I’m a Guy Fieri fan but this is a different sort of “triple D”.
It’s about committing to something for the long haul, doing what it takes to achieve it, and mastering the art and science of being “in the zone”.
Power Acronym 52: D.D.D.
Dedication
Dedication sets the stage. Establishes the game to be played.
I wrote about Dedication many times before, most recently here.
Dedication is from the late 14th century dedicacioun, "action of consecrating to a deity or sacred use," from Old French dedicacion "consecration of a church or chapel”.
Whereas to commit, meant to "to give in charge, entrust," around the same time period.
In the 1530s it was to "trust (oneself) completely to;”
To me, I think the usable nuance is that Dedication has more to do with a quest in service to a higher purpose than it does with a personal endeavor.
In the 1600s, Dedication was understood to mean "the giving of oneself to some purpose”.
It's like commitment is immersion where dedication is a proclamation.
Every moment of every day is asking us what we’re dedicated to.
How are your actions answering that question?
Discipline
The actions connected to our dedication should lead to a disciplined effort.
I love the three aspects of discipline I learned in the Heroic Coach program.
Structural
Structural discipline is the set of habits you put in place to set yourself up for success in the domains of your energy, work, and love.
It’s about intentional action around what and when you eat, sleep, move, start and end work, and transition from work mode and into full presence with your friends and family.
Reactive
Reactive discipline is the actions you take when you face resistance or the unexpected. How do you calm your mind and properly respond?
See Remember, you don’t control what happens, you control how you respond.
Expansive
This aspect of discipline is about getting used to being uncomfortable because it is the path toward growth. Consistently placing ourselves just beyond our previous limit is what spurs muscle growth and endurance.
For me, that means training when I don’t feel like it or pushing for a faster pace or longer distance. Or spending the extra time to plan my work week or push to make that extra call or 10. Or committing to leaving my phone and creating some time to intentionally connect with Chelsey.
What does a stretch outside your comfort zone look like?
Dance
One way I’m having fun with the alphabetical Power Acronyms is by being creative with how each connects with the other. When one is Dedicated and Disciplined, what’s next?
The Dance is where we play. It’s the flow state, as Steven Kotler talks about in his book The Rise of Superman.
It’s the point where we have achieved the balance of skill and challenge that gives rise to our next level of performance. It’s the “out-of-body experience”, where our commitment and training meet the challenge with grace and ease.
It is Wu-Wei.
Wu Wei (Woo-Way) is Chinese for non-doing or non-action. But this literal translation conveys a false sense of laziness. Wu Wei is not about doing nothing. Rather, it’s about doing things more effortlessly.
What D would you add?
Power Acronym Daily
Daily acronyms to encourage, enrich, and empower.