When some professionals are under prolonged stress, they can get shaggy. You know, their lives are disorganized; they are out of control and are always behind. They look like one disheveled mess.

They won’t take care of themselves. They sacrifice themselves week after week, month after month, until there is nothing left of their energy, motivation or judgment. They look in the proverbial mirror and see they are unkempt but refuse to do anything about it.  

Like them, if you say you’re too busy to take care of yourself, then shame on you. You’re just not willing to step up and take responsibility for yourself. You’re unwilling to stay true to the disciplines that keep you healthy.

Other professionals assume responsibility for themselves. One partner works his schedule to make sure he gets to the gym several times a week, especially when he’s busy. Another begins his day with meditative reading, arising as early as necessary to do so. Another focuses on what she eats to resist the temptation of eating poorly. Another cleans his desk at the end of each day and won’t leave until he has done so. Another enters his time before shutting down his computer and will even reboot it if he forgets.  They all begin the next day with a fresh start.

I realize that those things aren’t life-changing, but they do matter. The importance of disciplines is they help stabilize your mind and your body during stressful times. Research has shown that engaging in routine practices has a calming effect on your brain, which reduces the adrenaline overload and relaxes your muscular system.

You have disciplines, too. But how many of them have you foregone because it was a long day? How many times have you given yourself a pass because you convinced yourself it didn’t really matter?

This week, renew a couple of you disciplines that you have allowed to become lax. Stay with them and allow them to keep you from getting too shaggy around the edges.