Two Types of Discipline

There are two types of discipline. 

The first is imposed discipline. This is where the habits and practices of discipline are forced upon you. The military is particularly skilled at this. They tell you what to do, how to do it and when. They set high standards and expect you to meet them, and doll out punishment when you don’t.

The second is self-discipline. You hold yourself to high standards and force yourself to meet them. You don’t need anyone looking over your shoulder, or screaming in your ear, you just get things done. 

Imposed discipline will only get you so far. 

To truly get things done and accomplish your dreams, you’re going to need self-discipline. You’re going to need the will and determination to push through hard times. You’re going to need the strength to face your fears and overcome them. You’re going to need the discipline to hold the line and stay the course when you don’t feel like it. 

Cultivate self-discipline. It’s the best and truest form of discipline and the best path to achieving your goals. 

The Scariest Moment

You know that thing you need to do? That thing that scares you? That thing that everything within you dreads doing?

That thing is only scary and fills you with fear because you haven’t jumped in. You haven’t started yet. 

“The scariest moment,” King said, “is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.”

Most of the things we dread don’t turn out as terrible when we get up close and personal with them. Once you overcome your fear and begin things only improve. 

So hear’s to getting started. To rolling up your sleeves and taking the first step. That's the hardest part. It's all down hill after that.

On the other side of that first step is the freedom that comes from beating fear. The freedom that comes from engaging discipline and doing things inspite of fear. 

Look To Christ Not Self-Discipline

The default position of the human heart is set towards earning. We assume that we must work and work and work to achieve absolutely everything, including God’s praise. 

“We all automatically gravitate toward the assumption that we are justified by our level of sanctification…We start each day with our personal security resting not on the accepting love of God and the sacrifice of Christ but on our present feelings or recent achievements in [religion]. Since these arguments will not quiet the human conscience, we are inevitably moved…to a self-righteousness which falsifies the record to achieve a sense of peace.” —Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life

Hit pause for a moment before heading out the door to worship or whatever it is on your calendar this day. Look at your heart and life. Consider its defaults position and ask yourself examining questions. Questions like, “Do I place too much stock in my own self-discipline?” Or, “Have I come to believe that I am saved by my own efforts and will?” Better still, “If someone were to look at my life, would they conclude the same?” 

I struggle and fall into this trap far too often. I can allow how I am doing and how disciplined I am to become the measure of my relationship with God. I feel close and pleasing to Him when I am doing well; and distant and displeasing when I fall short. 

Neither of those things is true. My standing before God does not change regardless of how early I get up, how much time I spend reading the Bible, or how I pray. It also does not shift or change when I choose to sin. 

Right behavior and discipline are not the foundation of our relationship with God. Christ’s is. He measured up in every way we fall short and more.  

Look to Christ for security instead of at your subjective performance. It’s a far more stable foundation. It will not fail. 

The Rule of Expansion

What we focus our attention on expands. It starts taking ground like an army on the move. It grows and grows filling up more and more space in our mind. 

That can be good if you’re working on an important project or something you love. But it’s devastating when that thing eating up your mental resources isn’t good or helpful. 

That’s why we have to test each thought entering our minds. Is it something worth focusing on? Is it helping you grow, improve and win? Is it something good, honorable and right? 

Banish thoughts that nag and eat away at you. Things like worry, and fear. Tell them to leave and then lock the door behind them.

Use the rule of expansion to your advantage by choosing to focus on good, positive things. Allow them to fill your mind and drive you forward. They will lead down the path to strength, health and a better life.

Raving Fans

Ken Blanchard was famous for his concept of creating raving fans. He used to say that satisfying customers wasn’t the goal. Creating situations where they’re absolutely blown away is.  

Creating those experiences isn’t as difficult as you think. It takes going that extra inch to make every encounter with you and your business remarkable. It’s being different in a way that improves how your customer feels about working with you. 

You want people to walk away not only satisfied but raving about you. You want them obsessed and telling everyone about it. 

Put others first. Be interested in the lives of others. Be present everywhere you are, not distracted by your phone or what’s going on around you. Look people in the eye. Smile. Care enough to listen. Say “please,” and “thank you.” 

These are simple things. We can all do better at creating raving fans. Whether they’re fans of our business or fans of us personally. 

Aim to leave a great impression on everyone you meet. 

Do this and you’ll have a stellar reputation. Not only that, but you’ll have a life full of more love and kindness than you thought possible.