Self-Discipline

Often we worry about other people way before we have really given ourselves enough of a look at. The journey of growth and success must come from the inside out. The first person that each leader must lead is themselves. There is no way to lead effectively without self-discipline. In Number 33 there is a recap of the entire journey out of the land of Egypt to Jordan. What a crazy trip! It ended up taking 40 years when it should've lasted 11 days. Why did it take so long? It was because they weren't prepared, the people were not ready for God's blessing until 40 years later.

How about you? How is your self-discipline? Plato said, " The first and best victory is to conquer self." If you want to be self-disciplined follow these points:

1. Challenge your excuses.
Get rid of the tendency to make excuses. If you come up with reasons why you aren't self-disciplined realize these are barriers to your success that must be removed. We all have reasons why it's not convenient and the leader gets rid of those reasons in their mind so they can go on to the next level.

2. Develop and maintain your priorities.
Everyone is busy, but the successful people have a plan. Figure out what is necessary to your goal and let the other stuff go. This will make it much easier to focus.

3. Stay focused on results.
Most of us want focus on the difficulty of the work that must be put in instead of focusing on the results. We have to stay away from doing what feels good and convenient and make sure we focus and pay the price that is necessary in full and up front. Keep in the front of your mind the benefits from accomplishing your goals and dive in.

4. Make a disciplined lifestyle your goal.
Self-discipline can't be a one-time event. It has to be an overall life philosophy. Develop systems and routines in all areas but specifically to the areas that are important to your main prioirities. Once you have them put them into play every day.

5. Rewards come at the end.
If you lack self-discipline it could be you are in the habit of eating dessert before you've eaten your vegetables. Success will always separate between the shirkers and the workers, because if it didn't we'd all be lazy.