Building Discipline
What happens when the Tower is destroyed? When its foundations have been shattered and nothing stands? One must rebuild—and to do so on solid ground. I will replace the broken tower with a new construct—a Citadel. It will not be built quickly, but assuredly, deliberately, masterfully.
If a brick is laid, one day at a time, what can be created in 20 months? If I devote myself to cultivating intense discipline, and to surpassing prior limits, what can I achieve? I have a deep desire to know.
When one rebuilds something, they have the chance to scrutinize outdated assumptions and apply new lessons. I have learned there is value in taking things slowly to ensure a sturdy foundation. I have also learned there is value in taking action, no matter how small. Otherwise, I'm prone to overthinking, and no brick is actually laid. Therefore, focusing on the fundamental elements and making progress on those bases is ideal.
What are the fundamentals of the life I want to build for myself? Answering this question reveals the immediate aspects to work on. A few ideas to start with:
- a resilient mind that is not easily disturbed by anxiety or worry or distractions
- a keen sense of direction so that my actions are intentionally taken
- a subtractive tendency towards the superfluous, to minimize drag or friction later on
- a strong ability to endure discomfort (including boredom) so that I accomplish tasks necessary for longer-term goals
Items 1 and 3 are about thoughtful negation; Items 2 and 4 are about thoughtful activation. Items 1 and 2 ground me in the current moment; Items 3 and 4 seek a better future. Altogether, the common notion across these aspects is discernment of what is crucial and what is not. These are the keys to my ideal of discipline; the sooner I cultivate these traits, the sooner I enjoy what they yield.