Disciplines – training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character.

Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly, or box like one who beats the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified. – Paul in 1 Corinthians 9

I am a big believer in practicing disciplines in ones life to improve performance as well as develop helpful habits in our life.  One of the disciplines that I have begun is writing this blog 3x a week.  This morning, it is not something that I fell inspired to do, or have the “fire in my belly”, yet that is what discipline is all about… pushing on whether you feel like it or not.

In the New Testament the word “self control or temperance” is the same word as self-discipline.  The most common Greek word for self-control is enkrateia.  Its root meaning is “power over oneself” or “self-mastery.” Self-control, in the broadest sense is… mastery over our desires.  Self discipline is the practice of holding our appetites in check, controlling our will or regulating our conduct.

When it comes to money management, very few Americans seem to be able to practice SELF control on a day-to-day basis.  Rather than living on a budget that allocates how they will spend the money they earn, their passions and desires dictate how they spend.  In their head they may know they should pay down their debt, and begin to save/invest on a systematic basis.  Yet, in their daily practice… they choose NOT to exercise the self discipline, instead they indulge themselves and put off doing “the hard things” necessary to succeed financially.

In many cases it is a lack of goals, and a plan to reach those goals that holds them back.  The picture above says it best, “Discipline is the BRIDGE between GOALS and ACCOMPLISHMENTS.”  If you want to begin self-discipline, begin by taking some time to sit alone and evaluate where you are today vs. where you want to be down the road.  Be brutally honest with yourself, and also take the time to dream about the future you want for you and your family.

In my life the date was January 3 2001, and I was running a report on my financial status, preparing for tax time.  I was 39 years old at the time, and after looking at my financial snapshot it became clear that my finances were a mess.  I had a negative net worth, credit card debt, other revolving debt, little savings or retirement funds.  The net result of almost 20 years of working was I had a negative net worth!  Now I could give you all kinds of reasons (excuses) for why things were like they were, but the bottom line was I was failing financially.

So I determined right then that the next 20 years would be different, that I had the power to change things but it would requires developing some goals, then a game plan to reach those goals.  To execute that game plan in my life required SELF-DISCIPLINES that would need to be started and continued if the next 20 years would be different.  Good intentions are not enough, they are a start but the road of our lives are littered by folks who have fallen by the wayside with good intentions.  As the cliche’ goes, “If you keep doing what you’ve always done you keep getting what you’ve always gotten”.

What about you?  Are you ready for a change?

1. Start by sitting down with your spouse, or a close friend and evaluating where you are today.
2. Determine specifically where you want to be at a point and time down the road.
3. List the changes that will need to be made to accomplish these goals.
4. Begin the process of self-transformation by establishing disciplines in your life to keep you on track.

If I can help you in any way feel free to shoot me a note.

Dave