It is desire I seek, not discipline.
I have never understood the connection between these word siblings. In trying to wake up early, go to the gym or stop at that drink-before-drunk I tried forcing discipline upon myself. This was simplistic thinking, thinking in one-stage and not understanding the complexity of the human mind. We are desire based creatures and we must use this as a base for understanding any action.
Why could I not wake up early? Because I didn't have enough discipline? No. I simply did not have enough desire. Same goes for any action that requires consistent effort and focus of thought, desire is the starting point. Desire is the message behind every goal setting book ever written.
I have read that one cannot maintain a high level of self-discipline long enough to even get through one day (I have tried, its hard). However, if discipline is not forced through denial of desires but rather in accordance with desires it stops being a challenge.
Look to strengthen your desires, not your discipline. The discipline will come.
Friday, March 16, 2007
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2 comments:
I've taken to rewiring my brain to derive satisfaction from achievement.
Its about setting milestones that you can measure progress against.
Case and point: I'm completing week 5 of a 9 week couch potatoe to 5km running program. I've lost about 30 pounds so far (also assisted by a change in the way I eat, not what I eat... slower, smaller portions, throughout the day)
The same for my professional practice -- I've developed a workflow that allows me to measure exactly what I've achieved -- and get constant live feedback.
And everytime you do -- everytime you manage to wake up, to run, to not drink, you need to celebrate that -- get excited about it.
Soon, it'll come naturally -- the excitement.
Think of watering dogs mouths -- BUILD THE DESIRE
Great thoughts Caleb!!I totally agree, too often we think of our brains as 'set' things. Yet they are malleable and at our command. Almost ironic that using our brains we have to take command of our brains.
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