DISCIPLINE

Link to FULL PODCAST: https://soundcloud.com/heelhang/the-artists-circle-discipline

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." – Jim Rohn

Prompt:

Discipline is the key to success as an artist. If you don't develop self-discipline, it causes problems: physical problems (injuries), distraction, procrastination, unfinished or messy work, clutter, things piling up and overwhelming you, etc. I’d like to discuss our relationship, struggles or successes, and perspective on discipline.

My Answer:

Discipline for me is a many sided issue. I have to be disciplined about my training (and rehab) if I want to stay safe and functional, disciplined about my schedule if I want to produce consistent work, disciplined about rest if I want to stay efficient and healthy, and disciplined about continuing my own education if I want to continue to improve.

Thoughts and Actions:

Discipline is the quality of being able to behave and work in a controlled way which involves following particular rules or standards.

So, I think a good question to ask yourself is… what are the rules or standards that you follow in your creative work? This is another one of those times that I like to point out that EVEN IF you wake up brilliant and full of magic… no one will ever know if you don’t have the discipline to craft your brilliance into something. And as we all know… simply making “something” won’t get you anywhere, you have to make something meaningful.

Discipline creates a strong mental framework that helps you become more resilient, patient, and focused on the task at hand. It lays the groundwork for forming good habits that promote productivity and efficiency.

Art is not really about accomplishment, but, success is. So if you want to be a successful artist, you have to be disciplined about your practice.

Here are some strategies to enhance your discipline:

1. Set Clear and Specific GoalsDivide complex goals into smaller, manageable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed and make progress more visible. 

2. Build Good Habits and RoutinesStructure your creative time with consistent activities that support your goals.Focus on making small, incremental improvements.

3. Find Accountability and SupportShare your goals with someone who will hold you accountable and provide support.

5. Remove Temptations and Distractions

Discipline is the strongest form of self-love. It's loving yourself enough to do what's needed (and not do what's not needed) to get everything you really want.