Pump It Up! Live Elated, Not Deflated Through Disappointing Daysنموونە

Have a 'stern' word with yourself

Self-discipline is a key factor in ensuring you thrive rather than survive as you face disappointment, confusion, and despair in your slower seasons of life. One of the worst things about my dinghy days was having no idea when things would turn around and when God would reveal what he wanted me to do next. The longer time went on, the more unlikely it seemed that change would ever come.

Feeling a lack of purpose and a lot of frustration can be a perfect recipe for any of us to become full of self-pity and lacking in self-discipline. But it’s something I believe I mastered fairly well in my dinghy, and it made a really positive difference. ‘Seas’ the day is what I say! This is the day the Lord has made, and whether that be duller dinghy days or a more exciting cruising season, we need to make the most out of our lives.

Self-discipline is about working hard, displaying self-control, and managing yourself well. It’s the ability to control your feelings and overcome your areas of weakness.

A book called ‘Atomic Habits’ really helped me as it’s packed full of wisdom and practical tips, including the use of visual charts/habit trackers for motivation. These tips helped me to have a positive focus and small goals to accomplish throughout my dinghy days.

I wrote out a daily list of jobs to complete and had the satisfaction of ticking them off. I had health and fitness goals, as these helped my mental health to remain stable. I took a course in sign language, which included several exams, so I created a visual motivation chart for this too. I also thought of small, kind ways to bless others, to help keep the focus off myself.

You have to choose to ’seas’ the day and to refuse to let disappointment stop you from taking risks and developing yourself, even if this is just in small ways. If you are in the throes of dinghy days, I would strongly encourage you to take opportunities, push doors, and get a handle on your self-discipline. There’s a temptation that we acclimatise to the drift, and become incapacitated by it, which can lead to us becoming unwilling to take any risks or push forward. Do you need to have a 'stern' word with yourself? Has your self-discipline deflated? You may well need to pump it up, but it will be well worth the effort.

Reflection

What is one positive thing you could do today to get some self-discipline back in your life?