HAVING discussed a number of attributes that lead to success in sports in the previous editions of this column, it is now time to look at the most important trait that has propelled most accomplished athletes reach the climax in their careers.
Though overlooked, self discipline is exceptionally the most important attribute needed to achieve any type of personal excellence, athletic excellence or otherwise outstanding performance.
Athletes cannot be masters of their own sport if they are not disciplined because one’s ultimate destiny entirely hinges on this characteristic.
Self discipline is simply being able to turn down immediate pleasure and instant gratification in favor of gaining the long-term satisfaction and fulfillment from achieving higher and more meaningful goals.
Without discipline, no personal success, achievement, or goal, can be realised but to possess it, one has to be able to make constructive decisions, take actions, and execute the game plan regardless of the obstacles, discomfort, or difficulties that may come in one’s way.
Some of the most talented athletes that Zambia has ever produced have fallen by the way side, all because they lacked discipline.
Even some of our best professional athletes have fallen prey to the temptation or urge to go out and party, which has ended many promising careers early.
There is an old saying that ‘nothing good can happen to a person if they are out past midnight’. Social life is essential for anyone but one needs to be disciplined as they hand out.
Being self disciplined is learning how to focus the mind and energies on the goals and persevere until the targets are accomplished. It is also the cultivating of a mindset such that an athlete is driven by deliberate choices as opposed to emotions, bad habits or peer pressure.
Athletes, who are self discipline, have reached their goals in a reasonable time frame and lived more orderly and satisfying lives.
In Zambia today, one thing that we cannot take away from our soccer icon Kalusha Bwalya, is the self disciplined he has exhibited from his hey days as a player in the national team to his football administration role.
Knowing how short the sporting career spans, Kalusha is a living example who should inspire many athletes.
At 40, Kalu could still play football and even score crucial goals as was the case in the 2006 World Cup qualifier match against Liberia.
During his time as player, Kalusha who was named 1988 Africa-Footballer-of-the-Year, never accumulated a red card for any offense on the pitch but was only sent off as Chipolopolo coach for merely protesting the referee’s poor officiating.
Today, he is widely acclaimed on the African soils and beyond for his contributions to the game of football and he has continued to serve the country as Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president.
Kalusha is just one of the few sports personalities to have lived disciplined and exemplary lives throughout their careers.
One thing that prompted me to bring this topic to the fore is the fact that even the Government has observed the alarming levels of indiscipline in our athletes.
During the 2014 MTN awards held in Kitwe recently, Sports Minister Vincent Mwale, who graced the occasion expressed concern over the dwindling levels of discipline in our athletes and stressed the need for players to refrain from vices that bring down performance levels.
The minister said, “I would like urge all of you (players) to remain disciplined in your careers, I get surprised that in Europe, someone can play up to the ages 35 or 40 years but our players get tired and retire at 30 years.
We need to refrain from illicit sex and excess consumption of alcohol in order to prolong our careers.”
This was a timely call by a man whose ministry oversees the affairs of sports in the country and it will be important for all stakeholders to take this call seriously.
Athletes can therefore develop self discipline by taking a few precautions in life. While it takes a bit of time for one to change the attitude, the more one practices good habits, the more they begin to embrace positive characteristics gradually.
Sometimes it may prove difficult to let go of the bad desire but one has to know their stronger and weaker points and devise mechanisms of avoiding things that may pull them down in their quest to get to the top.
To avoid daily pressures of bad habits, a daily routine of good practices can help in attaining self discipline and learning to say ‘no’ to impulses, feelings and urges is critical.
One must train themselves to do what they know is right even if they may not like to do it. The ‘stop and think before you act’ principle is important because it allows people to think about consequences before they engage in behaviors.
Getting inspiration from great players in history can also helps athletes to develop self discipline.
For instance, Kalusha has always maintained that his greatness as a football star came as much from his willingness to work hard.
It was his desire through discipline and focus that made him one of the most idolised players on the continent. If it worked for him, it could certainly work for anyone.
Having a vision can also be vital. There is nothing more gratifying for an athlete than attaining the targets. Athletes should therefore have a vision of how rewarding and beneficial it could be if they get to the top.
Self discipline can also spill over to other areas of life and once someone develops it, it never ceases to manifest in them.
The burning desire of self discipline will always be inside of us and the only thing that will change is that at some point we tend to hang up our boots, racket or gloves and continue excelling at the game of life.
Our athletes need self discipline so dearly that they have to commit their time in preparation to maximise their performance in respective sports. They should understand that if they have the discipline to do what it takes to improve and excel, rewards will follow.
Coaches must therefore take a leading role in inculcating values of self discipline in our athletes. For those that have maintained this important trait, they should be proud of themselves because very few athletes have it.
For comments: moseschimfwembe@gmail.com