Freedom from Discipline

dis·ci·pline (dĭs'e-plĭn) -
Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.

Self-discipline comes from our own self-enlightened interest, and what it does is form habits. In the corporate coaching world, it takes several months for coachees to drop unproductive habits, and to form new, useful habits. But before we even get that far, a more fundamental issue needs to be resolved - are we climbing the right mountain? In the quest for something we think can bring us joy and fulfilment, are we doing something that simply isn't aligned our higher purpose? Perhaps some of us are like the decathlete, a great all-rounder, but believing we need to pursue the path of another to achieve fulfilment and satisfaction.

When discipline seems like a joyless force in our lives, we need to consider if the actual faults of the discipline and routines are in our own self-interest. If eating healthily is good for us, as is exercise, we might need to consider if our resistance to it is because we haven't imagined an exciting future where we are living a quality life in fit, healthy bodies. This could well be the cause of our reluctance to conform to the discipline needed to shape great, healthy bodies - we haven't created exciting enough futures.

A climber knows that all the hard work will pay off in a gloriously executed climb. A climber does not seek danger or suffering, but accepts this is the price to pay for the moments of ecstatic self-actualisation upon completing the climb, or sharing these moments with like-spirited individuals. A climber doesn't have a 'death wish' but a 'life wish' - a wish to discover the deepest potential in his capabilities. In that sense, each climber has a higher purpose which transcends the mundaneness of daily living. We have our own destinies to design, and our own mountains to climb. Before the discipline of doing things, we need to be disciplined to find our what our destiny will be or should be. Freedom follows.

Freedom from discipline is the best discipline to cultivate, because our passion makes even the task like a pre-dawn run seem desirable, or at worst, a practical habit we actually like somewhat, we get meaningful results. What we can learn and should apply are:

- A habit of asking if what we do is aligned with our higher goals in life
- A habit of seeking clarity in why we are doing what we are doing
- A habit of doing what we need to do to get to where we want to go

Acquiring right habits is an easy discipline - if you can find alignment with higher goals first.