Post Incarceration syndrome (PICS) and its maladies are a negative voice in the mind of those it effects.
What I have noticed from personal experience is that the cluster of maladies that make up my PICS begin like soft rain and if not tended to build up to a full storm. The rain usually starts after I have foregone for some time, which can be as short as a few days or as long as a week or two, the daily self-care routine which I developed during my 25 years of incarceration.
Self discipline is key to staving off the rain and preventing the storm. But, what is self-discipline and how does it help?
Self-discipline is a reinforcing process. The more disciplined you become the more you achieve.
Self-discipline is the grit that gives you the persistence you need to be successful in any life endeavor. Persistence is a combination of passion and perseverance. A systematic process of; effort, evaluation, and adjustment.
Self discipline transforms a deficiency into efficiency and/or sufficiency.
There are five components of self discipline which must be utilized to maintain and sustain your success and excellence. They are;
- PASSION. You have to be passionate about what you are doing. What you are doing ought to drive your passion. This requires you ask yourself often “Am I truly committed”
- PLAN. You have to plan out what your doing and why. In addition you must have a plan of action; how you will carry-out your plan.
- EVALUATE. You have to consistently and constantly gauge where you are, what works and does not work.
- MODIFY. You have to change and/or adjust those things that do not work. This also applies to the effort and energy you put towards your goals and plans. At times you may need to go harder than others.
- SUPPORT. You have to find ways and means to support your goals and plans. For example, this website can be a means of support in staying positive along your journey and a key to healing-by Akili