Chapter 9: THE PRICE TAG OF LEADERSHIP: SELF-DISCIPLINE
Definition of self-control: (in Greek is egkráteia / enkrateia)(eng-krat'-i-ah) which means “to get a grip on oneself.”
What area of your life are you losing your grip?
Why do you believe this is happening to you?
What have you done to overcome this challenge of self-discipline?
What is the hardest thing you have done to improve yourself or your circumstances?
SELF-DISCIPLINE MAKES
LEADERSHIP’S UPHILL CLIMB POSSIBLE
Everything worthwhile is uphill.
• Everything is inclusive.
• Worthwhile is desirable, good for you, attractive, beneficial
• Uphill describes challenging, grueling, exhausting, difficult
Explain to the group an experience that reflects that statement?
What do you find the hardest to give up?
What hill should you climb to get to the next level of success?
HOW TO GET TO THE TOP
1. Self-Discipline Enables You to Go Uphill.
Do you want to improve your life?
How do you make it happen?
How can the shift from “I’m going through” to “What am I going to” assist you in self-discipline?
2. Self-Discipline Makes the Difference Between Temporary Success and Sustained Success.
“Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.” – Thomas Huxley
How does the Pain Paradox relate to you right now?
John C. Maxwell’s Daily Dozen for Self-Discipline
Just for today . . . I will choose and display the right attitudes.
Just for today . . . I will embrace and practice good values.
Just for today . . . I will communicate with and care for my family.
Just for today . . . I will know and follow healthy guidelines.
Just for today . . . I will determine and act upon important priorities.
Just for today . . . I will accept and show responsibility.
Just for today . . . I will make and keep proper commitments.
Just for today . . . I will initiate and invest in solid relationships.
Just for today . . . I will earn and properly manage finances.
Just for today . . . I will deepen and live out my faith.
Just for today . . . I will desire and experience self-improvement.
Just for today . . . I will plan for and model generosity.
Just for today . . . I will act on these decisions and practice these disciplines.
Then one day . . . I will see the compounding results of a day lived well.
3. Self-Discipline Makes Habit Your Servant Instead of Your Master.
What are your downhill habits?
A Leaders challenge:
• How can I turn my downhill habits into uphill habits?
• How can I help the people I lead to change their downhill habits into uphill habits?
Changing your thinking changes your habits.
Which attitude do you default to?
Review the chart below and identify which side you spend most of your time. What can you do to improve?
4. Self-Discipline is Developed – Not Given
The first step to developing self-discipline is awareness.
• Self-disciplined people avoid temptation.
People who develop self-discipline and positive habits don’t put themselves in the line of fire.
Self-disciplined people know when to expend their energy.
“Make sure every day you . . . know what matters most.” – Gary Keller
When do you need to be at your best?
• Self-disciplined people understand and practice the principle of pay now, play later.
Where do you practice this with good success?
5. Self-Discipline is Most Easily Developed in Areas of Strength and Passion
What you love and what you’re good at usually point you to your right thing.
Maybe it’s time to...
• Quit something you don’t do well to do something you do well.
• Quit something you’re not passionate about to do something that fills you with passion.
• Quit something that doesn’t make a difference to do something that does.
• Quit something that’s not your dream to do something that is.
6. Self-Discipline and Respect Are Connected
“Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the high road to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.” – Brian Tracy
Assess yourself and your teammates using the above chart
7. Self-Discipline Makes Consistency Possible and Consistency Compounds
Where is one area in your leadership that would benefit from increased consistency?
In today’s culture, people are more captivated by charisma, genius, excitement, creativity, and innovation.
Why is it difficult to model consistency with this worldview?
• Consistency establishes your reputation
• Consistency is a prerequisite to excellence
• Consistency provides security to others
• Consistency reinforces your vision and values
• Consistency compounds
Where could greater consistency enable you to develop gradually?
How does John model consistency compounds?
APPLICATION: Developing the Self-Disciplined Person Within You
What areas of your life do you have good self-discipline?
What areas of your life do you really struggle with self-discipline?
What habit or habits do you have right now that changing them or giving them up would give you a better future?
Start Somewhere – Pick an area where you struggle and follow the steps:
• Avoid Temptation
• Pay Now, Play Later
• Get Back on the Wagon
Develop Discipline in Your Strengths
• What do you do well?
• What are your talents?
• What are you passionate about?
• How can you leverage these things for your life and your leadership?
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