What Is Your Lifestyle?
“Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time,” – John C. Maxwell
LIVING A LIFESTYLE OF DISCIPLINE
When you hear the word DISCIPLINE, what words come to mind when you think of discipline? Well, this topic is not like that! Do you pursue a lifestyle of discipline? In this lifestyle, every act of discipline is its own reward regardless of the external results. Ultimately, you will find VALUE in your intention, the decision, and the action. The main purpose is not to get the best things, but to be the best person you can be. For many, words already have a word picture attached to them due to experiences from an early age. If the word DISCIPLINE reminds you of legalistic do’s and don’ts, punishment, “you are wrong,” “you have to do this to get that,” then it is important you take time to unpack it so you may get to a place where you believe a lifestyle of discipline will bring out the authentic YOU and not the opposite. The aim is not to use DISCIPLINE, but to LIVE disciplined.
WHY DOES DISCIPLINE MATTER?
Discipline is your ability to hold yourself accountable and do what needs to be done – even if you don’t necessarily want to. You are not born with it, but it is a skill you develop. We developed this skill set in school and at home over the years. Doing our homework and studying for tests requires discipline. Showing up to soccer or football practice after school takes discipline.
What is your LIFESTYLE? (life·style --the way in which a person or group lives.)
✨What words would you use to describe your lifestyle if you had to describe it to someone else? Is it fulfilling and sustaining?
✨If you are not sure, what type of lifestyle do you want?
✨What is getting in the way of having the lifestyle you would like?
✨What are one or two items from your list where you can add a lifestyle of discipline to it and bring more value or direction to your life?
Take time to meditate on the questions above. Write down what comes to mind and build your lifestyle of discipline!
BEING INTENTIONAL = LIFESTYLE OF DISCIPLINE
Have you ever met someone who is super focused? You can see it in their eyes and actions ... INTENTIONAL. You give them a plan or a goal and they say “I’m on it.” Living intentionally comes down to living a lifestyle of discipline. A lifestyle of discipline is guiding you to identify your priorities and values and live in alignment with them every day.
“Intentional living is the art of making our own choices before others’ choices make us.”
An INTENTIONAL lifestyle of discipline is also about your self-care, your hopes, and your dreams. It is being intentional about receiving the most out of life while being mindful and present in your here and now.
📌Be intentional about your heart - search your heart and let healing and forgiveness bring change to it.
📌Be intentional about clutter – remove those things that are taking up unhealthy space in your life and holding you back.
📌Be intentional about your life - start with the end in mind – who do you want to be and what do you want to accomplish by your final chapter? Start there and work back to the present.
📌Be intentional with personal boundaries - don’t let emotional robbers steal your joy and peace (and your authentic self).
📌Be intentional about your personal core values and morals - they are your internal compass.
What would you add to the list?
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
DO THE WORK
To create a lifestyle of discipline, you have to DO THE WORK. Your team has to do the work. No one will do it for you. This lifestyle allows you to stay focused on becoming the person you want to be in every moment, every day. It is not just reaching the goals in life, but who is the person that reaches those goals?
“It doesn’t have to be difficult”
KEYS TO DO THE WORK:
📌Stay present. Be aware of who you are in key moments.
📌Practice, practice, practice. The lifestyle of discipline is like a muscle: the more you train it, the stronger you become.
📌Live intentionally.
📌Pursue it like you pursue other things that are important to you.
To live a lifestyle of discipline doesn’t mean it has to be filled with stress, pressure, boredom, loneliness, comparison, or fear. It is meant to be rewarding, and challenging so we CAN grow/mature and teach us HOW to navigate those “life moments” that show up.
DO THE WORK
As a single mom who raised two children, I lived a lifestyle of discipline, especially during those early years. How did I do it? I applied the keys listed above. It has changed over the years because I have changed. I have matured and grown stronger as a person, but my lifestyle of discipline has become a secure foundation I walk on every day. It doesn’t have to be difficult. DO THE WORK.
Galatians 6:9 “Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.”
LET IT GO
To live a lifestyle of discipline you need to learn the practice the art of LETTING IT GO. LET GO of the disappointments, the rejection, the “I don’t understand,” and not making decisions because of fear, insecurity, pride, and the fear of the unknown. LET IT GO! Protect your lifestyle of discipline. Protect your mindset, emotions, intentions, and your boundaries. To live your best lifestyle of discipline so that you may live with productive motives, intentions, and actions … you need to LET IT GO.
💯LET GO of the heavyweights of the past, self-limiting beliefs, and the unjust that was done to you.
💯Be INTENTIONAL about LETTING IT GO. LETTING GO unveils the AUTHENTIC YOU....that is good news!
💯Be the BEST VERSION OF YOU and live your best life ever. LET IT GO.
Isaiah 43:18-19, Amp. “Do not remember the former things, Or ponder the things of the past. Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
THIS I KNOW… UNDERSTANDING YOUR WHY.
How does your WHY relate to your lifestyle of discipline? If you don’t know your WHY, you will eventually resent your lifestyle of discipline and discipline will become legalistic to you filling your mindset with DOs and DON’Ts. Why do you want to start a business? Why do you want to earn that promotion at work? Why do you want to eat healthier, or kick that bad habit?
When you know your WHY, you are convinced quicker in your mindset and you will move in your actions easier to accomplish something. Take precious time to understand and figure out (1) what is driving you and (2) what is the WHY. Keep these answers in front of your mindset as you create your lifestyle of discipline.
MY FRIEND, the best is yet to come. Don’t underestimate yourself, your abilities, and your future.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
