Eat your vegetables first!

Children need structure and encouragement to do unpleasant things so they can enjoy something better. “After you make your bed, you can go out and play.”

However, some of us were not disciplined well. We grew up in homes that were chaotic and unstructured, or our parents were rigid and heavy-handed so we tend to buck authority. Either way, we struggle as adults. We buy things, intending to pay for them later. We put off unpleasant tasks and avoid difficult conversations. We want dessert, without having to eat our veggies.

As it turns out, successful people and those who are unsuccessful dislike the same things. But if those things are important, successful people do them anyway. They give themselves rewards for accomplishment and consequences for procrastination. They do what it takes to achieve their goals and remove any obstacles that stand in the way.

Self-esteem grows with self-discipline. We feel better about ourselves when we make commitments and keep them. And the better we feel about ourselves, the more disciplined we are in the choices we make and the more empowered we are to follow-through. And in some cases, we begin to enjoy the process. We develop a taste for broccoli!

Discipline in childhood thrives in a loving and trusting relationship with a parent. But if you missed out, don’t despair! You have a loving heavenly Father who will discipline you as His beloved child. He promises great rewards when we trust and obey.

With His help, every day presents a fresh start. If we have gotten derailed in our progress, we can get back on track by asking the question, “What is the next right thing?”

And if we struggle with self-discipline, we can invite a friend, a sponsor or accountability partner to check on our progress. All of us have battles that can only be won when we invite someone into the trenches with us. We just have to set aside pride and ask for help.

So declare your intention! Let God know what you want and structure your day so you get the unpleasant task out of the way first. Discipline is not fun, but when we have done the work, we have time for play!

Eat your vegetables first!