Discipline is a constant awareness of the need for action paired with a conscious act to implement that action. If our awareness and our implementations occur at the same time, then we begin a valued sequence of disciplined activity.
But if considerable time passes between the moment of awareness and the time of our implementation, that is called procrastination, putting off until tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is almost the exact opposite of discipline.
The voice within us says, “Get it done.” Discipline then says, “Do it now, to the best of your ability.” Heed this voice always, and the habit will become instinctive.
Procrastination says, “Later. Tomorrow. Whenever I get a chance.” It also says, “Do what is necessary to get by or to impress others. Do what you can, but not what you must.”
In every circumstance we face, we are constantly presented with these two choices: do it now or do it later, discipline or procrastination. Bearing the fruit of achievement and contentment (discipline) or living with the bare branches of mediocrity (procrastination).
The rewards of a disciplined life are great, but they’re often delayed until some time in the future. The rewards for a lack of discipline, on the other hand, are immediate. But they are minor in comparison to the immeasurable rewards of consistent self-discipline. An immediate reward for lack of discipline is a fun day at the beach. A future reward of discipline is owning the beach. Unfortunately, most of us would choose today’s pleasure over tomorrow’s fortune.
So how can you get rid of the easy distractions? How can you keep your mind on what you’re trying to do? How can you keep an attitude of doing it all and doing it now? How can you make the choice of discipline over procrastination? How can you stay focused on your ambitions? How can you avoid conversations at the water cooler?
You can keep your focus on your work. You can get it done today instead of tomorrow. You can do your socializing when your work is done. You’ve got to really work on your consistent self-discipline on a daily basis. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself distracted. Distracted by negative thoughts. Distracted by negative people. Distracted by water-cooler chatter. And pretty soon, depending on the type of people you associate with, distracted by self-doubt. Never underestimate the power of influence and associations. And never underestimate the power of your own consistent self-discipline.
* Source: Leading an Inspired Life by Jim Rohn