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 To
receive more information about Jim Rohn and/or to purchase his
best-selling audios and books go to http://www.jimrohn.com. Copyright (c) 1999 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved
worldwide. |