"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self." -- Aristotle
In A Resilient Life, Gordon MacDonald describes commitment to self-discipline, or "intentional suffering" as he calls it, as one of the marks of a resilient person. It's what separates those who desire change from those who change. Here are some suggestions on how you can become more self-disciplined:
- Prayerfully, identify one significant goal that has been elusive, perhaps something you have procrastinated doing and write it down along with why it is important to you that it be accomplished.
- Set a realistic deadline and a reasonable reward for completing the goal.
- Make a list of the things that need to be done to accomplish that goal (micro tasks) and schedule for each task.
- Next to each task, identify anything you might need from others to complete it.
- List all the possible things that might conspire to keep you from accomplishing the goal and predetermine your responses to those obstacles before you encounter them.
- Ask a friend to check up with you as you work on your goal.
- Commit your goal to Christ asking Him to give you wisdom, energy and discernment as you pursue a more resilient life.
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