Writing Takes Discipline!

I have to sit down and work. I have to make goals. I have to meet goals.

I’ve also found out that the more discipline I have in life the better my writing goes.

I learned that when I have the discipline to eat right and exercise I sleep better, wake up with energy, and I can get more done. If I don’t eat right, I feel sluggish and I need naps … lots of them. I got a recumbent bike that allows me to exercise and read at the same time. Perfect!

Of course, discipline/joy that helps me the most is having daily quiet time. When I take time to read, pray, praise, journal my heart is on-fire and my mind is ready to work.

Over the last 8 months or so I’ve been disciplined in using the calendar in Outlook. I schedule everything: Bible reading, exercise, writing time, interviews, making dinner, phone meetings–everything. It also helps me as I fill in my to-do list. When I put everything into their own slots I get a realistic look at what I can accomplish–instead of being disappointed at the end of the day because I didn’t accomplish as much as I hoped. Also, if another “to-do” comes to mind, I plug it in. Sometimes I schedule it days, weeks, or even months out. I’ve discovered that when I do this I don’t have to worry about that “to-do” anymore because I know I have a plan and it will get done. It also feels good to check things off!

I also make church service a priority. Not service, the noun, but service the verb. My husband and I volunteer in children’s church every week and every Wednesday I’m part of a small group study. It helps me to interact and give and serve. We also have a couples’ small group every Monday night in our home. The six other couples are our best friends, and it’s a great time. It is good to connect with real people!

Of course, being disciplined is HARD WORK. It’s easy to make plans, but it’s harder to follow through. My eating was good today. My exercise was not. I didn’t have quiet time, because I had to take my grandma to the doctor. Some days are better than others, but it’s a good reminder that this is a process. We are on pilgrimage, and I trust when I’m working at it day after day, then I will grow closer to God as I disciple myself and as I seek His strength in all these areas.