Building Discipline: The Good, The Bad, and The Sleepy

Posted byDarrion “Theatrics” NarinePosted inThe Spectacular Views of Darrion Narine

The difficulties with building new habits.

Ah, discipline. It’s that magic word that often feels like a secret spice the everybody wants in their pantry. We all desire to have it. Few master it. And many of us can’t seem to catch it, much like good service at your favourite fast food restaurant —always just a bit out of reach. What does it really take to build discipline, especially when trying to adopt new habits that increase our brain’s adaptability and potential?

The Science of Starting Strong (and Smart)

Firstly, let’s talk about brain plasticity. This isn’t about your brain getting into yoga (though imagine the mental image), but rather its ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences. When you start a new habit, you’re essentially rewiring your brain. Neuroscientists like to say, “Neurons that fire together, wire together,” meaning the more you perform a task, the stronger the pathways in your brain become. Starting that 6am run? You’re not just torturing yourself for fun; you’re paving a neural superhighway.

Environment: Setting the Stage for Success

However, environment is key. It’s hard to make that 6am run if your shoes are hidden under a pile of clothes, your running path is lit worse than a power outage in the middle of a party, or if you live with a bunch of night owls who think bedtime is just a suggestion. Setting up a conducive environment is critical. That might mean laying out your running gear the night before (yes, even the socks), finding a well-lit route, or even investing in some ear muffs to block out the nocturnal sounds of family or roommates gaming with howler monkeys till dawn. (That may be a bit exaggerated but you get the point.)

The Company You Keep

Speaking of family and friends, the company you keep can either be a wind beneath your wings or a handbrake on your efforts. It’s tough to cut back on the late-night pelau if everyone around you is still up playing all-fours and having a lime. Finding a community or even one accountability partner who shares your goals can turn the tide in your favour (or at least share your pain at waking up when the only reasonable activity should be dreaming).

Habit Stacking: The Domino Effect

Let’s not forget about the power of habit stacking. If your goal is that vexing 6am run, consider what habits are setting you up for failure. Hitting the hay at 3am because you’ve fallen down a YouTube rabbit hole watching old Soca Monarch finals? Not helpful. Instead, build a night time routine that promotes better sleep. Maybe wind down with a book (yes, those things with pages) instead of a screen. Start dimming the lights earlier, maybe practice some light stretching or meditation to signal to your body that it’s time to shut down. Each small, positive habit builds on the next, creating a cascade of good decisions.

The Rocky Road of Resistance

Now, let’s be real: It’s not all smooth running (pun intended). Building discipline is often a two-steps-forward, one-step-back dance. You’ll face setbacks, like that morning when the rain sounds so sweet on the roof that leaving bed should be a crime. Or when your running app congratulates you on your slowest time yet. In my opinion, laugh at your setbacks, share your ‘failures’ with a joke and a smile, and remember: every run can’t be a Personal Best unless you’re Usain in disguise.

In Conclusion: Keep On Keeping On

Building discipline is like preparing a good curry duck —necessary, occasionally frustrating, but oh-so-satisfying when everything comes together. Remember, the journey to discipline is a marathon, not a sprint. Adjust your environment, choose your company wisely, stack your habits, and always, always keep your sense of humor handy.

So here’s to improving our brains, one disciplined step at a time. You might not be perfect, but hey, at least you’re trying and I will be cheering for you!

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Published by Darrion “Theatrics” Narine

Darrion M. Narine was born in Trinidad and Tobago but considers himself to be a global citizen. He is a social development specialist and a performing artiste. He is currently the programme manager of the Archdiocese’s Ministry for Migrants, working alongside UN agencies and grassroots organizations in Trinidad and Tobago to cater towards the educational, psychosocial, health and physiological needs of over 30,000 migrants and refugees. Darrion was also the chair of the CHOGM CYF taskforce responsible for executing the Commonwealth Youth Forum in Kigali, Rwanda in June 2022. He managed a 21-member taskforce made up of people from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The taskforce was responsible for the planning, programme development and execution of the CHOGM CYF 2022 which hosted over 500 delegate from across the globe. His work in these fields have allowed him to develop his resource mobilization skills since he has been able to raise additional money for the support of several projects. which he manages. Additionally, Darrion was the former Vice Chairperson for Inclusion and Engagement on the Commonwealth Youth Council, which serves 1.2 billion youth across the globe. His work focused on youth development, global socio-economic development and global social policy development. During his tenure he was able to launch and co-partner on several programmes. He co-founded the RACE campaign which allowed for healthy conversations around race and race relations. He was also a key founding director of the Youth Voice Matters campaign which promoted the increase in youth political participation. He holds a BSc in Psychology (Special) with a minor in Theatre Arts and a MA in Cultural Studies from the University of the West Indies (U.W.I). He is the former President of the U.W.I Guild of Students 2018/19, where he represented the students at all major university meetings and external advocacy movements and is a National Youth Award recipient for Leadership from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. In addition to this, he was a board member on the Global Coalition for Youth Employment (under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and National Service) and has served as a board member on the Chancellor’s Commission on Governance for the University of the West Indies reviewing the University’s governance structures and making recommendations for overall improvement of its systems and operations. Darrion is also a cultural advocate, poet , writer and performer. He has taught techniques in performance, public speaking drama and networking to hundreds of young people across Trinidad and Tobago. He has also done skills development training at various schools across the country and region. Furthermore, he is an actor with DCShell Theatre, a singer, a poet and a writer. He has a collection of music and poetry and has performed across the globe. He believes strongly that education is liberation, and the key to a progressive population.

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