Discipline May 29 2010
I’ve just finished reading Cesar’s Way, a book written by The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan. It’s a fantastic read if you have a dog, and has really helped me better understand our gorgeous pet Dalmatian Rocky. Some of the insights though are more profound than just how they relate to our canine friends. In particular, Cesar’s take on discipline I found to be very interesting:
To me discipline is a word that helps me to stay on target, to reach my goals and dreams. It’s a word that allows me to stay balanced, to be a respectful human being, an honest human being, someone who wants the best for himself and for everything around him - from trees, to animals to human beings.
It’s easy to see how being disciplined can help to set rules and boundaries for someone else - whether it’s for a child, an apprentice, or a pet. However, self-discipline is just as important for us to be able to achieve our own goals, whether they are personal, or as part of a broader team or group effort. Often self-discipline is harder than being disciplined on someone else’s behalf. When working with someone else, we might find that they are the motivation we need to stay disciplined, but without that motivation, it’s easier to slack off and convince ourselves that we don’t need to be so hard on ourselves. It basically comes down to responsibility - and being responsible for more than just yourself is great inspiration, and a great motivator to stay on track. With a baby on the way, and an incredible wife (as well as a pet puppy dog in need of leadership!), I feel like I’ve never been more inspired and disciplined, so that our goals and dreams as a family can be realised.