As a 38 year old husband, father, and business owner, I feel the stress of being pulled in multiple directions at all times. I want to be a father my kids respect and look up to, a business owner who impacts lives and leads from the front, and the husband my wife deserves.
The challenge is that focusing on improving even just one of these could take all my time and energy, but I can’t only focus on one and ignore the others. Instead, I can take deliberate steps to improve in each area, and over time I will be far ahead of where I am today.
One thing I learned years ago is where you are today is a direct reflection of your decisions and actions taken a year ago. Also, where you will be in a year from now is a direct reflection of your decisions and actions you take today.
The only way to keep moving forward and improving what is important is to stay disciplined. But, “How do you become disciplined?”
These are the 5 things that have helped me become more disciplined:
- Plan ahead of time – Things don’t just happen out of nowhere. Being intentional about the main thing you want to accomplish or improve is huge. Narrowing it down to a small action, as well as time blocking really helps me. It sounds super basic but even putting something in my calendar goes a long way. This also helps me with #2.
- Take the thinking out of it – The busier I get the more I value not having to think. We’re constantly thinking, reacting, and problem solving which gets exhausting. The more you can take the thinking out of it the better. This is where hopping in a workout class or getting a coach in something I’m not experienced in pays multiple times over.
- Always have a backup – Many people like eating well and enjoy being active, but when it’s inconvenient these are usually the first things that go sideways. The best thing I have found is to always be prepared. I keep an extra set of workout clothes with me in my truck and always have healthy backup meals or protein in the fridge, so I stay active and don’t succumb to fast food.
- Layer New Habits – Once I have consistently turned a new focus into a habit, then it’s time to add the next small step to move forward. It’s important to layer on a new habit after successfully applying the first. If you try to start all habits at the same time it’s difficult for them to stick.
- Keep yourself accountable – Only you know how you work best. During hard times it’s important to remember why you are focusing on it. It helps me to tell others what my focus is, and ask friends to help me stay on track. I’ve found it to be even more successful when they join me in it, making it a win for both of us.
Becoming disciplined is an ever evolving process. It is never done, but just like in anything, you get better with the more reps you put in. Just like building muscle, most results won’t be seen overnight, but stay on track, and when you look back you might not recognize yourself.