Self-Discipline, is it really important?

Hey Family! Last week we talked about how affirmations can help us achieve our goals. Today I want to talk about the key that help me write my book Rise in one month. Well, the Lord laid on my heart to write this book years ago, but due to distractions I did not accomplish what He tasked me with until this year.

The beginning of this year almost took me out, but I thank God for this year because it has drawn me closer to Him. Honestly, I was considering giving up on everything, but God grabbed my attention and gave me instructions to write the book.

I have a blended family and am a mother to five. At first I asked God, “Where would I find the time?“ He responded to me and said, “Pull out your old poetry journal and start typing.” Family I started on April 17, 2020 and sent my book off for it’s first round of edits on May 19, 2020. Many people asked me how did I write my book so fast with so many kids in the house? My response to them was self-discipline.

Now, let’s get one thing straight. The word “discipline” is not exactly popular in today’s society. In fact, a lot of people treat it like a curse word. Many people think that discipline is overrated. It’s easy to think discipline doesn’t apply to us, but if we are to accomplish our goals and walk in our purpose self-discipline is a necessity.

It’s understandable why a lot of people are under the impression that we don’t need self-discipline, I mean, we live in a world that worships convenience. This world has evolved into a microwave society where no one appreciates home cooked meals. If you don’t believe me, try ordering a pizza. If you live in a major city in the United States, the standard delivery window is 15 minutes.

If your local pizza shop cannot deliver your food within that time, it is common that your pizza is absolutely free. How about online shopping? When you buy anything from Amazon, you are bombarded with all sorts of free shipping or 2 day delivery offers.

It goes with the territory. It seems that the more we live our lives, the more we are trained to expect instant gratification. Like Drake said, “YOLO”, cause you only live once.

We want what we want and we want it now.

In fact, a lot of people wanted it yesterday.

That’s how impatient we have become. If you still don’t believe me, when was the last time you read anything thoroughly on the internet? My bet would be a long time ago. Chances are when you see any kind of news item on your Facebook timeline, you’re probably just scrolling down the page.

You scroll, scroll, scroll, and scroll some more. When you see some sort of keyword or image or video that you like, that’s when you stop. Once you get a good idea of what the article is talking about, then you go on to the next item and then the next item after that.

Family if this is you know that you are not alone. The more we use the internet and the more we interact with people online, our attention span becomes shorter and shorter. It all boils down to convenience. But here’s the problem. Until and unless you develop self-discipline, your chances of getting the best things in life are going to diminish.

In fact, depending on your situation, it may be a near impossibility. Self-discipline is that important. When you’re self-disciplined, you focus on the big picture. You find it in you to do the hard and necessary stuff now so you can get bigger rewards in the future.

Don’t get it twisted, it is far from sexy. A lot of people think that discipline is punishment. This is some unpleasant chore that they would rather avoid. And who can really blame them? When you are working on something necessary, the reward may be so far off that it might as well be invisible.

Eventually, you start thinking to yourself, “What am I doing? I could be out there having fun with my friends. I could be doing more satisfying things. Shoot, I can be lazy because hey, let’s face it, laziness pays off immediately. Hard work pays off a long time from now.”

Do you see why a lot of people would rather not choose self- discipline?

Despite how tempting it is to just say forget this self-discipline stuff and just go with your feelings and pick an activity that is so much more enjoyable and easy, lack of self-discipline can cause serious problems.

In fact, the vast majority of people fail to live up to their fullest potential primarily because of lack of self-discipline. Now, if you were to ask them individually, they probably will give you a million and one excuses, wait, I meant reasons why they are living their lives far below their expectations.

• Maybe they’ll blame other people.
• Maybe they will say someone else stole what they wanted to do.
• Maybe they’ll say that they just had bad childhoods.
• Maybe some would possibly own up to bad decisions.

But very few would say that it was their lack of self- discipline.

Just how bad will it get for you if you have no self-discipline? What if you just think that self-discipline is such a low priority that you don’t bother to develop it. well, it has serious consequences. I don’t mean to be dramatic. But over the next few weeks I’m just going to lay out what you stand to lose if you neglect practicing self-discipline on a day to day basis.

Family I want us all to live and walk in our purpose. Pick one area in your life you are going to apply discipline. Self-discipline helped me stay on task and write my book Rise in one month. I can’t wait to see what else I am able to accomplish by applying it to other areas of my life. What can it help you accomplish?

As Always,

I love you.

It’s time to rise!