George Washington once said that discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, secures success for the weak, and brings respect to all. Discipline is an essential weapon for achieving our goals. It consists of a set of rules we regularly impose on ourselves to reach a specific objective.

This definition highlights that discipline is used to achieve a predefined goal. The recurring aspect of discipline implies the need for perseverance. Furthermore, the word “discipline” is connected to the notion of a disciple, which refers to someone who follows their master’s teachings.

Thus, being disciplined means being obedient, compliant, and submitting to requirements in a particular field. For example, on a race track, all competitors run to win, but only one can triumph. Achieving success requires rigorous and strategic discipline. Similarly, athletes impose strict discipline on themselves in all areas to win a medal, even if it may quickly fade for some.

Margaret Thatcher stated that disciplining oneself to do what is right and important, even when it is difficult, is the path to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction. Therefore, to succeed in everything we do and shine brightly, we must practice self-discipline intentionally and consistently.

This requires organizing and controlling oneself to achieve a certain result in the completion of an action. Although discipline may seem harsh at first, it produces a peaceful fruit for those who practice it regularly, like an athlete who:

• follows a regular training regimen, the cornerstone of their discipline.

• commits to working hard, pushing their limits, and giving their best in every training session.

• maintains a balanced diet, suited to their needs, and avoids junk food.

• cultivates an unshakeable winning mindset, avoids behaviors that could harm their performance (such as alcohol, tobacco, or drug abuse), seeks to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and manages stress.

• remains flexible and focused on their vision to achieve their goals, even when things become difficult and change in their strategic planning.

• listens to and respects the advice of their coaches and team, as well as the rules of their sport (competition, fair play, ethics).

• constantly adjusts their performance by keeping training journals to track progress, identifies areas for improvement, and adjusts their plan accordingly.

Today, decide to grow in your personal discipline. To do this, take on a 21-day challenge to establish a positive habit that matters to you. Apply yourself to it regularly each day, track your progress with reminders and a tracking chart.

Activity 4.3: Evaluate your level of discipline today.

Identify at least three of the seven key spheres of life where discipline is important to you. For each one, assess your level of discipline on a scale of 1 (low) to 7 (high), and state how you wish to improve or maintain this discipline. Set measurable goals (e.g., reaching a level 6 in family discipline within 2 months), then monitor your progress and adjust accordingly.

This text is an excerpt from the book DESTINED TO SHINE written by Nadia KPONDJO.

We invite you to read the next article, “Annual and Monthly Programming”.

LIFE DISCIPLINE. LIFE DISCIPLINE