Self-Discipline: ‘Challenge’ your ‘challenge’

Self-Discipline is something that should be celebrated and not frowned upon. I think if we learn to embrace the reasons and consequences of self-discipline more, we will find our selves in a better place each day. I know it may be hard to stick to a work out plan, study for school or even save money when there are so many enticing distractions. However, if we learn to look at the overall goals, those distractions become less enticing each time we are faced with them. From personal experience, the areas and instances I have failed were when I was heavily distracted with something major in my life e.g., a college exam, a financial issue, etc. But, the point I realized that has kept me on the winning side of life thus far is to handle those issues at that specific time without loosing focus of the overall purpose of my life. For example, I had a difficult professor who was very strict on the type of books we needed to have for class, and the time we were to show up for class. For a lot of students, including myself, I found it very difficult to be in his class and every time that class was coming up on my schedule for me to attend, I absolutely dreaded it. But, I had to change my mindset in regards to the purpose of me attending the class that was to broaden knowledge on the subject, graduate with a degree, obtain better opportunities for financial wealth and be a better person for those around me. As I focused on those long-term goals, attending this professor class and adhering to his strict rules wasn’t as difficult as it was earlier. Others continued to have issues and began to drop out of class. I find this way of thinking a method of being self-discipline meaning to stay the course regardless of the issues that come into play. I continued with my positive overarching purpose for attending and actually began to love the course. All in all, this class example can apply to any area of your life because we are all faced with challenges that make us want to turn the other way or just give up on the dream all together. I challenge you to ‘challenge’ your ‘challenge’ through self-discipline and staying the course. Don’t let your dreams die out because of some obscene obstacle in your life, but let your self-discipline skills turn your dreams into reality. I promise you that it is much better on the other side of the challenge rather than the fearful side. 

~ Dr. Ronnie O’Brien Rice