Are we talking about self-discipline or commitment?

Recently, several of my clients have expressed concern about whether or not they are disciplined enough to follow through on the necessary steps to meet their goals.  We think about self-discipline every day, don’t we? I do when I set my alarm a little earlier so I have time for exercise before I start my day, or when I hunker down and do my least favorite work, or as I go through my morning and evening routines with my kids.  Self-discipline has become such a common phrase though that I believe it has been diluted. It has lost much of its meaning, or perhaps we don’t really mean what we think we do when we use it. For many, it’s an excuse for not doing what we intend to do.  It’s so easy to say, “I don’t think I have the self-discipline to do that.” We fail before we begin!

I believe the issue is really about commitment, not discipline.  I’ll bet we can think of many times in our lives when we have exercised self-discipline.  Many of us have lost 20 pounds or more by being disciplined.  I know many people who started a business, and that took a lot of discipline.  Most of us have a job that we get up and do every day.  All of these are proof that we do indeed possess the ability to be disciplined, so the question we need to ask ourselves is: 

“Am I committed enough to the end result to exercise the discipline I know I am capable of?”

This is what I ask my clients - What’s it really worth to you to get to your end result?  How will it impact your life when you’ve written that book or lost that 50 pounds? Answering these questions help us connect with our own level of commitment. Discipline requires a focus that we’ll end up redirecting if our commitment is not great enough. For instance, I am committed to strengthening my muscles and having a healthy back. If my commitment is not strong enough to motivate me to wake up an hour early to exercise, I will turn my focus instead to staying up late the night before or sleeping in. Neither action is wrong. It is simply a choice. And I say, choose powerfully!  Make choices that best support the quality of life you want. 

Go back and answer the question, “What’s it worth to you?” Create a reminder for your answer, such as a photo or trinket you carry in your pocket or a pop-up reminder on your phone. Find something visual that will bring you back to how your life will be better once you achieve your goal. Remind yourself why you are committed to doing what it takes.  Recommit to your goals regularly – it could be hourly, daily, weekly – and your self-discipline will follow naturally.