Self-Discipline

This morning, I started reading a book on self discipline. Why? Because I suck at it.

Don’t get me wrong. I get a lot done and quickly. I work better under pressure, after mulling thoughts and ideas for days. And then, wham, I sit down and plow through a week’s worth of work in a day. And somehow, it all comes together beautifully. People are astounded that I churned out so much work in such a short amount of time. 

Well, It wasn’t as impressive as it seemed. I had every detail of that project outlined and designed in my head before I sat down to work on it. 

Here’s where I need to improve.

That personality trait described above serves me quite well in business. It serves me well unless I’m working with a highly structured individual who needs, well, structure. Then, I drive that person nuts.

In my personal life, that trait kills me.

I am impulsive, obsessive, and dismissive. But I don’t mean to be. Really.

When I see that new color in BruMate coffee cups, I buy it. Because who doesn’t need another insulated coffee cup or water bottle? And I say yes to everything, especially when I’m told it can’t be done. Once you tell me something is impossible, I will pick away at it until it becomes possible. That’s when it becomes an obsession.

I become obsessed with the project I’m working on. It’s all I can think about because I’m creating the whole project within my mind so I can then purge it to production. 

And I can seem dismissive when I’m in obsession mode. It’s all I can think about. Truly. I can put it on simmer in the background of my mind, but it’s there. Frank will often ask me what I’m thinking about so intensely. I talk to myself with my hands. I shake my head when I’m arguing with myself and telling myself I’m wrong. I will suddenly say Yes! Out of nowhere when I piece together the answer. Frank laughs at me.

Why can’t I put this much obsession and energy into my personal projects? I want to be a great writer. I want to be an award-winning photographer. I want to read a book a week like I did in years past or take classes to continue learning. 

But I don’t obsess about writing and photography. I don’t wake up early to read and put myself to sleep at night by reading. 

I keep buying insulated coffee cups. I should show you my collection. I gave one to the UPS driver recently because she was thirsty. She offered to return it on her next delivery. I told her to keep it because she’d be delivering a new one in the next week. She laughed. “I do visit you a lot,” she smiled. And she does. 

Man! If I could obsess about my personal goals as much as I do about my professional goals, I’d be a published author and I’d probably win that photography award. 

So, wish me luck on this self discipline journey. The first step is actually reading the book.

Have a great day, everyone.

#SelfDiscipline #Obsession #PersonalGoals #Photography #Writing #CreativeWriting