054: Discipline During Transition
Coming back from our trip to the Amazon has provided a perfect moment to pause and reflect. Transitions from one pace to another offer a natural reminder of life's cycles and an invitation to reset our own rhythms.
And this idea of transitioning from one cycle or pace to another aligns beautifully with one of our 9 Fundamental Frequencies: Discipline. At Sacred Business Flow, we see Discipline as the art of consistent, intentional action. It's not about rigid control, but rather about creating structures that support our highest goals and vision.
I've noticed that travel, with all its joys, often disrupts my planned routines and habits. After the flights, adventures, and all the cool experiences that are part of taking a trip like this, I tend to get thrown a little off track.
Maybe you've experienced something similar?
But here's the thing - that's okay! In fact, it's more than okay. These disruptions, while sometimes challenging, give us a valuable opportunity to practice restarting rituals, habits, and practices that may have fallen by the wayside. This is where true Discipline shines - not in never faltering, but in our ability to choose to begin again.
Restarting is a skill we can develop, just like any other.
It's what my friend and mentor, Leo Babauta would call "coming back to zero", and embracing a beginner's mindset. With each restart, we get to experience the joy and excitement of starting fresh, free from the weight of past attempts or failures.
I invite you to take a moment and consider: What areas of your life have gotten off track recently? Maybe it's your time at the gym, nutrition, yoga practice, morning meditation, or keeping regular hours with your work as an entrepreneur.
Perhaps it's a creative project you've been meaning to tackle, or a relationship you've been wanting to nurture.
For me, it's my writing schedule, which is why you are receiving this newsletter late today, and in abbreviated format.
Whatever it is, the first step is to let go of any guilt or self-judgment. Have grace for yourself. Remember that you're always doing your best with the energy and capacity you have each day. Forgive yourself for not living up to unrealistic "shoulds" that may be lingering in your mind.
This self-compassion isn't just feel-good advice - it's backed by science. Research from Dr. Kristin Neff at the University of Texas has shown that self-compassion is linked to greater emotional resilience, more accurate self-concepts, and less anxiety and depression.
Once you've released that unnecessary baggage, you're ready to start again. Come back to zero and find joy in the fresh start. Embrace the process of building those positive habits again, one small step at a time. This is Discipline in action - the willingness to show up consistently, even when it's challenging.
According to research from the European Journal of Social Psychology, it takes an average of 66 days for a new habit to become automatic. So be patient with yourself as you rebuild routines. Remember, progress isn't always linear. There will be ups and downs, and that's all part of the journey.
The key is to keep showing up, even when it's not perfect. As the writer James Clear says: "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." Focus on creating systems and routines that support your goals, rather than fixating on the end result.
Here are a few strategies I've personally found helpful when restarting habits, all of which embody the Frequency of Discipline:
Start small: Choose one habit to focus on at a time. Make it so easy you can't say no.
Use habit stacking: Attach your new habit to an existing routine. For example, "While I boil the water for my morning coffee, I'll meditate for 5 minutes."
Create a supportive environment: Make it easy to do the right thing and hard to fall back into old patterns. For example one of our clients, recently shared how she always carries a water bottle on her morning walk to ensure she drinks more water. So simple, yet genius!
Track your progress: Use a simple method like marking an X on a calendar for each day you complete your habit.
Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small. This builds momentum and motivation. If you are a member of our Sacred Growth Club, this is why we've adopted the celebration pose and return to it so frequently!
As we move into this coming week, I encourage you to see your Monday morning as a fresh canvas for cultivating Discipline. What habits or routines are you excited to restart? What new practices might you want to introduce?
Remember, Discipline isn't about perfection. It's about progress and consistency over time. Each day is a new opportunity to align your actions with your intentions.
I'd love to hear what you're working on. What habits are you excited to rebuild? How do you approach the process of restarting? Your insights might inspire others in our community.
With Love,
Phil
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