Discipline—self-discipline, that is—is the fifth tool in my FREEDOM toolbox—7 tools for making the most of our time so we can live balanced, peaceful lives. Here’s a quick overview of the tools:

* Focus
* Reflect
* Educate
* Eliminate
* Discipline
* Organize
* Multitask

Self-discipline is a major factor in how you exercise stewardship over the gifts and responsibilities God has given you—including how you manage your time. It's the tool you use to implement the priorities that you've decided to focus on and to eliminate the time-consuming clutter that gets in the way of your goals.

In episode 11 of the "Flourish At Home" show, we talked about setting goals for focusing on your priorities in three major areas: (1) personal, (2) family, and (3) business. Those three categories are also helpful for considering the areas where you need to exercise self-discipline.
Personal
Self-discipline helps you avoid the false guilt that moms often suffer when you take care of yourself wisely and avoid the true guilt that comes with self-indulgence and laziness.

To be able to handle all of your responsibilities, it's essential to make time for personal rest, renewal, and recreation. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, exercising, eating right, and drinking plenty of water.

Another personal area that requires self-discipline is managing your attitudes and emotions. Work hard to overcome fear, perfectionism, discontentment, self-righteousness, and negativity. If this is a tough challenge for you, episode 9 goes into greater detail on how to honor God with your thoughts, attitudes, and emotions as well as your actions.
Family
Freedom and flexibility are wonderful benefits of homeschooling, but you have to be careful not to abuse that freedom. Whatever your state's regulations on homeschooling, you are accountable to God for how you train and educate your children.

It's also important to train your children to become increasingly self-disciplined as they grow older. Learning good habits such as diligence, obedience, responsibility, and promptness will help them throughout their lives.
Business
Self-discipline is essential for entrepreneurs. After all, freedom to do things your own way, on your own schedule, is a major benefit of having your own business. Without the built-in accountability of reporting to an employer, you must be diligent to work hard and honor your commitments to your customers and clients.

If you want struggle with managing your time and disciplining yourself to focus on yoru priorities, you'll find many more helpful strategies, along with encouragement and inspiration, in my book, Flourish: Balance for Homeschool Moms. It’s available on my blog at www.