This week we will wind down our month long series on Self-discipline.
We’ve talked about taking time out for yourself. You cannot take care of those who mean the most to you if you do not take care of yourself.  Self-care Disciplines: Time for Self

We’ve talked about the importance of your physical well-being and ways in which you can get physical activity every day.  Self-care Disciplines:  Physical Wellness

In week 3 we talked about the importance of healthy food choices and how your food choices effect your moods.  Self-care Disciplines: Food Matters

Last week we looked at the real truth behind relaxing and renewing.  Self-care Disciplines: Relax and Renew

So, you have all this great information and I hope you’ve put things into action. But, how will you maintain the action you’ve decided to take? What will keep this from being like so many other times of knowing what you need to do, even starting the process of change, but not allowing your busy world to get you side tracked?

“Every woman that finally figured out her worth, has picked up her suitcases of pride and boarded a flight to freedom, which landed in the valley of change.” Sharon L. Alder

Two things are a must in order to maintain what you start and to have a healthy you:
1.) Healthy Boundaries
2.) Healthy Accountability

Healthy boundaries are needed in every area of your life, but should not be implemented all at one time. Where boundaries have been absent, it can be hard to adhere to them. Thus, it is not wise to try and implement a bunch all at once.  “No” is a basic boundary setting word.

[Tweet ““No” is a complete sentence.” ~ Anne Lamott”]

Determine your 2 greatest areas of need in the self-care disciplines we have discussed. Pick one change in each area. Determine what your boundaries are that have the greatest chance of keeping you on track towards your needed life changes.

Seek a minimum of 2 trusted accountability partners. People you trust, but also people who will be upfront and honest with you. Not people who will simply tell you what you want to hear.

Make sure these folks have the time to help you stay accountable. Share your boundaries with them. Discuss together what accountability will look like. Get specific. Which one of you will do the calling and /or texting? How many times a week?

Put as much accountability in place as you need to give yourself the best possible chance of success.

“Boundaries” is one of my signature topics to speak on and work with clients on. I know first hand what can happen in a life where boundaries are not given required priority. I also know that boundaries are easy to speak about and, likewise, it can even be easy to determine what boundaries are needed and put them into place. Practical execution however is not easy at all.

The going will get tough and one’s ability to stay strong in the tough times can be very difficult. Even with the best accountability partners a person can choose to slack and not follow through. I hope this doesn’t happen to you, but you should not go into new boundaries assuming they will be easy to stick to.

Determining proper boundaries and staying the course are one of the greatest reasons people hire life coaches. Please send me a note if I can answer any questions for you in this regard.  Email Coach Deb

Let this scripture encourage you as you consider the healthy boundaries you need in your life….

Philippians 4:8 ~ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

This article is being written just a couple of days beyond Easter.  Appropriately, I would like to share – Jesus knew his destiny and He hoped for another solution, but He knew there was no other way.  The ultimate model of self-discipline.