Got Self-Discipline? 5/2/2013 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.  -- In the last few years, I've noticed that fitness has become more than just an activity. Today, more than ever in our armed forces, it has become a necessity, a requirement, and a lifestyle. Gone are the days when we could train a few months (weeks for some) out of the year, take a test, and regardless of score fill a square for the next year. With stricter guidelines and frequency of fitness evaluations in place, I find it's every individual's responsibility to meet these requirements head on and with confidence. Regardless of where we stand with our fitness endeavors, there is one common denominator to attaining a successful, passing fitness score and living a healthier lifestyle. Are you ready for this? It's not motivation, its self-discipline. Motivation is situational and reflects only our current set of circumstances and emotions. It may change from day-to-day. Wherever I go, I see people trying to get motivated to do something, to make a change. Some attend a conference. Others read books. Some buy a new workout machine. But, even in these instances of motivation -- they don't force you to act. You may not adhere to the guidelines reiterated at the conference, heed to the words in the book or even use the machine. The difference between motivation and self-discipline is the latter is consistent. Simply put, self-discipline is the ability to change or modify our actions for the sake of improvement. We all have areas where we are disciplined, such as Air Force Specialty Code proficiency or dedicated family time. Fitness is no exception. Here are some tips to create fitness self-discipline: 1. Get rid of the excuses! 2. Write a personal mission statement with goals and post them in three places (I call it my "vision board"): a. Bathroom mirror b. Near your front door c. Work center 3. Decide what behavior best reflects your mission statement 4. Make daily assessments of your actions/progress and modify your actions as needed 5. Commit to your mission statement and goals; know that only you can defeat yourself! So, in addition to those tips, below are some more tools to propel you from motivation to self-discipline: --"Fit for Duty" series - www.pentagonchannel.mil/ (perfect workouts for anyone needing personal instruction or wanting to take it to the next level) -- USAF Fit Family website - www.usaffitfamily.com/new-home. (Want a little inspiration? This site provides everything you need to know about nutrition, fitness and getting in shape as a family!) -- Operational Fitness Program - www.usafservices.com. (Detailed exercise plans for individuals of all fitness levels) A former president once said, "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." So, let's think of self-discipline as muscle that gets stronger each time we flex it!