A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering. – Dalai Lama XIV
I am writing a book at the moment and as exciting as this is, I am aware that in between work, family and life in general, I need to discipline my time to write.
Just like exercise, stillness and living in the moment, if we waited until we felt like doing it, we may never achieve anything. Self-discipline is a conscious act to practice regularly towards a goal or achievement.
That said, what I found crucial in moving forward is knowing the right time to start. Sometimes when we want something badly, we tend to force ourselves ahead before we are ready, and this only leads to exhaustion and frustration.
I wanted to write this book about three years ago but it wasn’t the right time. Each time I started to write, I got sidetracked and didn’t feel like anything was flowing. Infact, I wasn’t thinking about it this year either except, Hay House Publishing kept calling me weekly to see when I was starting.
After ignoring about four calls, I thought maybe I should listen and maybe I am ready. It wasn’t until I sat down to start, that I realised I was and once I opened the doors, I found an Editor and now I am really enjoying it.
Sometimes we are not ready to start a project or create changes in our life and that’s ok. What is important is that we listen to our intuition and watch for signs of synchronicity and flow towards our idea. Once we get the green light, the rest is up to us and that is where our self-discipline begins.
No matter what project or change you would like to start here are some ideas:
Write down your goals for the year, break them up to weekly, then daily.
Focus on one project at a time, this helps us listen to our intuition as well.
Commit to your project at the same time each day so you become conditioned to practice.
Finish the task you set out for the day, so there is a sense of achievement.
Watch for signs of synchronicity and flow and if you keep getting blocked, then stop.
Practice makes perfect, so even when you don’t feel like doing it, do it anyway, this is called progress!
I wish you all the best in everything you are working towards and never limit your true potential.
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
Great advice Karen.
Good luck with the book!!!! 🙂
Thankyou Val. Its a journey to complete 🙂
Can’t wait to read it Karen .. you have so much to share!
Thanks Maree, I appreciate your comment! Good to have you here.
Once again, your post is so relevant to my goings-on. Thanks for that list. And knowing that you’re writing for Hay House, I am quite sure I will want to be reading it when it’s published.
Ha we are definitely on the same page MK!. I am very excited to be writing. Thankyou so much.
That’s wonderful Karen. I wish you well with the book. You’re so right. There is a time for everything. I often find that in reading books. I would read one and finish it and not be impressed, and then two years or so down the line something would make me pick it up again and read and I would see things I just never saw in the first read. It’s almost as if the second read is the right time. Again, I wish you well with your writing.
Yes Don, I also have done this with a few books. When the timing is perfect, it feels good and suddenly everything “clicks.” Thankyou for your kind words. 🙂 Have you ever written a book? I think you have a great deal of knowledge and wisdom to share with us and with your amazing art, it might be a project for London?
Best wishes on your book, this will be a good journey.
Thankyou Mary, I appreciate your encouragement.
Love this post Karen. I wish you much success completing your book! ❤
Diana xo
Lovely Diana Thankyou! Lots to do, but I am so glad to give back to others. 🙂
Wishing you all the best! I am on a similar journey and appreciate the thoughts on discipline as I can be so undisciplined at times!
We are all undisciplined at times! I would love to hear what you are doing. Maybe we can encourage each other. Thankyou for being here.
Trying to create a story of my journey, hopefully to assist other women in not giving up their voice! Yes, thank you too for being a bright light. Are you in NZ or Australia? My sweet son lives in NZ at the moment, so very far away, but he loves it.
Sounds like a wonderful worthy project you are writing! I look forward to reading it. I am in Australia and I hope to get to New Zealand in August this year! I have had so many friends say how beautiful it is, so I look forward to it. 🙂
Timing and discipline both are important to achieve something in life. Your blog article is really impressive keep it up!
Thanks Christina, I appreciate your comment.
Way to go karen.
Organization-divide and conquer!
Much luck on the book.
-Alan
Thanks Alan, I like the idea I will Conquer! I appreciate your encouragement. 🙂
Such good suggestions! Best to you on the work o your book.
Thankyou Emilie. It is a discipline to write a book! I appreciate your comment.
Wish you all the best with your book Karen 😀
I admire that you are able to think a year ahead, I try with months and weeks and find that difficult.
Thankyou Irene. Its more like a vision or goal for the year. I just put the vision in place, for example “To finish a book” and then let it go. If and when it happens I won’t know, but setting a discipline each day to try is all I can do. It will always be what we decide to do each day which will lead us to or away from our dreams. 🙂 Do you sell your Jewellery in Australia? 🙂
Thanks for your encouragement Karen 😀
My calender works in the way, that I wake up, sometimes in the middle of the night without being able to sleep any longer, then I need to find out how,much energy this day offer me before I decide what to do today.
I have cronical pain, so a lot can change tomorrow, which make all a little more difficult.
Yes, I do sell world wide, thank you 😀
Excited for you Karen and look forward to reading your book one day soon. Thanks for the tips. I need to set up specific days for all my different projects.
Thankyou Kath. I have a lot of work to do. But one day at a time. I look forward to seeing and reading your projects too! 🙂
We can share our experiences Karen. Its all about the journey.
Yes and when we are famous Authors, (I think you are already ha) We will read this back and laugh! 🙂
So proud of you! Can’t wait to read your book! xxx
Thankyou so much for your encouragement! It means a lot.
That’s some sound advice! I’m no writer, but I could definitely use some discipline in my life. Thanks for stopping by at my blog and liking that post. Good luck with your book! 🙂
You are a great writer! and very modest. Thankyou for your comment and for stopping by too. 🙂
Karen ~ so proud of you! Congrats on doing it, writing your book! I love that Hay House kept calling you. I am excited for you. Keep up the great work!! xoxo
Thankyou Yvonne. It’s funny because now I am writing they have stop pestering me, it was only to get me started! A definite sign for me 🙂 I appreciate your beautiful comments.
Hmmm … sounds like I’m GTG with timing and discipline. 😉
Yes it is a practice and an effort! Just a little each day……:)