One major challenge I face everyday is to focus on what is relevant. In a fast-paced environment, everything seems urgent and important.
What drives you to seek medical help are the symptoms of Ill health. However, these are just indicative of underlying issues. These are what a medical expert seeks to establish. They will dig deeper, run tests to establish the foundation the symptoms are built on.
It occured to me that my out-of-focus state might be a symptom of something else.
We were having a conversation with my teenagers (19 and 17) this week about how 2024 has been so far. I let them know how frustrated I feel. I just can’t get consistent traction on what I set out to do! Somewhat like I am on a muddy stretch with my wheels spinning out of control.
Looking back, I now realise the lack of focus was indicative of my indiscipline to manage my time. This indiscipline crept up on me to the point I nearly feel incapacitated. I have let go of caring for my time! My sleeping and waking schedule has been all over the map. I am consistently tired. At least twice I day, I’ll mention to someone how sleepy I feel!
Myth – Image is everything
Reality – Character is everlasting
And it is discipline that builds character! I can try to go down the fake-it-till-you-make-it route, but how sustainable can that be? Over the last five months, I have lived a lie to myself by trying to portray that all is well. However, that image has been a myth. And it is a bitter pill to swallow!
The reality is that developing my discipline may seem tough now, but it has long-term benefits. Discipline is what separates a wise person from a foolish one. It is the difference between making a difference or just existing. Discipline first refines me then defines me.
By not respecting the cadence of time, I have relegated myself to the realms of foolishnes. To overcome this, I must go back to basic pillars that are Why, How and What.
1. WHY – Discipline is not about me or my ego. It is bigger than me. I must overcome slothfulness and complacency to always connect with my reason for being.
2. HOW – Set and ruthlessly follow the strategy and goals I have have set before me. When in doubt, refer to my ‘Why’ and ask myself: “What is at stake if I don’t get these done?”
3. WHAT – Daily practice and action that drives my growth, development and influence.
The order matters. The problem is that indiscipline reverses the order! I find that pursuing activity has overshadowed my reason, my why. I therefore find myself feeling lost, confused, tired and unmotivated.
Writing this article is a big win in itself. I woke up a 5:00am on a Saturday. My body wanted to sleep in. But I have chosen the higher path; Mind over body. I draw my inspiration from someone I would love to meet one day, Eliud Kipchoge…
After Eliud broke the World Marathon Record on 16th September 2018 in the Berlin Marathon, he said: “I lack the words to describe how I feel. It was really hard during the last 17 km but I was prepared to run my own race. I had to focus on the work I had put in in Kenya and that is what helped me. It was my aim to smash the world record and felt confident before the race. I have now run 2:04, 2:03 and now 2:01. Who knows what the future will bring. I am really grateful to my coaching team, my management, and the organization. I’ll definitely return to Berlin. Berlin for me is eternal.”
Just one year later in Vienna, Austria on 12 October 2019, Kipchoge accomplished the unthinkable… He became the first human to run the marathon in under 2 hours!
Eliud says that his greatest lesson from running is dedication and patience. To raise to the next level, I must remain dedicated to discipline and patient with the process. I must be patiently present.
Q: How will you be patiently present in your discipline? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash
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