I am Dr. Hassan, a Board-Certified Physiatrist and Independent Practice Owner. I help physiatrists start and grow their own profitable practices so they can achieve financial independence and live without limits.
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At first glance, self-discipline might seem to be the exact opposite of personal freedom. Discipline makes people think of punishment. If you don’t follow strict rules, you will be disciplined somehow. That’s hardly a path to more liberty and freedom.
Unless your idea of embracing free will means being lazy and lethargic, you probably have achievements and experiences you would like to realize. We all do. These are the things that give our life purpose. They are attached to our values and belief systems. We make daily decisions according to these influences.
To understand how self-discipline can lead to more personal freedom, you need to look no further than the most common yet unsung heroes today … moms and dads.
Parents sacrifice their own lives for the betterment of their children. This requires incredible self-discipline. Given the freedom to make choices and decisions, parents discipline themselves so that their needs and desires take a backseat to those of their kids.
This simple example of self-discipline leads to freedom of choice and a more fulfilling life. The parent experiences so much joy and happiness by freely accepting a disciplined life where the needs of their children are addressed first and foremost.
How Self-Discipline Rewards You with Personal Freedom over Time
A young man crunches the numbers. He looks at his life and his earning potential. His calculations tell him that if he devotes himself to his job for the next 15 and 20 years, he can retire long before most people do. His wealth will be such that he can enjoy personal freedom for the last 40 or 50 years.
Embracing a disciplined life doesn’t have to be unrewarding in the short term. In this example, the man planning an early retirement is happy. He knows he is sticking to a plan to give him substantial long-term rewards in autonomy and personal freedom.
Short-term or Long-Term Personal Freedom Often Requires Sacrifice
Discipline and sacrifice are closely related. The smart eater chooses healthy alternatives to junk food most of the time. His reward is excellent physical and mental health. He sacrifices the short-term reward of empty calories and fast food, which trigger a release of feel-good hormones and chemicals, for the long-term benefits of a healthier diet.
Whether you desire short-term or long-term rewards or fulfillment, you might have to embrace self-discipline. You decide to choose habits and behaviors that may require sacrifices of some kind but lead to personal fulfillment in areas of your life that are very important to you.
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Once you’ve decided that you want to leave your current job to start your practice, you need an exit plan. Check out our blog post here for tips on developing an exit plan and starting your new independent practice.
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I’m Dr. Hassan, a Board-Certified Physiatrist and Independent Practice Owner. I help physiatrists start and grow their own profitable practices so they can achieve financial independence and live without limits. Please go to businessofrehab.com/contractnegotiations to pick up the free guide to help you negotiate the contract of your dreams.
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Attention, Physiatrists! Stop leaving money on the table. Sign up for the free video series: How To Build A Profitable Practice in 90 Days or Less: http://www.sixtytosuccess.com
