“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams.
THE POWER OF SELF-DISCIPLINE
It was just another day at the barbershop—my usual refuge for a quick trim, a good laugh, and sometimes, a moment of personal reflection. That day, I clutched a leadership development book that had been gathering dust on my nightstand for over two months. As I sat waiting for my turn, I heard the familiar, playful jibe from my barber, “Are you still reading that book?” His Vietnamese-accented tease echoed through the shop like a recurring theme in my soundtrack.
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and whisper, “Here we go again…” I thought, wishing he’d focus on my hair instead of critiquing my reading habits. But let’s be honest, sometimes the universe (and a nosy barber) knows exactly when you need a kick in the pants.
For weeks, his gentle ribbing became too much to bear until one day, I hatched a not-so-genius plan to silence him. I brought in a different book, hoping a change in literature might pacify his curiosity. It worked, and his comment fell silent. But as soon as I saw that new book, my conscience beeped louder than his chair’s buzzing clippers. I realized that my little ruse was only a temporary escape from my true challenge: embracing self-discipline.
It turns out, self-discipline isn’t merely about finishing books or dodging a barbershop comment—it’s about choosing what you want most over what you want right now. As Abraham Lincoln wisely said, “Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.”
That defining moment hit me hard. I was hurting enough that I had to change, and I embraced self-discipline with open arms (and maybe a few clumsy high-fives with my inner self). I made the conscious decision to stop procrastinating on my personal growth. I started by devoting uninterrupted time to my reading and learning, leading myself first so that I could one day lead others more effectively.
My mentor, Dr. John C. Maxwell, reminds us that:
“People change when they hurt enough that they have to, when they learn enough that they want to, or when they receive enough that they are able to.”
I fell squarely into that “hurt enough” category. It wasn’t just about the barber’s persistent teasing—it was a wake-up call. And as Harold Geneen once said, “Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.”
From that day forward, I committed to practicing self-discipline every single day. I learned that discipline is the price tag of leadership. It’s not the natural state for any of us, but self-discipline is the highest form of it because it’s a standard you set for yourself—no excuses allowed! And when discipline leads to habit, and habit leads to consistency, growth is inevitable.
Call to Action:
Reflect: When was the last time you had a “barbershop moment” that nudged you toward a positive change?
Share: Drop a comment with your funniest or most memorable moment when self-discipline finally kicked in for you.
