Discipline Begets Discipline

This is a statement I heard the other day that has really stuck with me. It’s also a concept I’ve thought about for quite a while but didn’t have the words to put it so succinctly. “Discipline begets discipline”. What this basically means is that discipline in one area of your life leads to discipline in other areas. It’s a spill over effect.  A little bit of discipline in one area of your life will spill over into other areas too. I’ve found this to be so true. For example, I’ve been trying to reduce my coffee intake lately, and only have caffeine on weekends. I find that if I am successful and can say “no” to coffee it has a ripple effect and I’m able to say no to other things too, like video games or TV, etc. which frees me up to spend time doing more important and worthwhile things. I am more successful in other areas. A little bit of discipline can go a long way and have lots of positive effects on your life. Give it a try and you’ll see what I mean.

Addiction is the opposite of discipline because it’s the loss of control. It’s the inability to say ‘no’. Sometimes it’s helpful to take stock of how many things I’m addicted to. How many things can’t I say no to. And if discipline begets discipline, what about addiction? Perhaps the opposite is true too: addiction begets addiction. Now that’s a scary thought.

I realize that me trying something relatively simple like not drinking coffee isn’t an isolated incident. There’s something larger at stake. It’s about control. It’s about drive. If I’m unable to discipline myself in one thing watch out, because it’s likely I’ll be unable in others as well. But a little bit of discipline can go a long way. Personally, I’d rather have an overflow of control rather than a lack of it.

Here’s to fewer cups of coffee!