The Write Stuff

I was talking with my coworkers today and one commented on how disciplined I am. Wow! That comment put me on Cloud Nine! Of all the compliments she could have paid me, that is the one I have been craving.

I have made progress this year on being more disciplined. It felt so good to have someone other than my wife recognize it. Not that my wife doesn’t count or anything like that. I value her opinion. It is just really nice to hear someone out of the blue make that observation. I spent the rest of the day basking in a warm glow.

Later in the day, my team and I were having a discussion on the book Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman. I highly recommend this book, by the way and a full review is forthcoming. Anyway, we were discussing how to help people realize their maximum potential. I contemplated this question in context with the earlier remark. What has made me more successful than I have ever been at personal discipline?

I concluded this blog has a lot to do with it. For the past eight weeks I have been turning inward and writing about discipline, what it means, how to get it and keep it. I believe this constant examination has helped me form the new habits of which I am beginning to reap the rewards. I have had 36 exercise sessions since January 1. I have continued running, making ten runs in that time (it is cold here and I wimp out below 25 degress). Earlier this week I ran 5K without stopping for the first time! Last summer when I started running, I would never have believed I could have made it one mile, much less 3.2! I have lost ten pounds. I have read 8 books. I have written twenty-eight short essays. I’m sleeping better than I have in years. No wonder I feel great!

I have you, dear reader, to thank. The act of writing requires thought and examination. I firmly believe it is that thought and examination that has resulted in the success I am enjoying. Why? When one thinks about something, the mind starts subconsciously working on the problem, stiffening resolve and finding ways to come up with solutions.

Sunday, I was given a mini candy bar. I had it in my hand. I could have eaten it and it wouldn’t have bothered me. One wouldn’t have hurt my diet. I put it back in the bag when no one was looking. I didn’t need it and I didn’t want it. Two months ago I would have taken a couple more from the bag instead.

I am convinced more than ever to make significant improvement on a goal, problem or challenge, writing is key. It doesn’t have to be public, although it helps. Even though I don’t if anyone will read what I am writing, it pushes me to do better because someone just might call me out on it. That little bit of knowledge of someone else is watching is just enough to spur me to action on most of my goals.

I listed a bunch of successes above. How about the failures? I haven’t even come close to the woodturning project goals. I have only made one. I didn’t even complete everything I needed to do, either. I haven’t written a word about it in a long time. That is going to change. That will be the test. If I write about it, I bet it changes. That which gets measured, improves. Right?

So, here is today’s challenge. Take one of your goals. Grab a pen and a journal. Write about it. Describe it. List the difficulties you are having in hitting it. Discuss possible solutions. Thoroughly examine this new habit you desire in writing. No one has to read it but you.

I am curious as to your experience. Does it help you like it has helped me? Does writing help you organize your thoughts and amplify your actions? Please share in the comments. I would love to hear what you think. Good luck and good writing!