Author: Jim Bouchard
Jim is now a regular at ‘Change Your Thoughts’, if you haven’t already visited his site I would urge you to have a look. Jim is an author, businessman, personal development trainer, black belt Karate instructor, football coach….the list goes on. He is the creator of the Dynamic Components of Personal Power program. Visit Jim’s site at www.jimbouchard.org for more information on his self development program. Popularity: 12% [?]
I’m with about 100 or so martial artists waiting to hear the wisdom of the great Japanese Sword Master: Yamazaki. Master Yamazaki’s family taught the art of the Samurai Sword to generations of Japan’s Imperial Family.
In broken English with the help of a translator, Yamazaki is about to reveal the ultimate secret of mastery. This secret, he tells us, applies to the sword and to life.
“Three rules…
“First rule: Basic practice.”
OK, that makes sense.
“Second rule: Basic practice.”
Third rule?
“MORE BASIC PRACTICE!
“Like Nike…JUST DO IT!”
Power for success in personal and professional life is generated through motivation and discipline over time. These are the 3 components of what I call the “Kung Fu Triangle.” For today’s purposes, Kung Fu means mastery. To achieve mastery in any occupation, you must find or develop motivation to set your heart and mind to action. You must develop discipline: the habit of doing the work necessary to achieve your goals and…
…you’ve got to take your time! Basic skill can be developed in a short time. Mastery takes as long as it takes.
If you press me for THE most essential component in the development of power, I’m going to say “discipline.” Motivation is usually very strong at the beginning of any endeavor. Time is simply a matter of perseverance. The component that takes over when motivation occasionally wanes and sees us through long periods of perseverance is “discipline.”
How to develop disipline
So how do you develop discipline? Yamazaki gives us the answer: PRACTICE! Simple, not always easy.
Discipline can literally be practiced with every waking moment of every day. Simply get up and get about your business. Specific goals can help you stay focused and on task; that helps develop discipline. However, discipline is the development of mindfully staying on task that transcends the obvious and sometimes robotic checking off the task list.
Practice discipline by mindfully assessing what needs to be done before you set yourself to action. Appreciate the work in front of you for the part it will play in your plans for success. Enjoy the task at hand for what it is: a chance to express yourself fully and in the moment. Enjoying the moment makes a menial task meaningful and a difficult task bearable.
The art of the Japanese sword, like all martial arts, is deceptively simple. If you take it down to its essential elements, the art of the sword is the technique of developing and expressing power in the moment of a single cut. Any battle is series of single cuts. Mastery of the art is available only to those who are willing to dedicate themselves fully to the practice of the simple elements that generate this power. You can learn the basic mechanics of a cut in just a few moments. It takes a lifetime of practice to bridge the span between that knowledge and the true skill of master.
Applying to your business and personal life
Can you apply this philosophy in business and personal life as well?
Nearly everything you do provides an opportunity to develop and practice the habit of discipline. Practice discipline in work and at play. Participate in activities that challenge you to apply discipline. I’m a little biased, but martial arts provide a perfect opportunity to practice discipline at any age! If that’s not your bag, take a class, find a hobby, develop your job skills, develop your relationships at home and in your community, volunteer, do anything that will challenge your mind, body and spirit and provide the opportunity for you to practice. That’s how you develop the habit of discipline. Find something that needs doing and just do it!
Discipline is the key to personal freedom, and freedom is the ultimate expression of personal power.
For a complete course in the art of discipline, read Jim’s book Dynamic Components of Personal Power. Click here for more information and to book Jim for your next event!
Watch for Jim’s coming book: The Dying Art of Discipline, available now as a seminar.
About the author
Jim is now a regular at ‘Change Your Thoughts’, if you haven’t already visited his site I would urge you to have a look. Jim is an author, businessman, personal development trainer, black belt Karate instructor, football coach….the list goes on. He is the creator of the Dynamic Components of Personal Power program. Visit Jim’s site at www.jimbouchard.org for more information on his self development program.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
People don’t wanna hear that achieving their goals and creating forever results is largely about discipline; they want quick, easy, painless and convenient.
Imagine having to actually work for something… that might take some self control, mental and emotional strength and discipline.
And personal growth.
“Err… what’s option B?”
I even think it goes past discipline Craig. Discipline to me is a symptom not the cause of brilliant self-development. As a coach I have to understand a clients core values because exacting long term change without doing so is very difficult. As I often say to clients “What is the thing that will have you bouncing out of bed at 5.00am in the morning to scrape ice of your windshield?” It’s lost it’s effectiveness somewhat now I have moved to Florida, but you know what I mean.
Uncovering that motivation by understanding our own values is key. Once you have done that of course you need the discipline to put it all into place, but it makes it so much easier when you know deep down at a basic level why you are doing something.
Thanks to both of you for the insightful comments.
In my book, I’ve reduced what I found to be the essential components of developing personal power. When I talk about personal power, this means the capacity and ability to do the work necessary to achieve our goals and create our personal and professional success.
The development phase is embodied in what I call “The Kung Fu Triangle.” Translated from Chinese, “Kung Fu” literally means achievement through great effort and speaks to the results of that effort: mastery. To translate this idea fully in Western terms, my Kung Fu Triangle is constructed of the components of “motivation” and “discipline” over “time.”
The most recent studies into achievement reveal what the ancient masters knew. Success is more a product of consistently applied effort than it is of innate gifts or intelligence. Furthermore, with work intelligence can be improved and there are several types of intelligence. Everyone is not born with equal gifts, but most are born with the capacity for self-improvement.
Tim, I agree. Core values must be identified not only to provide strong internal motivation, but also to make sure that as one develops personal power, it is applied toward one’s benefit and the benefit of others. Motivation, however, no matter how grounded in personal values can wane at times. It’s very important to develop a habit of sustaining that motivation and of doing the work necessary even when motivation is in an ebb phase of life’s cycles.
Motivation and discipline must be maintained over “time.” Craig, you’re also right in that many people want instant gratification. I don’t necessarily think that it’s bad to have certain needs and desires fulfilled quickly, but ultimately learning to sustain our efforts over time through life’s cycles is the key to sustaining true success and personal satisfaction. The most successful people find their greatest satisfaction in never-ending change through self-improvement; I don’t think that’s an irony!
Thank you both! You’ve instigated a lot of thought for me this morning and that’s a wonderful gift. I appreciate your thoughts and your comments!
Best thoughts,
Jim
Great post! Thanks so much for the wisdom….
Good Write up!
Well written, enjoying your blog and Ill check back to see any of your updates. You know I tend to disagree with a lot of debate about all of this as well.
What you said made sense.
Thanks
Martial
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Good post. You make some great points that most people do not fully understand.
“Nearly everything you do provides an opportunity to develop and practice the habit of discipline. Practice discipline in work and at play. Participate in activities that challenge you to apply discipline. I’m a little biased, but martial arts provide a perfect opportunity to practice discipline at any age! If that’s not your bag, take a class, find a hobby, develop your job skills, develop your relationships at home and in your community, volunteer, do anything that will challenge your mind, body and spirit and provide the opportunity for you to practice. That’s how you develop the habit of discipline. Find something that needs doing and just do it!”
I like how you explained that. Very helpful. Thanks.
Thanks for all the kind words and comments!
Too many people are afraid of discipline. What do they fear? I prefer to fear boredom, mediocrity and complacency.
“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” Henry David Thoreau
Best thoughts!
Jim
i agree with Mr. Harper. People expected some big secret: meaning a shortcut to being great. What they dont want to hear is that there is no shortcut; that is all hard work and disciplin, determination.
Great post.
CHeers!
Maria