NESSA’S NOTIONS: Got discipline? Likely more than you think
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By VANESSA W. SNYDER
Saturdays.
They’ve taken on a whole new meaning as I work through this huge writing project. I’m calling it a huge writing project because, ultimately, that’s what it is.
(Speaking of writing, I thought I was pretty good before this process; but I digress. That’s a different blog.)
Here’s what happens on Saturdays. I “sleep in” until 7 or 8 a.m. Yes, that’s sleeping in for me now that I’m older. Then I write until 10 a.m. before breaking for breakfast with Deron and our regular call to my mother-in-law.
I resume writing between 11:30 a.m. and noon and keep at it until about 4 or 5 p.m. (with small breaks). That happens every Saturday without fail.
I actually look forward to it because that’s the day when I can get a great deal of work done without interruption.
So, what I have discovered about myself as each Saturday is spent writing all day?
I’m more disciplined than I thought. I have started and stopped so many things in my life that I never consider myself a person of discipline. However, I’ve been tackling this dissertation for about three years now, steadily working, especially on Saturdays.
So, the lesson is I’m disciplined when I decide it’s worth my time.
How about you?
What things do you manage to do, no matter what? What about those things you want to do – or so you say – but haven’t quite started yet?
Even as I sit here writing this blog, I recognize the commitment to be disciplined in this moment. It’s exciting to know I can stick with something and reach a long-wanted to goal.
Right now, it’s still difficult to imagine being done with this journey. But if I remain disciplined, I believe I’ll ultimately get there.
And I bet you, too, have more discipline than you imagine.
(A former journalist currently working on her doctorate in Social Emotional Learning, Vanessa is a dedicated and passionate educator in the DC Public Schools system. She loves learning, leadership, innovation, collaboration, and discovering new ways to drive student gains and support staff members.)
