When you make the decision to choose discipline, it is exhilarating. You will be filled with excitement, fear, joy, and motivation. It is easy to get wrapped up in the emotion of the decision, and it is important to celebrate the moment. After you do your happy dance, it is time to come up with a plan and get to it.
1. Find Your “Why”
The journey is not going to be easy. There will be times when you will question if you made the right choice. You will think that there is no way you will get through it. You will start finding ways to convince yourself that Netflix and eating Ben and Jerry’s out of the carton is a form of discipline.
Your “why” will save you.
Why did you start this journey? What made you realize that choosing discipline was the only option for you? For myself, it was a friend of mine told me that if I kept going down the path of destructions, I was going to die before I could finish God’s plan for me. My choices were taking time off of my life that God intended me to serve him.
Every time I start to doubt, questions, or hurt, I remember my “why.” I remind myself that God has a plan for me and I need to be obedient to him.
Finding and remembering your “why” is crucial when working towards a life of discipline.
2. Be Honest About Your Fears and Pray
Changing your life is scary. If you are not worried, afraid, or concerned, then you probably haven’t considered the magnitude of your decision. Fear is only a problem when you do not surrender it to Jesus. Isaiah 41:10 is a great reminder of this.
Identify your fears, possible roadblocks, and past mistakes. Then give it to God. Pray over each of them. Pray each time you begin to feel them creeping into your mind.
I like to tell people to get on your knees and pray until you feel his peace. If you start to lose sight of everything, you need to get back on your knees. A journey of discipline can only be successful when partnered with a journey of prayer.
3. Set Short and Long-Term Goals
You need to have a plan of action. Walking down a path of discipline without direction is setting yourself up for failure.
Set goals that are both reasonable and challenging. Set goals that can be met in a week and some that will take years. Reach out to other people to ensure your goals are obtainable and known.
Remember that goals can be modified if necessary. Meanwhile, focus on coming up with your mission and your vision for success.
4. Find an Accountability Partner
You may be strong enough to do this alone, but it is much easier when you have a person on your side to encourage, challenge, and push you along your journey. Click here to see my accountability partner in action.
I recommend finding someone who is further along in their journey than you. You want them to be able to help you not tempt you.
This person should be a good balance of encouraging and firm. You do not want someone who will coddle you when you fall. You also don’t want someone who will be so tough on you that you want to quit or lie about your mistakes.
My accountability partner was a huge part of the reason that I was successful, and it should be a huge part of your journey as well.
5. Focus on Positivity and Grace
You will have relapses, set backs, frustrations, and struggles. Thank God there is grace for that. As you begin, focus on the wins and not the losses. Celebrate the small stuff. I remember the day I was able to do a real plank over a modified plank. I remember, because we celebrated.
When you do have a bad day, don’t hate yourself for it. Allow yourself to feel the consequences, then forgive yourself and do better tomorrow. Don’t throw away a whole day because of one mistake. Love yourself just as God loves us. Extend yourself grace and continue to move forward in your path to discipline.
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