Discipline is protection

Let’s be honest. To most people, discipline is not the most motivating word to hear.

We can be averse to discomfort, and discipline is not exactly a comfortable word. It evokes an authoritative, hard-lined and strict message - something associated with the military or professional athletes.

But I want to reframe discipline as something more positive, and something that has been, and is accessible to the general population.

Discipline is protection.

Discipline is protection from indulgence.

Discipline is protection from vices.

Discipline is protection from idleness and time-wasting.

Discipline protects our health and wellbeing, our boundaries, our responsibilities and commitments, our values, our finances, and our goals and aspirations.

By saying no, we protect our yes to what's important to us.

In other words, discipline is the intentional practice of embodying our values and pursuing our goals.

The good thing is, we are not born with discipline. It can be built through small, repeated actions that align with our goals, values and standards.

I like a top-down approach to building discipline. If you identify what is important to you right now, in this particular season of your life; a goal, a commitment, or a value. What do you want to protect or say yes to? You are naturally more inclined to build discipline around that area.

As an exercise in self-discipline, I made a commitment to myself to write these articles fortnightly, every Wednesday. I’m exhausted after a big few days, but I want to honour that commitment.

Discipline is protection.

Coach Jose

Disclaimer: The views expressed are my own and do not represent any organization which I may be affiliated with.