Day 4 – Discipline Over Feelings

“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” – Marcus Aureliu

A self-destructive part of who we are gets tied up in feelings.  Feelings are a very powerful tool that can help you or hurt you.  We have heard and also follow the words, “To Follow Your Heart”.  In the right situation, it can be a very powerful driver.   It is also one of the greatest obstacles to self-motivation.  It is a belief that you must “Feel like it” before you act.  In truth, discipline begins when you act despite your feelings. 

By beginning in spite of your feelings, you start to develop the discipline needed to work through anything because you know the value of pushing forward regardless of how you feel.  Recognize the feeling blockers.  Those words that stifle your discipline: “I’ll do it later”, “If I fail, people will judge me”, “I am not good enough”, “No one will see if I take some time off”.  These feelings disguise themselves as logic, but they are only temporary moods. If you obey them, you strengthen avoidance instead of action.  Those words that help you strive towards self-motivation and self-discipline.  “If not me, then who?”, “It needs to get done, and I am the right person.”, “I need to do this, because it is right.”, “The end is right around the corner.”, or “When finished, this will be great!”. 

​Stop thinking about the cost, think about the reward!