Tuesday's Talk

“Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.”

— Jim Collins

Pause here. Take a moment to regulate your breath:

Inhale deeply... exhale slowly...Bring your full awareness to this present moment... Center yourself... Be here—fully.

As a coach, I invite you to reflect:

Who are you being in this moment?
What values are you embodying?
What does success look like for you, from a place of alignment and authenticity?

Greatness is not accidental—it is intentional. It flows from clarity, commitment, and conscious action. This mirrors what we understand in coaching: awareness precedes choice, and choice precedes transformation.

Now, consider your self-discipline—the inner resource that allows you to honor your values, stay aligned with your vision, and hold yourself accountable, even in the face of discomfort or resistance.

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your current level of self-discipline?

What would move you one point higher on that scale?

Drawing from Brent Gleeson's work and aligned with the ICF’s Core Competencies, here are eight powerful strategies to strengthen your self-discipline muscle:

Develop Self-Awareness (Competency 2: Embodies a Coaching Mindset)
Know your triggers, blind spots, and areas of resistance. Self-awareness allows for more conscious choices and expands your presence.
Manage Environment and Energy (Competency 4: Cultivates Trust and Safety)
Set yourself up for success. Create an environment that supports your commitments and minimizes distractions.
Clarify the Vision (Competency 7: Evokes Awareness)
Be crystal clear about your goals. Create a compelling future that inspires you. Use powerful questions to reconnect with your "why."
Create Daily Practices (Competency 8: Facilitates Client Growth)
Discipline is sustained through repetition. What rituals, structures, or accountability systems will support your desired behavior?
Break It Down (Competency 6: Listens Actively)
Start small. Recognize and celebrate incremental progress. Listen deeply to what your body, mind, and intuition are telling you along the way.
Reframe Limitations (Growth Mindset)
Challenge the narrative around “limited willpower.” What if your capacity is expanding every time you lean in?
Establish Contingency Plans (Resilience Building)
Plan for the inevitable setbacks with agility. Create new paths forward rather than seeing obstacles as endpoints.
Partner with a Coach or Mentor (Competency 3: Establishes and Maintains Agreements)
Support is not a weakness—it’s a strategy. Who is holding space for your expansion and helping you stretch beyond your current edges?

And finally—forgiveness and forward momentum. In coaching, we understand that growth is nonlinear. Self-compassion is just as crucial as accountability. Reflect. Learn. Recommit.