BLOG05c- SelfDiscipline ORGANIZATION
In my blog, two weeks ago, I left you with this analogy: Self-denial and Appreciation are measurably powerful allies to your quest. "Action" is the element that allows you to lock in the direction of your journey.
Let's jump back onto that train of thought, in today's blog, in which we will focus on our fourth element of learning self-discipline: ORGANIZATION.
"Organization" would be (in that analogy) the needle of the compass used in your journey. When you begin to move, and you are moving in the direction of your goal (Let's call it "North"), there will be the many obstacles that you must and will come face-to-face with. Having some form of structured plan allows you to work out the contingencies, so that your time and efforts (In Mandarin, I believe the term is translated loosely, "Gung Fu" ((crickets…. crickets…)) ) are not wasted. It also ensures that you have an actual chance of completing the journey that you mean to complete vs. the one that someone else planned for you.
It's part "strategy" and part "tactics." That is: It puts your actions in the best places and moments, and then allows you to refine the following movements. It's that simple, but it is not always easy. If, in the example, you are heading North to a distant, yet visible mountain, a straight route may not be available for you to take.
What would you do? Naturally, you would make your necessary adjustments, while keeping an eye on your mountain. Over hills, under trees, around rivers; no matter what, you keep your eye on the goal, but what of the times when the mountain is not quite visible with the naked eye? You bring out your compass. Then, whatever blocks your vantage point does not matter, so much. Even getting lost, occasionally, won't matter.
This is the benefit of having some level of organization in your goal-setting, as it relates to your building self-discipline. No matter what obscures your vision or interrupts your progress, you are always equipped to get back on track.
In martial arts training, it is very important to make time to train on your own time. After all, the teacher and your classmates cannot force you to be your best. Since no one else can be there all the time to move you along, it falls back upon you and self-discipline. When you are going about the work of building yourself to the best you can be, every little bit of motivation and support helps, starting with what goes on in your own mind.
One of the things I have always found effective is to get a block of post-it notes, and write down the 5-10 things that I have to get done, that day or that week. I post it somewhere that I will often see it, and I mark them off, as I get them done. Nothing too complex; just general things such as: morning stretches, balance the checkbook, work out for 5 minutes, etc. The idea is to let your mind work out how to best get these vital things done, and it will.
All day long, things are thrown at you from different angles, and your mind's job is to navigate them, while staying on course. Being even minimally organized (having SOME sort of plan written or perceived) helps you to prepare for your day, and takes the burden of just trying to mentally do these things OUT OF YOUR HEADSPACE, by making them tangible. It helps to keep the mind clear of excess clutter, and keep your despair at a minimum, while building the habits that you will benefit from for the rest of your life.
Plus, there is an added perk of having a daily success. (Can you hear the swoosh! of the crumpled, completed post-it note going into the circular file? SWEEET!) And with that, we have the perfect seque to our blog coming up next week, where we will cover our final facet of How to Learn Self-Discipline: Taking Stock.
For now, I invite your comments about this blog, and also, you can share with us your answer to this question:
"What ways do YOU commonly build positive habits?"
Until then, be well, be better & be your best!
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