Self discipline is the mark of a leader. Self discipline is self imposed, meaning you don’t need someone else to tell you what to do. Another definition of Self-discipline is the ability to control yourself and to make yourself work hard or behave in a particular way without needing anyone else to tell you what to do.
Self discipline is taking responsibility for your life knowing that what you do today determines where you end up tomorrow. Taking responsibility for your vision is necessary if you want it to come to pass. Taking responsibility for your health, your relationships, your learning and growth insures that they prosper. John Maxwell said something to the extent of, “Commitment gets you started but discipline keeps you going.” Discipline is your ability to keep showing up even when you would rather not.
It is very important to understand that you will not always feel like showing up. You will not always feel like taking action. You will not always feel like focusing on your vision and commitments which is why self discipline is the ability to do the work necessary in spite of how you feel. The principle of self discipline creates progress, while following your feelings will get you nowhere.
Following your feelings generates excuses to justify the reason why you are not doing the things you really want to do. There is a verse in Jeremiah that addresses excuses and whining but also speaks to what we have the ability to become with self discipline.
Jeremiah 12:5 says,
“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?”