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- Mastering Discipline
Hi there! I celebrated my first birthday with my daughter this week and it has been a wonderful experience. Today I want to talk about discipline and how it's not always going to be perfect but first....
Weekly Inventory Check
September is over, and now we are heading towards October. When a new month begins, it's a good time to reflect on what went well and what didn't in the past month. We can learn from our experiences. This month, let's make realistic plans and avoid overwhelming ourselves with too many commitments. It's important to set achievable goals and avoid feeling overwhelmed, so we can actually accomplish what we plan to do.
Discipline
I've been sharing how my daily routine was going so well, thanks to my daughter. Every morning, I'd rise at 6:00 AM, eager to begin the day. My first task was feeding her, a bonding experience that set a positive tone for the day. We would follow this with a refreshing walk, a special time I cherished with my little one. Once she was back in her crib, peacefully asleep, I would take some time for myself. Stretching exercises and reading became my morning rituals. Engaging in these activities made me feel accomplished, laying a strong foundation for the day ahead. I was balancing personal development with my roles as a parent and partner, and it felt good.
However, as my daughter approached her three-month mark, disruptions crept into our routine. Nights became challenging as she grew fussier, causing me to lose precious sleep. The arrival of colder mornings only made it harder to leave the warmth of my bed. I found myself struggling to get up and embrace the day as I used to. This deviation from my established routine left me feeling frustrated and disappointed in myself.
In these moments of frustration, I began to realize an important truth: perfection in routines is a myth. Life is unpredictable, and setbacks are a natural part of any journey. Instead of berating myself for not adhering to my routine flawlessly, I started to focus on a more significant aspect: resilience. I read an insightful newsletter by James Clear, which emphasized the importance of bouncing back after a fall. It dawned on me that everyone encounters obstacles. The key difference between those who succeed and those who don't lies in their ability to recover swiftly. Understanding this, I embraced a new perspective. Yes, there were days when my routine faltered, when work demanded more of my time, or when exhaustion overpowered my motivation. What mattered most was my capacity to acknowledge these setbacks without self-condemnation.
I learned to be kinder to myself, understanding that occasional deviations were a part of life. One mistake shouldn't lead to a chain reaction of negativity and more mistakes. Instead, I adopted the practice of getting back on track as soon as possible. Each day, each moment, offered a fresh opportunity to start anew. It was not about the perfection of my routine but about my resilience in the face of challenges.
This perspective shift empowered me. It allowed me to accept the ebb and flow of life without losing sight of my goals. By being compassionate with myself during moments of struggle, I found the strength to recommit to my routine. I no longer let temporary setbacks define my journey; instead, I embraced them as integral parts of my growth. In essence, I discovered that the true measure of success was not the absence of challenges but the ability to rise above them, dust myself off, and keep moving forward.
Want More?
This article discusses that embracing vulnerability is a powerful tool for true leadership in the digital age and by practicing self-compassion and embracing imperfection, leaders can become more authentic and relatable, and ultimately achieve greater success.
This article concludes that we should focus on progress and personal growth for better mental health.
This article discusses the drawbacks of trying to be perfect in everyday life routine and how it effects our life
Reel of the Week
Thoughts to leave you with
The main thing I want to emphasize is that everyone makes mistakes and faces setbacks. Nobody is perfect, and that's okay. What truly matters is how fast you get back on track after you slip up. I want you to understand this deeply. It's not about doing things perfectly; it's about getting back on track every time you make a mistake. The more you do this, even if it's not flawless, the better off you'll be in the long run.
Meetup
There's a new event coming up! It's called Ten Toasts, specifically for people living in the Netherlands, and more specifically for those living in Eindhoven. The meetup is set for next month. We'll be sharing stories and toasting to the ones that changed our lives. This is the link to join. Hope to see you there!
The Weekly Vasl Podcast
Our Episode on Sports and Tribalism is out now! You can watch it below! Ahad and Mudassir are back, and this time they're diving into a crucial topic, just in time for the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India where they discuss sports and tribalism in depth. They emphasize that while rivalries can run deep, there's an underlying shared love for the game that unites fans. But they don't stop at cricket; they also explore the world of football, particularly the Premier League. Ahad and Mudassir discuss the distinct game styles of various football clubs and how each style reflects the essence of the team. They shed light on the intriguing connection between football supporters and their chosen teams Tune in to their podcast, where they even touch upon the political aspects related to sports. Join them for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation that's sure to leave you with a new perspective on sports and tribalism.
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