What do you choose, the pain of discipline or regret?
Mary Rensel 
Are these the only choices, discipline or regret? What is your opinion? We are all distracted, how do we stay disciplined towards what matters?
Discipline or Regret, are these the only choices?
What are your choices, the “pain” of discipline or regret? There is a quote that states:
“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” ― Jim Rohn
What are your thoughts on this? I recently read a few books on the trials and tribulations of consistently writing that brought up the many difficulties of discipline in this distracted world. One book was called 1000 words and another called Bird by Bird. These books share the pain of writers who work alone and need to produce so much writing a day and work through doubt, criticism and lack of publications. They are helpful in that they share the journey of creativity or development. Bird by Bird has hilarious moments from her younger brother starting to work on a bird project the night before it was due and her Dad said "bird by bird”, hence the title and another poignant story of supporting friends during the death of their newborn and saving observations on index cards during these 5 months of the infants life and then writing a meaningful story to memorialize the child and support the parents. The 1000 word book was a “movement” that the writer shared during COVID encouraging writers, published or not published, to write 1000 words a day for 3 months and watch their discipline and skills grow and their doubt shrink. I also attended a writing class at our local library and an author shared the same tips; you are a writer if you write, you do not need to be published, set detailed goals, write 30 minutes for 30 days and stay disciplined. There are persistent themes here, discipline matters to your growth, creativity and skill building yet will be steeped with emotions of pain, doubt and judgement. The books share in detail the human suffering that goes along with discipline and the mind games that may come along for the ride. The messages that you are not good enough, you are not a “writer… Fill in the blank” and you do not have the time for this due to … (again fill in the blank with stories..).
Discipline matters, set goals, strategies and tactics to break them down into bite size pieces and then the most difficult part is to not listen to your mind’s stories of doubt, judgement and jealousy. There were lots of comments on comparison and jealousy and how these derail the discipline. I highly recommend the hilarious story, in Bird by Bird, of Anne Lamott's jealousy of her friend after they published a book, so worth the read. Let’s just say it is completely relatable as she shares the depths of her consuming jealously and asked so many people how to deal with it and in the end realized the friendship needed a re-do and she needed space from this person that was rubbing her success in a “friend’s” face during her time of struggle. Redefining friendship may happen along the way as well. Realizing who you would like to be around was covered as well, forming writing groups or any kind of group of folks with common goals, this is the way to gain support, possible confidence and maybe even new friends.
Back to discipline, it is recommended by Business leaders, writers and so many others. It is not always thrilling, in fact some will say it is painful yet it is helpful for growth, support and impact. I am off to write my weekly tactics to hit my 3 buckets of goals… I do not leave my time to chance. Being intentional is key, not “BUSY”, intentional. Folks say to me I am so busy.. I disagree, I am intentional.
So which pain do you choose, discipline vs regret?
What is one tactic you can take today to move your goals forward?
Who are folks you can ask to join you on this journey?
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Mary
thebrainfresh@gmail.com
PS- My company, Brain Fresh LLC, is turning 6 next month- I would like to give you a gift. What would you prefer? Private YouTube Podcast to your email weekly where you can request neuroscience of work topics? Weekly distraction busting tips? Weekly groups to work through discipline and distractions together? Send your thoughts to me thebrainfresh@gmail.com Thank you for your support and we wish you and your amazing brain all the best.