When looking up the word “discipline” in the dictionary, I found the definition to be: “The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience” (google dictionary). I quickly realized that “using punishment to correct disobedience”, means that the discipline is external (coming from the outside). After understanding this, it became clear that AOE (academy of enrichment) focuses on “self-discipline”. Self-discipline is when the “practice of training to obey a set of rules”, must come internally (from the individual’s self) and not externally. External discipline only lasts and works when the student is under the supervision of the disciplinarian. Once the student is alone, which power is there to guarantee the honoring of the discipline?! Internal and self-discipline teaches student responsibility for his/her actions and behavior. The student becomes the disciplinarian of his/her growth process. Once the student becomes the disciplinarian, then there are no limits to what the student can achieve! No matter where the student is, the discipline follows as a way of life. The key to internal discipline is to accept something small and “absolutely doable” upon ourselves. “Absolutely doable” means- practicing an easy task on a consistent basis. So easy in fact, that there is no excuse, not to perform the task. Examples of the aforementioned are: Each morning execute one or more of the following- 30 seconds of stretching, 2 push-ups, 5 sit-ups, or 30 seconds of focused breathing. The idea is that doing these easy tasks on a daily basis makes them a part of your daily routine and elevates your stamina to a new level. The secret is that, when doing 2 pushups, most people will laugh and exclaim, “I can definitely do more than 2!”. In addition, after every week or two, the student can add another “absolutely doable” task- another repetition of an existing task or a new task, or both. After implementing new “disciplines” into your lifestyle, these activities become as easy as; walking to your car or brushing your teeth (things that we all have the stamina for and don’t even think about). Clients of mine have asked me, “What if I don’t have the motivation to do the task?”
My answer to them is that “motivation” comes and goes and cannot be relied upon. But as your own disciplinarian, you must make sure that you complete the task, for the sake of “discipline” and not for the sake of “motivation”. If for some reason, the person misses a day or is ill, he/she should just continue the next day, from where they left off. We don’t beat ourselves up for messing up and “use punishment to correct disobedience”. We focus on what we can learn and apply the lesson for our future.
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