Being disciplined vs. Having Discipline
What do you think of when you hear the word “discipline?” For most it may create a flashback to a moment when we were younger after doing something we weren’t supposed to. We screwed up, got in trouble, and then followed the punishment phase. We were to be disciplined. Maybe it spurs a memory of sitting in the principals office or a scary image of a paddle comes to mind (or in my case a wood spoon!). You probably remember a time doing pushups for being late to practice or your entire team running sprints for breaking a rule. There’s a lot of instances in which discipline is being doled out as a punishment for a number of infractions. I would be willing to bet that for most coaches, and certainly most players, these images or memories would be a part of their won discipline definition. However, I’d like to take a look at the word from a completely different context. A much brighter and rosier view of the word if you will. A view that isn’t clouded with such dark and scary images or meanings. One that removes the massive negative connotation to the word. I like to view discipline as a good thing. It’s not a tool to be used after something has occurred rather a standard that we use to keep those things from happening in the first place. By being disciplined we remove the need to have discipline handed out to us. Therefore, when someone maintains discipline (within themselves and those around them) and commits to certain habits they will help generate positive outcomes in their daily lives. Once you begin to think of discipline in these terms you can now start to think of all the ways and places you see it throughout your day such as: showing up for work on time; keeping your checkbook balanced or resisting that knee-jerk purchase at your favorite store (maybe not even walking into your favorite store); waking up early to work out or heading to the gym after a long tough day at work; being able to say no to the dessert you crave or extra plate at the buffet. In terms of being a player perhaps it’s getting up extra shots or running routes with your QB after practice, staying in shape during the offseason or taking care of your body during the season working on recovery. Maybe it’s watching film to prepare for an opponent instead of your favorite show or holding teammates accountable when they aren’t upholding a standard. During a game it’s may mean not biting on the pump fake or play-action, holding off swinging at a nice pitch when you’re ahead in the count, blocking out the noise of the crowd while at the free throw line, or keeping true to your fundamentals on a game winning kick. Every other day it may mean committing to a pre-practice or pre-game routine and simply making sure you are always on time, dressed, and prepared for every team event or function.What could this mean from a coach’s point of view? If you have a team standard or pillar do you stick to it and hold everyone including your staff and yourself accountable? Do you keep from falling into a late season trap of needlessly expanding your playbook? Are the details you craved in week one still there in week 10? Is your passion and energy the next day after a win matched after a loss? Can you continue to do the same things every single day even when you don’t want to? If you can, then you have DISCIPLINE, and having discipline is something that keeps you from need to pass out discipline or punishment when things begin to fall apart. Discipline is the thing that keeps things from falling apart in the first place. It keeps you steady, headed toward your North Star. It’s the compass that helps you navigate all of your daily decisions, fighting those temptations, and constantly supporting yourself, your teammates, your players, and your program. Your family. Discipline will be what helps right the ship during stormy seas and keeps one mistake from snowballing into two, or three, or even worse. So the next time you hear someone mention the word discipline, ask them to define it. Do they have it? Or are they passing it out to try and fix a problem true discipline would have never allowed?let us help you establish discipline in your program today. click here.
In Service, Kyle Kavanaugh