Developing diligence and discipline:
Developing an attitude of diligence and discipline places you in a position of power; a pathway to wealth and success.
Diligence
Diligence according to Webster dictionary means having a devoted and painstaking work pattern to accomplish an undertaking. In other words, it is having a conscientious attitude to duty, always showing up to do your outmost best in your work or responsibility. It is the unrelenting commitment to achieve a goal or set goals such as; exams, projects or financial goals etc. It reflects ones drive or determination to complete a course of action no matter the obstacle they face.
Being Diligent is the opposite of being lazy or slothful which are barriers to achieving life success. As the book of Proverbs records: ‘The way of a slothful person is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the diligent is smooth.’ (Proverbs 15.19 – MSG). Life generally gets easier or ‘luckier’ for the diligent. If you desire to achieve lasting wealth and success, you must learn to be diligent in what you do.
Discipline
Discipline (or Self-discipline) is similar to diligence but slightly different. It involves having a form of self – control. It is your ability to conform yourself to a pattern of rules or positive behaviours, such as personal training or exercises to keep fit. This conditioning can come from an external intervention where one is conditioned by another to conform. It can also be self-imposed through self-control; a personal discipline of keeping regular positive habits over time, to achieve a desired outcome.
It is possible to display diligence to your work without being a disciplined person. However, it is the combination of diligence (dedication to duty or responsibility), and discipline (ability to control ones emotions or actions), that builds greatness and durable success. You need a strong will to be disciplined, otherwise you are vulnerable to life’s distractions and challenges. As the scripture explains : – ‘Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down without walls.’ (Proverbs 25.28). Allowing lustful and reckless desires to rule your actions without self-control (or discipline) makes you a disaster waiting to happen.
Diligence and discipline are compatible patterns of behaviour as these work best together. Diligence drives you to take positive action continuously, while discipline enables you to keep a firm control on your self and remain focused on achieving your goals. – Positive physical action and a positive mental attitude must align for ultimate success to occur.
5 ways to develop diligence & discipline towards success;
- Create an action plan: First decide what you want to achieve, such as, a career or financial success. “Write the vision and make it plain, that he that reads it may run with it” (Habakkuk 2.2). Create a clear action plan which gives you a goal to focus on, and be diligent in reaching your set goals.
- Evaluate your current situation: Review what is working and/or what is not working in your life currently. Then consider what action is needed to boost performance. Every action you take continuously is a habit that can have a positive or negative impact on you. A wise sage said “Watch your thoughts, they become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your character. Your character becomes your destiny.” (Loa Tzu). You should be intentional about building habits for best outcomes.
- Diligently guard your heart: Develop the ability to resist emotional distractions attempting to deter you from achieving your expected life goals. The following scriptural verses buttress this; ‘Guard your heart with diligence for it determines the course of your life’ (Proverbs 4.23 – NLT)
- Make diligence and discipline your way of life: Display a disciplined attitude and devotion to duty whatever level you find yourself. This is beneficial as the ability to do this at every stage guarantees your constant progress and promotion; ‘In all labour there is profit’ (Proverbs 14.23)
‘Whatever you have to do, do it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, rather than people, since you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.’ (Colossians 3:23 & 24).
‘Promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. God is the judge: He puts down one and sets up another.’ (Psalm 75.6 & 7). God sees your dedication even when no one else does and will definitely reward you.
- Develop a habit of prayer: New positive habits could include; your daily work or exercise routine, eating habits, financial habits etc. Most importantly, you need to develop a habit of prayer. Learning to pray and commit your plans to God permits divine help to support you. ‘ In all your ways acknowledge Him (God), and He will give you success’ (Proverbs 3.6). Developing a habit of sincere prayer will make it much easier for you to remain diligent and disciplined towards attaining your goals.
Good-Luck xx
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