“How Do I Stay Disciplined?”

I recently held a tiny contest on Facebook, challenging everyone to submit a question for “Dear Cassie,” and, in return, they would get a Bible verse graphic designed for them (by me). I chose this particular question because 1. it’s the first question I’ve received that had to do with me personally (not just my opinions on Theology or particular situations), and 2. because I think self-discipline is something we all need to get better at- including myself!

First of all, here’s the graphic for this lady’s favorite Bible verse- Romans 10:11

Now, on to her question:

How do you stay so disciplined? Are there any steps that you could offer or recommend to a person that is trying to build healthy habits and be disciplined. 

Wow. I rarely think of myself as disciplined simply because I am a class-A, self-diagnosed dabbler! I’m going to answer this question to the best of my ability though, while remaining humbled and a bit stunned that others would consider me disciplined.

Well, I guess for those of you who don’t know me or who rarely (if ever) follow my work, let me explain to you a bit of what I do in order to give you a clearer picture of who I am and how I operate.

I am: a Christian- first and foremost, a wife, SAHM, 7th grade girls small group leader at church, a women’s LIFE group leader, a writer, poet, and blogger. I dabble in everything: art, singing, decorating, ((very small)) graphic design, house projects, science, Bible teaching, and more. I am a hippie at heart, a country girl by nature, and a class-act lady no matter what the haters think. 😉

When it comes to self-discipline, although it’s something that I constantly strive to grow in, any that I currently have I attribute directly to God, my parents, and my own stubborn nature. I was raised to enjoy lots of different things from learning how to throw a hatchet to painting my toenails while talking on the phone. However, through all of this eclectic upbringing, I was taught something very important: whatever you do, give it your best shot. For me, that was more than a typical cliche but a life-structure. I learned that it’s better to do something right the first time than to take more time later to re-do it, and I found out (oftentimes the hard way) that pride in one’s work only comes when you do your best.

In regards to self-discipline, I see it the same as trying my best at anything else. I do this to a fault a lot though and turn it into perfectionism but, hey, I’m learning. Another thing I think that pushes me a little harder to really do my best is my overwhelming desire to keep my word… even if it’s to myself. If I say I’m going to do something, then I’m going to give it all I’ve got. I am learning when I need to say no, and when to admit weakness or inability to finish something, but in it all I try to always keep my word.

I do have to give myself wiggle room… I am a mom after all, and can’t expect- even myself- to be able to do all the things I want to do, exactly when I want to do them. Still, my inner-drive to do my best and do what I said I would do keeps me at least headed in the right direction.

As far as practical tips or suggestions go: there’s probably a lot more than I’ll list here, but I’ll throw out some ideas just to try and help a bit. You know the thing(s) that you have on your plate and you know what areas you want more self-discipline in, so think of those things as you continue reading.

1. Decide how important it is to you. Do you know why so many of us struggle with losing weight, accomplishing a goal, or trying that new thing? Because we haven’t yet established how important it is to us. You can’t go by emotions though- our hearts lie to us constantly! I won’t always feel like writing or working out, but if I remember why it’s important to me, then I’m more likely to stick with it.

Importance of something is not based on temporary desire, drive, or feeling, it’s based on purpose. For example: I want to write because I know God has given me a gift and I know for a fact that He wants to use that to reach others for His glory. That is my purpose in writing. I want to exercise and eat right because I have two children that I want to be able to run around with, I want my husband to continue finding me physically attractive, I want to be strong enough to hold my own in this life and not have to have others take care of me just because I’m too weak or unhealthy. Find the value in what you want to do and WRITE IT DOWN! That leads me to my next point…

2. WRITE IT DOWN!!! Don’t just jot a note and put it in a drawer somewhere that you’ll never look in again. Identify what you want to grow in, write down why it’s important to you, and then stick it somewhere obvious! There are countless things that we forget because we get brain-overload in this chaotic world we live in; you may have a good idea or motivation for today, but will you remember it tomorrow?

3. Make your word your bond and do your best. Even if the only one depending on what you’re doing is you, make a decision and give your word! Make it to where if you tell someone you’re going to do something, you do everything humanly possible to do it. While you do not want to flippantly give your word on anything, if what you’re trying to do is something that is God-honoring and within His will, then at least tell yourself that you’re going to do it (again- with the condition that it is God’s will- trust me, that’s more important). Don’t go around bragging about what you are doing, but confidently speak it in trust that God will do with it what He desires, then STAY close to Him so you’ll know if you need to keep on that track or not. Once you do this step, work at it for God!

Here is a verse you need to write down. I actually just got through telling this to my 8-year-old son the other day when laziness reared its annoying head.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Colossians 3:23-24)

Whether your “work” is a blog, staying healthy, accomplishing a goal, or doing a chore, do it as if God were asking you to do it- and make your work for His glory. If God were to ask you to do that mundane chore, you’d probably do it better and with a better attitude wouldn’t you? We have to do this with the following understanding: God doesn’t expect perfection but He does expect our best. If we fall short, He doesn’t want us to beat ourselves up- that accomplishes nothing. He does want us to do everything for Him though, and that’s a HUGE motivator!

All in all, self-discipline is a learned skill. The more we practice it, the better we get at it. I think the key lies in our hearts though… when we identify the importance of what we want to do, write down our goal and the worth of it, and commit to doing it- with the work being all for God’s glory, then I think the learning process is off to a really good start.

PS: Another REALLY helpful thing is getting an accountability partner. Find someone who cares about you, who’ll call you on your crap, who’ll commit to praying for you, and who will walk beside you and check on you and your progress. If you find someone who would be willing to do this, you’ve found an incredible tool to help sharpen you into the person God designed for you to be; you may even need several people if you have goals in different areas- the more the merrier!

Lots of prayers to you sweetie- I think we all could use a little more discipline and I’m right there learning with you!