Engaging in genuine discipline requires that you develop
the ability to take action. You don't need to be hasty if
it isn't required, but you don't want to lose much time
either. Here's the time to act: when the idea is hot and
the emotion is strong.
Let's say you would like to build your library. If that is
a strong desire for you, what you've got to do is get the
first book. Then get the second book. Take action as soon
as possible, before the feeling passes and before the idea
dims. If you don't, here's what happens -
- YOU FALL PREY TO THE LAW OF DIMINISHING INTENT -
We intend to take action when the idea strikes us. We
intend to do something when the emotion is high. But if we
don't translate that intention into action fairly soon,
the urgency starts to diminish. A month from now the
passion is cold. A year from now it can't be found.
So take action. Set up a discipline when the emotions are
high and the idea is strong, clear, and powerful. If
somebody talks about good health and you're motivated by
it, you need to get a book on nutrition. Get the book
before the idea passes, before the emotion gets cold.
Begin the process. Fall on the floor and do some push-ups.
You've got to take action; otherwise the wisdom is wasted.
The emotion soon passes unless you apply it to a
disciplined activity. Discipline enables you to capture the
emotion and the wisdom and translate them into action.
The key is to increase your motivation by quickly setting
up the disciplines. By doing so, you've started a whole
new life process.
Here is the greatest value of discipline: self-worth, also
known as self-esteem. Many people who are teaching self-
esteem these days don't connect it to discipline. But once
we sense the least lack of discipline within ourselves, it
starts to erode our psyche. One of the greatest temptations
is to just ease up a little bit. Instead of doing your
best, you allow yourself to do just a little less than your
best. Sure enough, you've started in the slightest way to
decrease your sense of self-worth.
There is a problem with even a little bit of neglect.
Neglect starts as an infection. If you don't take care of
it, it becomes a disease. And, one neglect leads to
another. Worst of all, when neglect starts, it diminishes
our self-worth.
Once this has happened, how can you regain your
self-respect? All you have to do is act now! Start with
the smallest discipline that corresponds to your own
philosophy. Make the commitment: "I will discipline myself
to achieve my goals so that in the years ahead I can
celebrate my successes."
To Your Success,
Jim Rohn