Hello there!
I’ve been thinking and writing a lot about self-discipline. It’s a habit or a mindset that leads to intense satisfaction and even joy.
The joy comes when a mountain of work is accomplished and the reward is reserved for when it’s done. Then upon completion, several deep exhales of held breath eases out as you slip into a state of “Wow, I can’t believe I did that!”
The joy also comes when you see how sticking to a process positively impacts many people. It’s a sweet feeling of satisfaction to see other people’s joy or need fulfilled.
People who practice for hours every day to perform a few minutes of their craft know this sensation of joy.
But it’s not just reserved for the musical and athletic stars of our times. We can get in on this sweet joy. 🙂
Here are a few tips:
1) Go after the extraordinary – this kind of joy is not felt unless it took some effort to get there.
2) Particularly when the feeling is to STOP, KEEP GOING. Those are the moments when joy is sowed.
3) Set other-centered goals; serving others is a sure bet to produce sweet joy.
4) Along the way, pray; prayer takes many forms…you can be still and… just be still or go into a meditative state of focus on one uplifting thought or you can say thank-you for the joy you anticipate.
5) Build the anticipation by imagining the completion of the project. (Much like when a loved one is away and you spend glorious moments thinking of their return, anticipation builds…)
6) Imagine and visualize the benefits of completing this particular set of action steps…what’s the WHY behind the actions? Keep your why in sharp focus.
7) DO THE WORK! There is no substitute for just getting it done. The joy can only be felt, deeply and sincerely if you gave it your all. Not just enough to get it barely done, but done at your highest and best level.
So go after your joy. It’s there for every single one of us. If we would just produce the cause the effect is sure to follow. Sow it to reap it. 🙂
Wishing you an abundance of sweet and lasting joy,
♥~