I love the principle of discipline and learning how to be more disciplined in my life and growth areas which includes my fitness, business, personal development, etc. Jocko Willink, leadership author and former Navy Seal says, “Discipline equals freedom.” Freedom is on the other side of discipline and in many ways, it’s the ultimate self-care. Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Health - This is sort of obvious but if we are disciplined with our diet, exercise and sleep, we are caring for our body, and it will perform optimally.
  2. Personal Growth - This is a favorite for me. Self-care includes personal growth. When we are growing, we are healthy because I believe everyone was created to grow and contribute more with their life.
  3. Embrace the Challenge - Discipline is not easy and that’s why so few people are disciplined across all areas of their lives. There is always resistance and challenges with being disciplined, but can you be disciplined in spite of your circumstances? It’s a constant battle for the growth-oriented person and that competition with oneself is in my view, a form of self-care.

One of the ways I have learned to be more disciplined in my life is to use a habit tracker app. I can preload it with the daily disciplines or habits I know I need to complete each day to achieve victory for my life across all areas. It’s a helpful reminder to stay on track and not be distracted.

What are your thoughts on self-discipline as the ultimate form of self-care?