Temptation doesn't always show up in the form of a desirable object like a chocolate chip cookie. Sometimes your biggest temptation is your own mind persuading you to lower your standard. Sometimes it’s pressure you feel — real or perceived, directly or indirectly — from a relationship or group.
There’s a private side to your discipline that’s just for you. There’s also a public side too.
The private side of discipline is what you do that no one pays attention to or sees. The public side of discipline is what you do that people pay attention to and see. Each comes with unique challenges.
Private discipline is challenging because in those solitary moments it’s easy to justify just about anything. Excuses are easier to make when no one will know.
Public discipline is challenging because your standards set expectations. People are watching to see if you’ll live up to them. In those exposed moments it can be easy to give in to pressure. The eyes of a crowd or urging from a friend can pull you away from standards you had every intention to follow through on.
Sometimes you eat the chocolate chip cookie because no one is there to see it. Sometimes you only eat it because you were offered and everyone else is already enjoying one.
You are constantly being tested. To be your best, you need to win in private and public moments. Some challenges to your discipline are unavoidable, whether they come from within you or from a relationship. Pass the test. Win the challenge.
Answer the call. Do the work.
PS - True Story: I’m on an airplane as I write this and the flight attendant just presented me with an array of snacks to eat, including double chocolate chip cookies. I chose the lightly salted pack of almonds instead. Test passed. Challenge won. Life is funny like that sometimes.
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