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Discipline Shouldn't Be Difficult...

Saturday, 17 May 2014 00:10

By Craig Howie and Will Murray (usatriathlon.org)

“The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.” — Richard Bach
 
If you look up the word discipline in Webster’s Dictionary, the first definition is given as one word: punishment. This one-word definition is followed by the following definition: “A rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity.”
 
These definitions shed light on how we have been conditioned to think about discipline. To put it simply, ...

we need to follow the rules and if we don’t, we should be punished. Now take it a step further and think about all of the classic lists of rules we have been exposed to throughout our lives. Ninety-nine percent of these rules contain words such as “do not, stay away, refrain from, not tolerated, keep out,” among others. No wonder discipline seems so hard!
 
We can all agree that discipline is a vital trait for triathletes. We establish certain goals and commit to a series of actions that will help us achieve these goals, but if we can’t stay disciplined, then veering off the road map is inevitable. Contrary to Webster’s definition, however, self-discipline does not have to be hard, challenging or torturous. We tend to think of discipline as what we are not allowed to do. But, how different would it be if we could think of it as what we are allowed to do? To put it another way, what if we looked at discipline as being in control of our own actions instead of being governed by imposed rules or regulations?  READ MORE