It’s a word most of us no likey, but I will put money on it being the thing that’s standing between us and the lives we were created to have.
Okay, so first let’s get over our knee-jerk reaction to this word.
Discipline derives from the Latin word disciplina (instruction) and disciplinus (a learner). It’s also related to the word disciple, which in the original Greek (mathetes) means a pupil or an apprentice to a master craftsman.
So check that out. Discipline really means learning, being apprenticed by someone who knows what they are doing.
As performers, the wonderful thing is that there is always something to learn, and always someone to learn from.
Like I said last month, I’ve been working on my opera sangin’…I’ve found a coach and a teacher who are truly master craftsmen. They actively work in the opera world and know a lot more than I do. I’m growing and learning week to week, I’m doing what they say, practicing, and I’m able to use that in my own performing (musical theatre and classical) and paying it forward to my clients.
Another great example of discipline for me is one of my teachers and mentors, Betty Buckley. Betty is a master at what she does, and that’s because she never stops working on it. Her work ethic is incredible. She is always studying, always seeking to be better, always finding the best people to give her the best tools. I would call Betty a master craftsman. That’s why I still use what she taught me eleven years ago when I studied with her (was an apprentice) in NYC. A master craftsman continues to work. That’s why she’s a master.
Ok, here’s how you break down discipline into practical terms for yourself. This is also a recap from last month, but worth repeating.
What are they? Family, friends, spiritual life, career, financial, etc. What’s in your gut? Pay attention over time as well to what might be buried and keeps coming to the surface. You might be surprised.
From your priorities, your goals will flow. Let’s say you want to invest more into your relationships. And in my opinion, relationships come before your career.
Some goals might be to take a friend out for dinner who’s going through a tough time, babysit for friends who have kids who can use a date night, or writing a just-because card to a member of your family you haven’t connected with in a while. Simple things-and you can easily see how you can translate this over to your career goals.
Now you have to do these things consistently over a period of time. And like I said before to all my fellow approval junkies, get a good friend who will hold your feet to the fire. Find a mentor who you want to make proud. Approval-seeking can be turned into a positive force in our lives.
This is just a sketch, but what’s most important to take away is that discipline is the foundation that your life structure can be built upon. We would never want to live in a house without a sound foundation and structure, yet we look at our structure-less lives and say, “Why isn’t this working?”
It’s like singing a song in the wrong key and choosing whatever lyrics you want. Doesn’t work.
So spend some time with this. Just pick one or two areas to focus on, and see what happens!
