What’s at the core of achieving the good life? To start exploring this question, let’s look at what’s not at the core. The major key is not learning how to set goals, or managing your time. And it’s not mastering the fine art of leadership. Day by day, we try to find ways to improve ourselves by learning how to do new things. We spend a lifetime gathering knowledge in classrooms through textbooks and experiences. But if knowledge is power, then why do those who seek it sometimes fall short of their objective? Why, despite our quests for knowledge and experience, do we find ourselves aimlessly wandering, settling for mere existence rather than a life of substance?
Everyone has their own opinion, but, in my view, the answer is lack of discipline.
We need to put ourselves in front of that word discipline and call it self-discipline. Self-discipline is basically one’s ability to focus or act consistently to complete a task or attain a goal. It doesn’t matter how intelligent you are, or if you got the highest honors in school, or attended all the conferences and seminars of the great orators. Unless you apply what you’ve learned, you won’t get results. If you do apply your knowledge, eventually you will realize success. To quote Earl Nightingale: “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal or goal.” The key word is here is “progressive”, which means you’re moving towards an objective.
So, self-discipline is better than knowledge. When you’re disciplined, it means you’re applying knowledge. Not only did you study to get results, but you’re also applying what you learned. I like to say that knowledge is like paint: you don’t see the difference unless you apply it.
So, the key to having a good life and success is consistent self-discipline. Whether you want to be a good parent, have better relationships, or be an influential leader, if you lack consistent discipline, your results will be haphazard. You’ll be all over the place. Zig Ziglar said it best: “Don’t be a wandering generality, be an aiming specific.” Knowing what you want and bringing that to pass requires a change, either physically and/or mentally. Setting goals is not a catch-all, and time management technique is not the hallmark of mastery. Studying the Art of Leadership doesn’t bestow any honors upon you.
However, if you act on the things you want to achieve day by day, your actions become habitual. That’s when you’ll see results.
Self-Discipline and leadership
Self-discipline is the highest form of leadership. You are the captain of your ship, the master of your own soul. Leading yourself is a challenge, and how well you do it is one way your character shows up. Honestly, there are days when I just want to take a break from keeping myself under control. The problem is, it’s unwise to take a day off.
The bottom line: if you want to live the good life, follow Jim Rohn’s formula: “Success = Just a few acts of SELF-DISCIPLINE, practiced daily, over a reasonable period.
No lasting change ever came about without consistent effort, and in terms of personal growth, this often involves getting a little uncomfortable.
The ‘growth mindset’ is defined as an individual’s belief that their talents and contributions have the ability to be developed through hard work, practice, and patience. Those who instead believe their abilities to be innate and unchangeable are said to possess a fixed mindset.
While our current life situations may be sustainable, even somewhat comfortable, the fact remains that by staying within these comfort zones we automatically close ourselves off to the possibility of thriving and living a life rich in passion, inspiration, and creativity.
The study of the neural pathways within the brain has proven that over time, our brains become accustomed to functioning in a certain way. This creates stronger pathways that are reinforced every time we act that way or think specific thoughts. (This is why habits are so hard to break!) When we adapt our thoughts and beliefs, we are literally reprogramming our brain.
It’s important to know that by knowingly re-directing our thoughts, we can influence changes in the brain. This leads to the cultivation of stronger, more positive pathways which will lead to a growth mindset.
To determine if you have a growth or fixed mindset, read each of the following statements and decide whether you mostly agree or disagree with it:
1. Your intelligence is something very basic about you that you can’t change very much. 2. You can learn new things, but you can’t really change how intelligent you are. 3. No matter how much intelligence you have, you can always change it quite a bit. 4. You can always substantially change how intelligent you are.
Questions 1 and 2 reflect a fixed-mindset. Questions 3 and 4 point to a growth mindset.
We are motivated to educate as many people as possible which is why we host many events. From in-person educational experiences to virtual webinars, masterclasses, and even parties to celebrate our clients, we encourage everyone to get involved with all of our offerings. Take a look at all of our exciting 5 week Masterclass December 4th, 2021
With over 40 million Americans suffering from some form of anxiety, it’s time we took a long hard look at our beliefs and the society which cultivates them.
Fear can manipulate situations and cause us to subconsciously make choices and take actions that do not directly align with our values and beliefs. Fear underlies almost every wrong decision, negative reaction, and notions of self-doubt we’ve ever had.
Anxiety, panic, apprehension, and anger are forms of fear having manipulated itself and tricked us into thinking otherwise. The result? Many people end up self-medicating or abusing substances, so they don’t have to deal with the fears, thinking that by temporarily ignoring it, we are breaking up with it entirely.
To let go of our fears, we must first detach ourselves from them, which means cultivating a sense of self-awareness. Confronting your fears is the only way to access the ability to transform and break away from them.
A great technique that can help those seeking to let go of fears once and for all is to examine the worst-case scenario for whatever you’re fearing.
To start, zero into precisely what your fear is – try to narrow it down to a word or sentence if you can. This step can often prove the most challenging, especially for those unaccustomed to facing difficult emotions head-on. The key to this step is to be open, aware, and honest with yourself. Try writing down your fears if you’re struggling to dissect them.
Next, imagine the worst-case scenario surrounding each fear. By sitting through this discomfort, it becomes possible for you to release the feasibility of the situation and evaluate its likelihood.
Finally, take note of how each fear makes you feel paying particular attention to where in your body you feel it. For example, you may experience a tightness in the chest or nerves in your stomach. Over time you will recognize this feeling so you can address your fear before it gets out of control.
Confronting our fears while in a ‘safe’ environment is the best way to strengthen us to combat them when they might arise in an unexpected situation.
We are motivated to educate as many people as possible which is why we host many events. From in-person educational experiences to virtual webinars and even parties to celebrate our clients, we encourage everyone to get involved with all of our offerings. Take a look at all of our exciting events here: carolyledestiny.leadingthebest.com
The second principle focuses on this idea: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Zig Ziglar said it best—if you help enough people get what they want, then they will help you to get what you want. Your direction in life is determined by not only what you do for yourself, but how you invest your money, love, and time into others. It’s important to show someone that they are valuable—that they are not forgotten. Remember that we are all connected together. When you help one, you help all.
