This is it. No excuses. This is the little pill that takes you down the rabbit hole. I’m not going to tell you it is going to be easy. This works with a habit you want to create, a habit you want to break, a lifestyle that you want to create, and a lifestyle you want to get away from. It includes your health and fitness, spirituality, family, career, friendships, and who you want to be and become. That little pill is discipline.
We live a life where we have so many demands and commitments placed on us. We sometimes forget that there are things that are important to us that we push off to the side because we don’t believe in its importance or value. In essence we let who we are and what we do be defined externally and we may not even particularly care for what that result is.
First, take stock of what you currently have on your plate. What do you do now? Who and what are you surrounding yourself with now? Eliminate what doesn’t serve your higher purpose. This doesn’t mean quitting your job if it doesn’t fulfill you. It does mean doing things those things that get you to a different job, some place better, or in the direction of where you want to go in your career.
Be mindful in each moment. Mindful of the people you come into contact each day. You may actually see some of these people almost every day when you are getting your coffee in the morning, walking past security each day, or riding the elevator each day. I make a point of knowing the names of the people at my bank, coffee shop, any place I frequent. I always have a smile for them and ask how they are doing. And they always treat me like I am one of their best customers. I may compliment a suit or tie or the shoes of someone in the elevator who I find stylish. I believe people are brought into our lives for a reason or a purpose. Something as simple as a “hello” each morning. Mindful of what you do in any given moment. Every chance you get, enjoy the process of eating or the handshake you have with someone. Appreciate the strength and power in your legs as it gets you to and from your destination. I hope these few examples give you ideas of the thousands and millions of moments you can be mindful of.
Focus. It takes laser focus to keep from being distracted, and we are surrounded by all sorts of distractions. Some may come across meaningful, but is it really when it doesn’t encourage you or push you in the direction you are trying to go. This is where you surround yourself with the people who believe in you and are cheering you on in your quest for your personal greatness. Release those who attempt to hold you back, they are only interested in keeping you at their level. Love and care about yourself to treat yourself the very best and hold that expectation of how others treat you as well. In having that love, respect, and appreciation for yourself, you will find yourself treating others with that same respect and dignity. Funny how things circle back.
Take time each day for your own personal time of meditation. It could be lunch in the park under a tree where you feel centered with nature. It could be those few minutes a day with your headphones on listening to some beautiful meditative music while you are on the train with the craziness of the world going on around you. But you have found your moment in time to tune out everything, quiet your mind, become self-reflective, gain perspective, and re-focus your heart and mind. It’s like pushing the reset button and allowing clarity to bubble to the surface.
Discipline is about respecting time. We all have the same amount. It is how each of choose to use it. Be mindful of what you invest your time into and how you use it; focus on what it is that you need to do; meditate and visualize on who you are, what is important to you, and who you want to be; and then finally summon the discipline to make what you see in your mind a reality.
It’s time! Show me your authentic self, because I think you are great!
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