by Dave Wine, President & CEO
I’d like to share a bit today on the subject of self-discipline. Or we could also say self-initiative, drive, or even passion. All of these are a part of mindfulness – paying attention to our thoughts and feelings, and when we have our greatest resources and strengths working well in our life. Here are some questions for your to “mindfully” consider:
- What time of day is your ‘best time’ for certain activities? When are you the most productive? When are you the most creative? When is it easiest to achieve your goals and tasks? (For example, I’m a morning person, while Sharon is an afternoon and even late night person!)
- What context (location, environment, etc.) feeds your self-discipline the most? (Some persons like coffee shops; others their office; others a home; garden setting; etc.)
- Further on context – what mood suits you the best? (I like solitude and quiet for my best work, so working at home fits my productivity well; Sharon likes people and hustle/bustle around her – that gives her energy – and if she can’t have that, then the music is always on. We are fed by different settings and moods – neither one being right or better – just different.)
- Who or what provides you the greatest energy? Maybe it is a fellow worker, a friend, something you read, listen to – anything that energizes you and helps you stay on track or inspires and increases your energy and passion. I personally keep quotations and readings at my desk to turn to at different times of the day to recharge.
Why is all of this related to mindfulness? Because true self-discipline (our ability to stay focused, perform, have initiative) comes to us best when we are self-aware of what nourishes us and when we are at our best. And being aware only comes to us from being mindful of what we are thinking and feeling in the moment. And being in the moment means taking time to pause, breathe, and reflect. Otherwise we are simply on auto-pilot. And self-discipline comes from being in the alignment and the flow of our lives – when we really are at our best. And MAX and we together succeed best when we are all in that flow. So I invite you to mindfully consider your “best times and contexts” for self-discipline and then plan your most important work and tasks around those times. Don’t forget, too, that reflection and mindfulness should also be incorporated into those ‘most productive times’ –it is not all about checking off tasks and ‘to do’ lists. Taking the time to be mindful will save time.
David Wine
David is the President and CEO of the MAX enterprise, having served in that capacity since its formation in 2001. He has forty plus years of leadership experience in the business and faith-based worlds, being an ordained minister, having been elected to the highest position in his denomination, and receiving numerous awards and recognition for his leadership in the insurance industry. He currently serves on numerous boards in the church and insurance sectors. His hobbies include hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing as well as being an avid reader. David and his wife, Sharon, have three daughters, a son, and four grandchildren.