is now nonexistent.

“What an epic accomplishment,” I thought to myself, sarcastically!
Although, while I can lightheartedly chide myself about my struggles with discipline, I truly gained a meaningful boost in self-confidence… in my ability to stay disciplined to a healthy routine ( as boring as it may be)!

If you’ve ever stuck to the daily activities required to reach a long-term goal – that is, if you’ve ever consistently exercised your “discipline muscle” – then I’m sure you know the feeling of pride and accomplishment you gain from sustained commitment.

One day of discipline exercise may not give you a dopamine rush. But many consecutive days of discipline exercise sure can – even well before you reach your ultimate, long-term goal.

In my case, even well before that outcome, I feel better about myself and my habits… Because I know that following a system is the right thing to do and I know I’m sufficiently disciplined to do the right thing… even if the fruits of my discipline won’t be revealed for many years.

That’s the meaningful benefit of “discipline training” that can be enjoyed relatively quickly.
 To get the most out of your efforts, you need to find a system that can deliver what you want or need.

But for the full bang for your buck, you need the discipline to stick to the strategy, otherwise, it will do nothing for you.

It’s been said that “At the heart of any successful person is self-discipline.”

I couldn’t agree more.And the best part is anyone can develop the self-discipline needed to follow my simple strategies… and have become a tremendously successful person!