So being that this blog is called 'Patriotic Barbie' and I speak a lot about being a Marine's daughter, I do occasionally want to write about small ways that the Marine Corps has shaped my life and who I am. It actually has everything to do with who I am, but I'm saving that for my NY Times Bestseller :)
Today I want to briefly discuss how my parents drilled discipline into my brother and I. Jack and I have always been held accountable for our actions and we always knew what was expected of us. Essentially, there are 3 main approaches to discipline: 1) Character Discipline, 2) Physical Discipline, and 3) Mental Discipline. I don't think a day went by that Jack and I weren't disciplined on our actions related to the 2 kinds of discipline :) catch that ok?!
Character discipline substantially rely upon core values and leadership objectives. From a very early age, I can recall my dad speaking to me and saying things that built up my core values. I was reminded of one today--one of my management professors was talking about culture in a company or corporation. She compared a boss keeping their word to their employees, to her friend always saying "Thank you" but never giving anything back. Now these are not related!! Obviously a boss should keep their promises that they make to employees. But if you do something nice for your friend and they always say thank you but never give anything back, oh well! You shouldn't do good things just to get something in return or just to get recognition for it. My dad has ALWAYS drilled this into our brains. You do good things out of the goodness of your heart and when no one is looking. Of course the Marine Corps' 3 core values are Honor, Courage, & Commitment. These three values should be in every person. I try my best to live by them and to keep my integrity and character.
Physical discipline is a BIG deal to me! I definitely credit my physical discipline to my father. Clearly, a Marine should be in good physical shape. Whether you're walking on the beach or carrying 70 pounds of gear 21 miles, it takes toughness to be a Marine. My dad always had perfect or near perfect PFTs. He worked out 3 times a day, but not in the weightlifting way. My dad is a pretty scrawny guy (should I say was since he's retired?! Shhh) and he always did non-gym workouts-pullups, pushups, crunches, cherry pickers, running, etc. When I was younger, Jack and I would do sit-ups and other exercises as little competitions! We made working out and being active fun! That is key. It's hard to workout when you don't enjoy it. I carry his physical discipline with me today. When I don't feel like working out, I just make myself! It's always worth it in the end. And when you don't think you're strong enough for something, work harder!! You can do ANYthing you put your mind to...for realz!!
Okay, I'm not gonna lie--I started to get a little sloppy and disorganized in my writing at the end haha I know this is kind of a long post, but I hope you took the time to read it and think about the discipline that you have in your life...
Take care and stay disciplined ;)
Discipline is the backbone of personal and professional growth. This insightful post underscores the pivotal role discipline plays in shaping character and achieving goals. The analogy of discipline as a bridge connecting aspirations to accomplishments is both powerful and motivating. It resonates deeply with the idea that consistency and self-control pave the way for success. Right brain exercise As we navigate life's challenges, embracing discipline becomes a compass guiding us toward fulfillment. Thanks for this reminder of the transformative power of discipline—it's the key to unlocking our full potential.
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