Being disciplined is about respecting yourself enough to put yourself first. Come on, hands up, who’s a people pleaser? I’m definitely not judging you if you are because for most of my life, I’ve been guilty of trying to please everyone and putting other people’s needs before my own, be it my family, friends, colleagues or strangers! Time and time again I would bend over backwards to help others before caring for myself and my own needs and where did it get me? In honesty, not very far at all and really it held me back for so long.

Putting other people’s needs first has driven me to the edge of anxiety and depression. It has made me mentally, physically and financially unwell and unfit and had a huge negative effect on my whole life, my health and my relationships; yet, at the time, the need to be doing things for the benefit of other people before taking care of my own needs seemed more important to me. It was ridiculous really and there was a cycle that the more I did for others, the more normal and OK I thought that was, regardless of what I actually wanted or needed.

Then something changed for me. I got so low and struggled with so much, but with the support of my rather fabulous husband Simon, I slowly started putting boundaries in place and saying no to people. I put my own needs first and got disciplined with myself and others. My boundaries included simple changes such as ‘office hours’ so people couldn’t expect responses at all hours, and I switched my laptop off at a designated time each day. This discipline was my saviour and it gave me time for me. People soon learned what I would and wouldn’t respond to when, and what I would tolerate.

I also prioritised what I needed ahead of work. Each day I schedule my time in before work, whether that’s exercise, reading, meditation, family time or ‘nothing’ time (it’s really good to just do nothing sometimes!), then I’m very disciplined with my to-dos each day – between three and five each day, in two designated work slots. The result? I have more time for me and I work less but I am ultimately so much more productive, successful, healthier in mind and body and happier for it.

That is how and why discipline is vital! It can quite literally save you. My own experience has proved this to me, and you can make small changes for huge benefits as well. 

Need some help with your mindset, setting boundaries or accountability? Then contact us to find out more about The PERFORM Experience ®.

You can also read more in Tabby’s book “The Three Ps: Possibility, Productivity and Performance” here