Discipline is the Answer

It’s the beginning of a new year, and everywhere we turn, we’re bombarded with the “New Year, New You” messaging. People have or are setting resolutions to lose weight, transform their lives, commit to the gym, run a marathon, fix their finances, and the list goes on, but the real question is, how many will hold on to these ambitious goals in the coming weeks, next month, or even six months from now?

Every year, countless individuals treat the “New Year” as a monumental event or a catalyst for change. While I find it commendable that they seek improvement, the start of a new year, month, or week shouldn’t be the sole reason.

Let’s face it: most people with “New Year’s Resolutions” will falter. They lose motivation or fall off the path and get discouraged because they do not see changes fast enough, yet they fail to recognize that change is a marathon and never a sprint. True and lasting change is not about dates on a calendar. It’s about a steadfast commitment to a new way of living.

The only way to enact lasting change is through unwavering discipline and consistent daily execution.

Discipline, in its purest form, is the ability to behave and work in a controlled manner, adhering to a specific set of rules or standards. It’s about making choices that align with your future, not your present. Many people take on a ‘victim’ mindset and accept things “happen to them” vs. taking ownership of every aspect of their life and choose a ‘champions’ mindset to hold themselves and everyone around them to a higher standard.