Chapter 8 Disciplined

We've all been given a wonderful gift in life: our free will. I see that gift as being synonymous to a steering wheel. It's our  free 'wheel' to steer the course we wish to travel in life; our free 'wheel' to take an active and not passive role on our journey.

For most us, though, it's as if we're asleep at the wheel, on automatic pilot, letting our default map, Which is made up of our habitual actions, guide us to the same places even when we no longer want to go there. In a sense, we're lost grip of our wheel- we stay in the same old job we hate or join gyms with the intention of getting into shape but never turn up. But to fulfill your dreams you need to get a grip on your wheel, hold it firmly in your hands, and steer your life in the direction of your choice.

Discipline is what separates where we are now from where we want to be.

It takes discipline or 'wheel-power' to override or habitual behavior. In sport, discipline is what separates an amateur from a pro. In life, it's what separates where we are now from where we want to be.

Most people define discipline as 'control' - being told what to do by an authority, 'punishment'-being put on a performance plan at work, or' doing without' - refusing a glass of wine at dinner. But discipline isn't always imposed on us. Sometimes it's a tool we use to get the things we want. In fact, we all demonstrate discipline on a daily basis. We brush our teeth, shower, and go to work. Then we come home, slump in front of the
TV,and make a disciplined effort to keep up with our favorite show.

Clearly we all have a degree of discipline, but most of us need to develop it to reach our more significant goals. It's equivalent to trying to strengthen a muscle. It's a case of use it, or lose it. With frequent use it becomes stronger. If it's neglected, it becomes as use less as a withered muscle that's been wrapped in a plaster cast for a month.

As with exercising a muscle, what we need to do is start out sensibly, take on one task at a time, push through the initial discomfort, slowing increase the challenge and acknowledge our gradual improvement. That's how you cultivate discipline.