Self-Discipline Comes First #86 072612

Recently I read Steven King’s book, “On Writing.” The book was recommended by a lady at a wedding dinner. A chance encounter, perhaps.

As my wife and I sat down at an empty table, we were joined by another couple that looked like they knew as few people at the dinner as we did. Small conversation quickly followed.

The lady politely asked,” What do you do?” I replied that I recently retired and was now writing the next great all-American novel. Her husband joined the conversation requesting an overview; his mistake.

Twenty minutes later, and wishing her husband had not asked for the overview, the lady suggested that I might want to read Stephen King’s book On Writing.  According to her, she had found it most helpful in her writing. She, like me, was a writer— unpublished but, hoping.

I read King’s  book and learned a lot. If you would be a writer you must read and write a lot. “If you don’t read, you don’t have anything to write about,” wrote King. He also emphasized the need for a writer’s toolbox.  Equipment for the toolbox is: vocabulary, grammar, style and the right instruments (punctuation marks).

What I like to do is write. When I think I have something to say I want to put it on paper. Sometimes the words on paper do not convey the same meaning as my thoughts. That is where editing and rewriting enter. It is also where the writer’s toolbox helps.

Vocabulary isn’t usually my problem— grammar, style and punctuation marks are. Because of these writing problem areas, I need self-discipline to edit and rewrite.

I look at self-discipline as a restraint. But, H. A. Dorfman in his book The Mental ABCs of Pitching writes, "Self-discipline is a form of freedom. Freedom from laziness and lethargy, freedom from the expectations and demands of others, freedom from weakness and fear—and doubt. Self-discipline allows a pitcher to feel his individuality, his inner strength, his talent. He is master of, rather than a slave to, his thoughts and emotions."

If I am to be the master of my writing and feel the inner strength that results from knowing I am expressing myself clearly through the written word, I must discipline myself by applying the proper tools in my writer’s toolbox.

In the past, I have questioned whether to insert a comma before or after the word “but”? Frankly,  I have gone with the flow (an undisciplined approach) and placed it where I felt it should be. Showing some self-discipline, I researched the rules for proper use of the comma. According to authors Edgar C. Alward and Jean A. Alward, in their book, Punctuation Plain & Simple, there are 31 such rules. The authors point out that the comma is the most frequently used punctuation mark.

In reading about the proper use of the comma with the word but, I was reminded that it is classified as one of the conjunctions (others being and, or, nor, for, so, yet, while, and whereas).

Due to my new self-discipline, you have been reminded (or discovered) two things about the comma: (1) It is the most common used punctuation mark and, (2) there are 31 rules for its proper use.

While self-discipline proves its value in the discipline of writing, it is also a key discipline for anyone in any line of activity. In speaking about success and the future, business writer, Michael Hammer wrote, "A successful career will no longer be about promotion. It will be about mastery." Future success depends on self-discipline.

Self-discipline is the virtue that separates winners from losers; the victorious from the defeated; the embraced from the vanquished. I believe the bookends of life are labeled: “Undisciplined” and “Self-disciplined.” I suppose there are many life-stories shelved closer to the bookend marked: “Undisciplined.”

Perhaps Brian Tracy was thinking of self-discipline when he wrote, “People create their own success by learning what they need to learn and then by practicing it until they become proficient at it.” Both learning and practice require self-discipline. While a young child learns the ABCs by repetition and practice, they unconsciously practice self-discipline. As the child matures, they realize that learning is the conscience result of practicing self-discipline. 

This does not imply that as we mature self-discipline becomes second nature. Something in human nature causes us to fight self-discipline at our moments of greatest need. To continue to learn, to be open to change, to creatively think and to pursue our goals, we must focus our life and practice self-discipline. As Harry Emerson Fosdick, prominent American pastor remarked, "No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed. No stream or gas drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined." Continuing with this same thought, Napoleon Hill wrote, "If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self."

There are rules in writing for positioning the comma in relation to the conjunctive word “but.” But, when it comes to writing (thinking), I would be successful, but… The rule is to replace the comma with a period.  If you would be successful, do the things required.

Three Point Success Summary

SUCCESS THOUGHT: I once read that "It's not the work that's hard, it's the discipline." It is not enough to simply commit your success plan to paper.  You must commit to carrying out the actions that help achieve the goal. Commitment and self-discipline cannot be separated (even by a comma). Commitment is a mind (conscious decision) activity; self-discipline is the bodily (physical act) follow through. You simply do what you said you were going to do.

SUCCESS QUOTE: "In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves? Self-discipline with all of them came first."— Harry S. Truman

SUCCESS ACTION: Do the things required.

wn-tampa@att.net