Have a rule in place
The reason is simple…personal rules give us a foundational structure by which we can live our lives.
They eradicate indecision, temptation, and distraction and (paradoxically) create more freedom for us to do the things we love.
It’s one of the reasons why I respect vegetarians who live by the personal rule that “Under no circumstances will I ever eat meat.”
It’s not, “Well, I probably shouldn’t eat meat…but everyone else is having a burger so I’ll indulge just this once.”
When we have the personal rule that we don’t hit the snooze button (and truly live by that rule), we never have to be in bed and negotiate “just five more minutes” with ourselves.
We wake up, turn off the alarm, and get going. Period.
There’s this 75-year-old man named Eddie. And Eddie has a rule. The rule is: If it’s not raining, I’m going for a walk. See hou uncomplicated that is? If it’s cold, windy or sunny, you can be sure that Eddie will be on the street. Rain? Well, he’s at home sipping hot tea.
When we take the time to develop our own rules to live by, everything in life becomes easier. We no longer have to ‘think’ about the decisions and opportunities in our lives…instead we have a clear set of operating priciples that make everything automatic.
And self-discipline means having a few simple, non-negotiable rules! And though I know this, I’m still challenged by actually doing it!
How about you?
4 Comments
Simple. Self-discipline instead of overthinking and changing your mind midstream!
One of my rules: I will enjoy puns and hope others won’t feel pun-ished when I share puns with them.
I have always believed in self-discipline! It is what is lacking a lot in today’s world – it really goes along with common sense, which sadly is also lacking!
Self discipline means I don’t get to discipline someone else!
It’s hard enough sometimes to keep to my own rules.