Where motivation can't take you, DISCIPLINE will !

If it was easy, everyone would do it!

Greetings,

I haven’t written a proper piece in a while, don’t worry though because WE’RE BACK. I can’t do any promo for these, so in the words of one uncle off Youtube “share this aggressively” because it’s going to be a good one. 

Life update:

Run challenge: We’re over halfway and I’ve hit 100km! This has definitely been the most I’ve ever run consistently and it’s not over. This morning I felt like Rocky Balboa, running in the rain. I must actually like struggle because I was smiling throughout it, completing the run close to my PB time. Last Saturday, I achieved a new 10k PB of just over 46min at a pace of 4’39. Let’s go champ!

Book Club: We’re on the last chapter of Atomic Habits and will be choosing a new book on Monday (11/05.) If you want to join for the next book, email me (nanay@hotmail.co.uk) so you can join the session where we decide on the next book and get details on how the book club works. 

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Prelude: We lack grit. In an attempt to live the softest of lives, we’ve consequently onboarded a struggle-free mentally that lacks the discipline to keep going when it gets hard. Forgoing immediate pleasures is a demonstration of self-love, proving to be freedom rather than restriction. 

Easy to start, hard to carry on 

I, as have many of you, have launched things. Some of those things are still going, others stopped after a matter of weeks. Honestly, a lot of us don’t know how to stick at something anymore. When the beginner's hype is gone, the raison d'etre of these initiatives has proven to be insufficient in perking up our desire to keep going. Passion is good, but when expressed as short term zeal, it lacks the sustainability required to harvest the fruit of your endeavours. 

Anyone can start well, what determines the outcome is consistency in carrying on until the finish. We need a sustained fire, one that burns regardless of hardship, busyness or inconvenience. Where motivation will not take you, discipline will. 

Just show up 

Why did I start this 30 day run challenge? To simply practice commitment to something, that I don’t particularly enjoy doing. I’d rather play football or try a new sport for fitness, but running appeared to be the perfect medium to facilitate my need to grow in commitment and discipline as it required no specialist equipment or for me to be at a specific location. Learning from Atomic Habits, my goal each day was to just put on my running shoes and show up. Sounds trivial but mentally for me, once my shoes were on, I couldn’t not run. 

Professionals stick to the schedule, whilst amateurs allow life to get in the way. Rain or shine, professionals ensure that what needs to be done is done; arranging their day to ensure it happens. Are you able to orchestrate your life in a way that the things you need to get done aren't compromised by the unpredictability of life? Last Monday, I had to go from London to Manchester to Birmingham to Coventry all in 24h and the only way I could fit in my run, was doing it before my day started by waking up earlier. In the case where you live a life in which things can just pop up, endeavour to get things done before your day “starts. ”

Try: The discipline and commitment you develop from consistently doing something you don’t enjoy permeates into the other facets of your life. Practice consistently showing up to something every day for 30 days, trust me something will change. 

“Gots to see it thru my boy”

After my first Triathlon and half marathon in September, I was on a “I’m gonna run when I feel like” vibe. I didn't end up running for 4 months. We simply can’t trust ourselves to do the things that are necessary but not appealing. We cant leave it to our emotions either. This Laissez-faire, when I feel like approach is the antithesis of discipline. We just have to “thug it out” on the days we don't want to. When the going gets tough, keep going because in that consistency is where the progress is made. James Clear in Atomic habits mentions how its one's ability to keep going when the work isn't exciting that makes a difference, because the greatest threat to success is not failure, it’s boredom. 

When no one is watching

When eyes aren't watching, and there are no applause, what's your work ethic like? Sometimes our drive is underscored by knowing that there are eye’s on us, as we work. I’ll be real, part of why sometimes I like working in the library is because in my head I compete with the people around me on who’s going to leave their desk first (it’s toxic I know, God’s still working in me.) Sometimes we’re reliant on external applause to substantiate our commitment/work. Is your desire to succeed what's driving you, or do you just look for applause? When the applause are done, are you done?  When the lights are off and the seats are empty, lets perform with just as much excellence. 

If it was easy everyone would do it 

Time spent honing and developing a craft is never time lost. There is no mastery without commitment, commitment takes discipline and discipline takes time. Desire to be a master at your craft; investing the most precious commodity into it (time.) Your gifts will take you places if you work on them. Discipline keeps the groundwork going and it may mean forgoing immediate pleasures. If it was easy, everyone would be a master.

I remember when I used to play football seriously, Coaches would mention this 10,000hr rule to be a master and I’d really grind for those hours, creating a mental tally in my head. Although from research, the 10000 hours is a completely arbitrary figure given, we still do find that the most successful/proficient individuals have dedicated immense time to their craft. Capitalise off the marginal gains. Putting in the work every day, allows you to take advantage of the 8th wonder of the world: compounding.

Thought: What do I do when it gets boring? One thing I do know is that you gotta keep showing up. Also Clear’s Goldilocks rule “do things that sit right at the edge of your current ability. Not too easy, not too hard, just right as though it challenges you though attainable” helps keep the “grind” exciting. Scientists have found this optima to be at around 4% above current ability. Most importantly, sometimes you gotta give yourself a little talking to. To borrow language from the Psalmist, I’ve been beginning to tap my chest and say “O my soul, why are you down cast” keeping going Champ!

The need for discipline is even Biblical

There’s a plethora of scripture on discipline, endurance and carrying on. 1 Corinthians 9:27 and Hebrews 12:11 come to mind on this topic, demonstrating the believer’s need to live a fasted, disciplined life. I love how Paul puts it in my favourite bible scripture, in 2 Timothy Chapter 4 vs 7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Even in faith, it’s about remaining and pressing on (Philippians 3:14) to what’s ahead. It’s easy to answer to an alter call, but as Christ puts it discipleship is characterised by holding onto his teachings (John 8:31.) Spasmodic outbursts will not do, but a steady obedience and continuance in faith. 

You can never hear about discipline enough. Share this with 3 other people that you want to see be their best selves with a bit more discipline. 

NYA