Today I want to talk about self discipline and why I think everyone should be trying to hone and improve their self discipline.
Self-discipline is in my opinion the bedrock of all success and the key to personal freedom.
It is the trait that enables us to forgo immediate pleasures for the sake of long-term fulfilment; it allows us to make choices consistent with our deepest values, and ultimately, to steer the course of our lives with intention.
Like a muscle that needs regular exercise to stay strong, self-discipline must be routinely flexed and fine-tuned. It manifests in various facets of our daily existence. Mediocrity is a thief with soft hands. It doesn't break down the door. It seeps in, unnoticed. It makes its home in your smallest choices. It doesn't demand, it seduces. It doesn't shout, it whispers; this is fine. This is enough. And before you know it, it's everywhere.
In the professional sphere, self-discipline sets apart the visionary leaders from the drifters, guiding them to methodically work towards their goals amidst distractions.
It surfaces in our pursuit of education, where the disciplined student embraces the rigours of study over the lure of leisure.
In Health, it's the decision to cook over getting a takeaway. The decision to not skip workouts in favour of the sofa.
Financially, it is the saving over immediate splurging.
Even in relationships, self-control and commitment shape stronger, more enduring connections, as we learn to consider others' needs alongside our own.
Yet, this metaphorical blade of discipline is susceptible to growing dull. One day we find ourselves motivated to eat right and exercise then weeks later we find ourselves succumbing to convince food and Netflix binges.
Conveniences desensitise us to the efforts that underlie self-improvement. This is where deliberate, perhaps unconventional, practices come into play—like my cherished ritual of frigid cold water showers.
Let me share with you why I wholeheartedly love this chilling ritual.
Very Simple (requires only turning a dial)
Easy Access (most people have a shower)
Nobody is there (Your true character shows in how you act when nobody is watching)
Cold Showers: An Exercise in Simplicity and Resolve
The beauty of a cold shower for me lies in its utter simplicity and accessibility. A shower is an amenity most of us have at our disposal, a routine part of our day as common as brushing our teeth or having breakfast.
However, the simple act of turning the dial to the coldest setting is where the profound lesson lies. The knobs represent a choice, a path—warm and alluring versus cold and daunting.
Making the decision to embrace the cold is simple but not easy.
The simplicity comes from the act— all you need to do is twist that dial all the way round to the coldest setting.
The difficulty arises when it's time to step under the icy cascade. Here, every ounce of your being screams in protest , but you can choose to override the instinctual command for comfort. The challenge lies not just in making tough decisions but in acting on them, consistently regardless of the initial discomfort.
And this is where I find a deep-rooted joy in cold showers. It’s not merely about the shock of cold water but the act of exercising one’s freedom to choose one’s response to any given situation, no matter how uncomfortable or daunting it may be. It's a daily reminder of your ability to endure, to be accountable to yourself, and to develop resilience.
Being Uncomfortable is not only fine it's often essential.
Cold showers have become my daily training in self-discipline, a ritual that reinforces my belief that freedom isn't the absence of limitations but the mastery over them. They are a reminder that I have power over my choices and sometimes you need to embrace being uncomfortable.
Beyond Fitness: Honing the Mind - Not the body
It’s important to clarify that my advocacy for cold water showers isn't rooted in the physical benefits that are often touted by fitness enthusiasts and social media influencers. While cold water or ice baths may be promoted as essential for muscle recovery or boosting fitness levels, scientific evidence supporting these claims is not definitive. In fact, some studies suggest that frequent cold immersion can actually impede muscle growth and recovery in the long term.
However, the essence of my cold shower routine is not about physiological improvement or recovery. It’s not about sculpting the body, but about moulding the mind.
Social media has a tendency to glamorise practices like cold immersions into something that it its not—miracle cures or must-have fitness regimens. While these platforms have the power to influence and inspire, they also often blur the line between factual benefits and sensationalised claims. This misconception is why I emphasise the mental rather than the physical.
A cold shower is less about the cold itself and more about the decision to embrace it. It’s about disciplining the mind to face and accept discomfort willingly, using that moment to fortify mental resilience each day. This mental honing, quite distinct from any physical benefits, is the true gift of embracing the cold. It’s about creating a mind as sharp and enduring as a well-maintained blade, ready to cut through the everyday challenges with precision and resolve.
J.
Comments