2024 has been a transformative one for me. Through my spiritual education and journey, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of discipline, not as a relentless push to extremes but as a balanced approach that values effort and surrender. Even though I’m still struggling with the surrender part, this meditation or post shows you how this perspective has reshaped how I view success, not just in fitness but in every area of life as a whole.
There’s a common modern mantra when it comes to chasing success—whether in the gym, relationships, or life. If you aren’t prepared to ‘go hard’, don’t bother, or the good old ‘Go Hard or Go Home.” And while intensity has its place, relying solely on 100% effort daily isn’t sustainable. Burnout becomes inevitable, progress stalls, and you’re left questioning if the sacrifice was worth it. Something the bible or a lot of the good philosophers teach us. Even Leonardo Da Vinci is known to have said, ‘Men of Genius sometimes work best when they work least.’
So here is the honest truth, and something I like to say a lot these days: perfect practice makes permanent. We must slow down, embrace discipline over extremity, and prioritise skilful, intentional efforts to excel.
After spending plenty of time in the Bible lately, I have learned a lot of lessons to apply to the everyday runnings of life. One main thing I have picked up is how the Bible beautifully illustrates the principle of patience and disciplined effort over extremes. Creation itself was a process—a balance of work and rest. Genesis 2:2 reminds us, saying, “By the seventh day, God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.”
Even God—the Creator of the universe—demonstrated the need for rest amongst the big task of creation. Success wasn’t about rushing or endlessly grinding but about intentional work followed by renewal.
In strength and conditioning, daily pushing to 100% intensity leads to diminishing returns. You’re exhausted, your form breaks down, and the risk of injury skyrockets. Even during the tough weeks of training, it is worth it. Instead, focusing on skill mastery—breaking down movements, practising patience, and refining technique—leads to long-term gains. Olympic lifters do this the best. They spend countless hours perfecting their technique with submaximal weights. Why? Because perfect form under less stress builds muscle memory, allowing them to succeed when the stakes are highest. Their discipline in practice leads to greatness on the platform. And all good athletes take Rest Days one to 2 times per week,
Intensity doesn’t work in relationships, either. The initial spark of passion might feel thrilling, but sustaining a meaningful connection requires steady effort, patience, and intentionality. My wife, Madison, and I have been together for over 10 years. I always joke with people about how early in our relationship, I’d stay up late and wake up early to be with her, running on the adrenaline of new love. But as years passed, I realised that true love isn’t about burning the candle at both ends. Good luck getting me to stay up past 8 pm this day or giving up reading at 4 am for anything. These days, it is about showing up daily with discipline—being present, intentional, and consistent. That’s what builds a lasting bond. Not early-morning or late-night entertainment.
The biggest thing worth learning here is that Success Takes Time; you must be willing to Embrace the Journey. Whether fitness, relationships, or personal growth, the key to success is embracing the journey. Just as Jesus endured suffering before the resurrection, our paths to rebirth and renewal often come with discomfort. But through discipline, patience, and faithful practice, success becomes inevitable. Hebrews 12:11 puts it perfectly: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those trained by it. ”Discipline doesn’t just apply to the gym; it’s a principle for life. By focusing on small, deliberate steps, we build the foundation for lasting success.
This past year, through my spiritual education and journey, I’ve deepened my understanding of discipline. One of the most profound lessons has been recognising the balance between effort and surrender. Faith teaches us that while action is necessary, so is patience. It’s not about forcing outcomes but trusting in the process while staying consistent.
I’ve learned that discipline reflects faith—faith in ourselves, others, and the bigger picture. Whether it’s the discipline to refine skills in the gym, communicate better in relationships, or stay steadfast in spiritual growth, it all comes back to intentional, perfect practice.
By viewing it this way, I’ve also come to appreciate rest as an essential part of creation (again, I’m still working on this). However, realising it’s not a break from progress but a part of it has helped me approach challenges with greater patience and resilience, knowing that every effort—no matter how small—is part of a bigger plan, and really passing this information on when people want a bigger, more substantial answer to how to achieve more.
But also another example of patience is the Bible’s constant reference to a time frame of 40. The Israelites’ journey through the wilderness lasted 40 years (Deuteronomy 8:2-3). Jesus fasted for 40 days and took 40 days to return after his death; other New and Old Testament stories refer to a time frame of 40. This period wasn’t about aimless wandering; it was a time of preparation, learning, and a reliance on faith in God. These references and experiences teach us that transformation requires sacrifice, patience, and endurance. It’s not about sprinting but steadily moving forward with purpose over more time than expected.
So here are some Practical Steps for including Patience and Perfect Practice into your routine:
- Set Clear Goals: Know what you’re working toward, whether mastering a lift, improving communication in a relationship, or growing spiritually.
- Prioritise Quality Over Quantity: Focus on doing fewer things better. Whether it’s a workout or a conversation, aim for excellence in the moment, movement or execution over who is doing it faster, better or completing the task quicker.
- Rest and Recover: Just as God rested on the seventh day, we must build recovery into our routines. Burnout isn’t a badge of honour. Take the downtime. Also, the body keeps the score. I don’t know who said it, but the saying goes like this: ‘You have a choice: either you take a break yourself, or your mind and body will do it for you.’
- Embrace Patience (like really being patient): Transformation doesn’t happen overnight. Trust the process and focus on consistent, disciplined effort. If you can’t do that, you have a problem that really does need to be resolved.
Success isn’t about going 100% all the time. I know we hear it from David Goggins, the stories about Elon Musk, and many more, but for the majority, it is about steady, intentional progress—building strength, skill, and resilience through perfect practice. Whether you’re lifting weights, nurturing relationships, or pursuing personal growth, the principles of discipline, patience, and balance will always trump extremes.
As Philippians 4:13 reminds us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” But even this strength is built over time through faithful and disciplined effort. So slow down, breathe, and commit to the process. True success is worth the wait. So slow down, practise, be patient, and Become Extraordinary.