Do you ever wonder why so many people fail at dieting (myself included at times)?  Have you ever thought about how some people get everything done in a day, while others flounder and live in a constant state of frustration.  I had someone tell me the other day that they knew how to get achieve their goals, they just never seemed to be able to stick with the plan.  The more I observe people the more I realize that planning without discipline is an exercise in futility.

Now discipline is a hard commodity to keep in stock.  Many of us start out on a high note and end singing a sour tune.  Discipline is one of those “just do it” words, and some people are very good at it and others need help each day.  To be completely successful we need to be reminded of the value and importance of the goal at hand. That is where knowing our purpose becomes important.  “I want to lose 50 lbs to lower my blood pressure” may be a good purpose for someone who struggles with staying on task with a diet.  The purpose must be compelling enough to create motivation and resolve which will lead to discipline.

I had someone tell me all their goals one time.  He had career goals, family goals, personal goals and goals for his wife and kids individually and so on, very goal-oriented guy.  And yet he sat before me having achieved very few of his goals.  Someone had told him he had to set goals, but they left out the part about how to achieve a goal, the part about discipline.  It is not enough to merely want something, there must be a plan on how to get it and the motivation or the “why” of the goal.

Don’t blame the goal if it is not achieved, look to the plan and the discipline applied to the goal.  Don’t blame circumstances for lack of achievement, look to the discipline exerted in the direction of the goal.  What have you wanted to do, but just can’t seem to accomplish?  Rethink why you will achieve it and them create some habits that will give you the discipline to achieve your goal.  Your goals are waiting, time to step up!