For all our holiday intentions, December can be stressful: Less a magical sleigh ride and more a run-away train hurtling towards the end of another year. And what a year! Every time we found our bearings, things changed again. 

The strain of another pandemic year, with its unique set of challenges, is evident in various aspects of our lives. One of the most significant concerns I encounter in my life coaching practice is the challenge of discipline. It's not about imposing strict rules but about cultivating a productive and dynamic discipline that brings balance and helps us reach our full potential. No matter how brilliant, talented, or creative we are, our efforts may not yield the desired results without discipline. Embracing this discipline can lead to a profound sense of personal empowerment, empowering us to overcome any challenge that comes our way.

These days, there are numerous obstacles to maintaining discipline. Disruption wreaks havoc with self-discipline, whether it's the perils of all-day pajamas, homeschooling, or handling short-fused customers. Over-work, not enough work, isolation, and uncertainty all play into the hands of our inner saboteur. This part of our personality deliberately disrupts, delays, and destroys our progress, whispering in our ears: "The world's a mess, so why bother?" "Who cares?" "What does it matter?" The saboteur can be seductive and damaging by posing questions that speak to our real fears, but only if we listen. Self-discipline is not just a tool, it's our weapon against this saboteur, inspiring us to take control of our lives.

So, how best can we strengthen our self-discipline and silence our saboteur? 

We all know where our biggest discipline challenges lie. We understand the significance of setting goals, joining programs, finding accountability partners, and ensuring we have time for ourselves. However, these strategies can only be effective if we start by making a sacred bond with our word: This means being disciplined about what we say and following through with our commitments. This principle applies to o" r in "reactions with others and how we communicate with ourselves. By honoring our promises, we lay a solid foundation of self-trust, boosting our confidence and "I'll-assurance. 

Keep your “don't” to yourself: If you promise, "I'll exercise tomorrow," and don't, the saboteur will jump all over it with "I'm endless disparaging inner dialogue." Ironically, saying, "I'm not going to exercise at the moment," is healthier because the truth is that the guilt and shame levels the saboteur exploits when we don't keep our word. 

Keep your word with others: People know they can trust where the "y "is with you. It's bet you're disciplined enough to say "no" to something you know you're not going to do than not to deliver because when you feel bad for letting others down, the saboteur takes over.    

Making our world a sacred bond strengthens our commitment to discipline and empowers us. The positive effects are like the 'Broken Windows Theory' in reverse: This theory suggests that visible signs of disorder and neglect, such as broken windows, can lead to further crime and antisocial behavior. In our case, every small act of self-discipline builds on itself and begins to strengthen the whole, leading to a more disciplined and productive life.

Self-discipline around sleep, diet and exercise helps mentally because we feel better. Feeling mentally and physically strong, we are more able to create healthy boundaries and set priorities making us feel more in control and less at the mercy of events. Having the physical and emotional strength required to declutter our environments, creates a sense of increased calm and flow. This sense of control over our well-being can significantly enhance our overall quality of life, leading to a more hopeful and optimistic existence. 

The most crucial element is having the discipline to carve out even a modest amount of time to care for our creative spirit. However, it manifests. If we can be additional disciplines enough to bring it to completion or put it into practice, it's the icing on the cake. As productive, well-balanced, creative people being our very best selves and keeping our word, we can spread more joy, connection, and love everywhere we go – which is the best gift we can give to ourselves and those around us this holiday season.