Ah discipline, where to start with the famous discipline…;
I will say first that it took some discipline to finally start writing this text. It would have been easier to stay in the living room and watch a Netflix show. Discipline is probably the most difficult and demanding value and attribute to acquire. It is built through perseverance, courage and requires a great deal of self-control. To this day I am still striving to incorporate into my daily life. I can only imagine how much I could have accomplished with better discipline earlier in my life. I have a huge admiration for people who have good discipline. To me it's almost like having a superpower, except it's real and available to everyone.
DISCIPLINE WITHOUT FREEDOM IS TYRANNY. FREEDOM WITHOUT DISCIPLINE IS CHAOS.
But the subject is of actuality for two reasons. #1 This is the value that I currently teach my young students in our children's groups. We repeat a few easy-to-remember phrases ;
DISCIPLINE ; Respect the rules, do what my parents and my teacher ask right away!! SELF-DISCIPLINE; I accomplish my tasks in a timely manner, I have the power to keep going and not give up, this helps to improve myself and achieve my goals!!!
We sit down briefly and discuss the subject and I present them with a little challenge which is to make their bed to get a stripe on their belt. I was inspired a few years ago by the following Navy SEAL speech;
I also offer children the “5 Sayings of Discipline”, my favorite saying;
DISCIPLINE CAN REPLACE MANY ATTRIBUTES. NONE CAN REPLACE DISCIPLINE
I invite them to read it and discuss it with their parents. I invite parents to share with them a personal example of how discipline has helped them achieve a goal and helps them in everyday life. #2 What really inspired me to make DISCIPLINE the next topic on the Audax blog was an email from a mom asking about our classes for her 14 year old daughter. She decided not to go ahead for fear that her daughter's motivation would not be up to par. "I don't want to spend all that money only to have her drop out after 3 classes"... Here is what I answered her;
“I myself registered my children (11 and 12 years old) in an activity with a 3 month membership with the same apprehension. But that's how you learn discipline... "You're interested in this, you want to do it...OK, I invest a considerable amount for you guys to join, I buy you the necessary equipment and YOU must have the discipline to follow through on your commitment." Of course, their discipline will depend on the parents who sometimes have to reinforce the commitment of the children. There will always be a time when our child will not want to leave the comfort of home, the distraction of their tablet etc. to go do another activity. It also happens that some mornings our children say they don't want to go to school, "you're not sick, you're going to school"... Few parents are open to negotiation on this.
WHEN MOTIVATION ABANDONS YOU LET DISCIPLINE TAKE ITS PLACE. Same thing for us adults and parents, after a day of work we don't always have the motivation to leave the comfort of the house to go train, or to accompany our child who also doesn't want to go. Forcing our muscles to work, being out of breath and sweaty, phew! it's a lot of effort... It takes discipline!
But it is very rare that once there we regret it. Especially with passionate and energetic coaches. A group, for children and adults, where we find a culture of respect, mutual aid and camaraderie. Then once the workout is over, the feeling of accomplishment, the endorphins released will have you feeling great for sure.
My invitation to try remains open, even if you think your Daughter Will not want to join, You are welcome. Otherwise good luck in your search.”
DISCIPLINE IS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN GOALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS To accomplish anything worthwhile, it takes discipline. Yes it is much easier to have discipline when we are good and passionate about doing something. Still, the most disciplined will always have a better chance of achieving their goals. We've all been guilty of saying we were going to do something only to end up doing nothing. The problem is that by doing nothing, we weaken our “self-discipline muscles” over time. But as we often say at Audax; Never give up! It's never too late to improve your discipline, myself included.
"I don't want to do that!"
That's why discipline exists, no need to want to do it, know that you must do it. It takes constant effort, but the results are well worth it. For children's discipline, it will only be as good as the self-discipline of parents...
To conclude I will end with the 5th sayings;
SEEK FREEDOM AND YOU WILL BECOME A SLAVE TO YOUR DESIRES. SEEK DISCIPLINE AND YOU WILL FIND FREEDOM.
I will add in many cases; “MASTER DISCIPLINE AND YOUR DESIRES WILL BECOME REALITY” Coach Eric Alphonso
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