Engaging in genuine discipline
requires that you develop the ability to take action. You don't
need to be hasty if it isn't required, but you don't want to
lose much time either. Here's the time to act: when the idea is
hot and the emotion is strong.
Let's say you would like to build
your library. If that is a strong desire for you, what you've
got to do is get the first book. Then get the second book. Take
action as soon as possible, before the feeling passes and before
the idea dims. If you don't, here's what happens -
- You Fall Prey To The Law Of
Diminishing Intent -
We intend to take action when the
idea strikes us. We intend to do something when the emotion is
high. But if we don't translate that intention into action
fairly soon, the urgency starts to diminish. A month from now
the passion is cold. A year from now it can't be found.
So take action. Set up a
discipline when the emotions are high and the idea is strong,
clear, and powerful. If somebody talks about good health and
you're motivated by it, you need to get a book on nutrition. Get
the book before the idea passes, before the emotion gets cold.
Begin the process. Fall on the floor and do some push-ups.
You've got to take action; otherwise the wisdom is wasted. The
emotion soon passes unless you apply it to a disciplined
activity. Discipline enables you to capture the emotion and the
wisdom and translate them into action. The key is to increase
your motivation by quickly setting up the disciplines. By doing
so, you've started a whole new life process.
Here is the greatest value of
discipline: self-worth, also known as self-esteem. Many people
who are teaching self-esteem these days don't connect it to
discipline. But once we sense the least lack of discipline
within ourselves, it starts to erode our psyche. One of the
greatest temptations is to just ease up a little bit. Instead of
doing your best, you allow yourself to do just a little less
than your best. Sure enough, you've started in the slightest way
to decrease your sense of self-worth.
There is a problem with even a
little bit of neglect. Neglect starts as an infection. If you
don't take care of it, it becomes a disease. And one neglect
leads to another. Worst of all, when neglect starts, it
diminishes our self-worth.
Once this has happened, how can
you regain your self-respect? All you have to do is act now!
Start with the smallest discipline that corresponds to your own
philosophy. Make the commitment: "I will discipline myself to
achieve my goals so that in the years ahead I can celebrate my
successes."
To Your Success,
Jim
Rohn
This
article was submitted by Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business
Philosopher. To subscribe to the Free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine go
to
www.jimrohn.com
Copyright (c) Jim Rohn
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