A Case For Discipline, And Why It Matters
Discipline has recently been given a bad rap. And reasonably so, when associated/ paired with rigidity and productivity. Think wake up at 6am, back-to-back tasks, and an emphasis on hustle culture. This emphasis has been real for many years and continues to be in certain spaces. Over time, we’ve also realized these structures don’t work for everyone, and there’s been a wave to reclaim femininity, wild flow, intuition, depth, and flexibility in a way we never were able to until recently.
However, aligned discipline still has its merit. There is a space for discipline when it’s gentle and aligned with our goals. I wonder if now we are being called back to our inner structure after years of not being able to do things the way that was right for us.
why it’s helpful
Discipline helps our nervous system, by forming predictability. We thrive on knowing what to expect, feeling safe, and being able to piece meal tasks. Lack of discipline leads to wasting time, frustration, and lack of progress. When ungrounded, we lose our direction and momentum.
Steps to reclaim your discipline
Identify what’s really important to you.
Values are core to aligned discipline. When you’re aware of your values, you are able to select what’s important to you and prioritize what matters accordingly. Otherwise, it’s hard for our brains to sieve through what is truly important. Our to-do lists become filled with things that “seem” important but don’t build towards meaningful goals.
Select the items that align with your values.
Once you are aware, you can start selecting items that align. If you value health, you can prioritize exercise and nutrition, and let the rest become secondary. Set two goals around these areas that matter. At the end of the day, for anything else, make an agreement with yourself. For example, if extra goals met, great, but top two is your focus. You can even be more specific or make smaller goals.
Give yourself positive feedback.
When you get your top two “must” goals done, make sure to celebrate. It can be as small as a check mark at the end of the day next to each of your goals that you marked earlier, or a little treat and relaxation while you acknowledge your efforts. This biofeedback is nourishing to your nervous system and brain, and sets you up for future success and esteem. Because you did it!
helpful tips to note
Don’t forget to forgive yourself if anything did not go as planned, and acknowledge yourself for handling the unknowns and unexpected that inevitably may come in a day, smoothly.
Also remember, it’s a daily practice, and it makes take some reflection or time to figure out your true values, so play with it and have fun! Don’t take it too seriously ✨
For more support in identifying and pursuing goals or noticing patterns, access our free journal → here.