BySelf-discipline means self-imposed standards for the sake of a higher goal (Myles Munroe). In other words, it’s the sum total of the various boundaries you place on yourself about how you use your time, money, resources and other essentials in order to achieve something you’ve firmly decided to do.
So many people employ self-discipline in their lives, especially at the beginning of a new year (what people call New Year Resolutions), in order to achieve targets. But as a leader, how does self-discipline impact the growth of your vision?
How self-discipline is fundamental to growing your vision
The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18 NKJV that,
“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law.”
This verse is controversial to every leader in Christ. God, through Solomon, says that where there is no vision into the future, the people connected to that vision will live loose lives (that’s the meaning of “cast off restraint”). In other words, when a visionary person is out of the scene, self-discipline will be lacking in the people divinely connected to that vision.
For example, our ministry began with God calling only one person, our president, to handle it. As time goes on, God keeps adding people to our team; and, through our ministry, influences their lives to live unto Him and serve Him. Had our president not obeyed God’s call, all these people would have gotten engaged in unprofitable things.
God ordained Peter since eternity to become a preacher to the Jews. But until the visionary person called Jesus Christ showed up, he was a fisherman. If Peter had died not discovering his purpose, he would have been answerable to God.
There is no self-discipline without a clear vision.
Unfortunately, some people are in this world who are like that. Because there’s no spiritual authority over their lives, they’re involved in many obscene activities, serving the devil. It’s our duty as believers to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to them.
There is no self-discipline without a clear vision. Why? Because it’s the vision that will help you determine how to use your time, energy, money and other resources. Without it, you’ll live a loose life.
Read: Five ways God uses to reveal divine purpose
Now, let’s look at two importance of self-discipline in leadership
1. Self-discipline helps you to live a focused life
When you know where God is taking you, it’ll affect all your choices. Disciplining yourself to follow God’s vision will cost you a loose life (to a narrow one), some relationships and some investments. Because you know what your life stands for, it’s easy to say “No” to anybody who tries to manipulate or convince you to do something not related to the fulfilment of the vision.
Where there is focus, there’s a faster rate of advancement in the ongoing activity.
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Look at Joseph’s life in Genesis. He knew he had a dream about his future – that he’d become a ruler. When He got to Potiphar’s house, he was still carrying the vision, even though his location had changed. And because of that, he could resist Potiphar’s wife’s temptation to sleep with him.
Joseph was a focused man because his vision created self-discipline in his heart to live pleasing to God in a foreign land. And so should you!
2. Self-discipline enables you to accomplish more tasks in a shorter time
Where there is focus, there’s a faster rate of advancement in the ongoing activity. When you’re self-disciplined to fulfil your divine mandate, you’ll achieve some goals companies would have used six months to complete way faster.
Focus is a powerful tool to increase productivity. But it’s only born when there’s a clear vision of your life in Christ. Without it, you’ll work for many people and do many things, yet without inner fulfilment.
Don’t be deceived. Discipline yourself. Cut back your expenses on unnecessary things and focus on what’s profitable for your life.
