“Great leaders always have self-discipline – without exception.”
John C. Maxwell
Self-discipline is a crucial element in the journey of personal growth. It’s about making the choice to do something difficult now, knowing that it will lead to something good later. Sure, that’s easy to understand, but it’s still hard to do. Focusing on goals is excellent, but why does today matter if the goal is a long way off? It’s not the goal that matters; it’s the process by which you achieve the goal, the refining nature of repeated hard choices, which is the crucible in which excellent people refine and improve themselves.
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28 ESV This powerful analogy vividly illustrates the vulnerability that comes with a lack of self-discipline. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of self-control in our lives. In ancient times, the walls around the city were for more than just defense; they were there to protect trade, keep unsavory individuals out, and provide control for immigration. If you aren’t making the hard choices daily, you are inviting in attacks, choosing to let unsavory characters influence you, and allowing the world to happen to you.
Self-discipline is the daily choice to either be better or to accept mediocrity. Which choice will you make today?
