Splatting Dragons

Looking back, January seems quite uneventful. Big highlights though was the late Messy Breakfast Team Christmas Dinner (one of the leaders had accidentally bought an extra turkey!), eldest nailing an audition to study musical theatre at college, a lovely date night with my wife, and going to an "assembly bangers" event at a nearby church!

Youngest got the day off school anyway because his school’s way out in the country. Eldest had to go in and did NOT take the news well!

The garage opened too and I was able to drop the car in, but unfortunately the part they needed to fix my wing mirror couldn’t arrive because of the snow, so I need to book in again when it arrives. The lady who hit the wing mirror is upset with me for agreeing to repairs without her okaying the cost, but my argument is that I have a right to use my usual garage who I trust. Suspect this might drag on a bit.

Wife was wfh today too, so this morning we both worked in the living room. It was nice to have company!

The snow has done nothing to help with my feelings of general sleepiness though. On both Tuesday and Wednesday I had a little nap after work, and still I’ve struggled to get up in the mornings. This morning everybody was desperate to stay in bed!

Youngest has had a much better few days in terms of going to school, especially this morning. He never could get the hang of Thursdays (a teacher shouted at him once on a Thursday) but this morning, despite a few panic attacks earlier in the morning, he just waltzed straight on to the school bus. He’s convinced school will be closed tomorrow with the snow. I hope he’s right!

Tuesday night was the first choir back of the year. It’s not a serious choir but we sounded like we knew what we were doing, and it was nice to revisit songs that weren’t Christmas songs. Afterwards though, eldest told me they had two full maths papers due in the next morning, so guess what we were doing until half midnight!

On Wednesday night wife and I went to McDonald’s for a silly date, to try the surf and turf from the secret menu. Personally I found the fillet overpowered the burger, so it was just a fillet-o-fish with extra protein. I wish I’d gone for the chicken Big Mac now!

I rang the garage about the car repair, they’ve ordered the part and it’s going in on Friday. Lady who swiped my wing mirror is being weird though, asking me to get other quotes and things which I’m not going to do.

Got scammed today though. One of those internet things where you think you’re paying a couple of quid but in the small print is a subscription for £25 a month. Didn’t notice until the £25 went out of my bank account. I feel stupid!

I did get my hammer out today though and fix some of the conservatory roof slats that had slid down, and we had a constructive PCC meeting at church in the evening.

I’d put together the church service for today, looking at trust illustrated in the story of the wise men, and at the same time doing a silly whodunnit where the congregation could solve clues to eliminate suspects from our enquiries. To be honest it was a bit more bonkers than I’d usually like, but epiphany is an odd Sunday because it’s in Christmas season but everyone is fine with Christmas, so it’s nice to do something a bit different, and lots of people said they liked it, so I’m probably being too critical.

As we left church to go home though, I noticed a bit of car part on the pavement that looked the same colour as my car. Turned out someone had driven a little too close and snapped off part of my wing mirror. Thankfully they came back and told me it was them. Apparently another car was approaching without enough clearance and the only thing she could do was get too close to my car. We’ve exchanged details anyway and I’ll call the garage tomorrow.

I got home and we caught up on traitors while I kept checking the text commentary of the cov match. Not a great result really, and then we started the mammoth task of taking all the Christmas decorations down, although we’ve kept the nativity scene with the wise men getting closer, I’ll take that down on Tuesday after I’ve chalked the door!

Eldest dyed their hair and we realised, after seeing the water drip down through the kitchen ceiling, that our mixer tap on the bath is leaking. We had to demolish the bath panel to prove it though. It’s only if the shower is used though and it’s fine for baths, so it can wait until after pay day.

I was woken up this morning to the sound of bin men. Guess where my bins were? And guess where they were last bin collection two weeks ago! Cue me and wife in pyjamas and dressing gowns chasing the bin men down the street while apologising profusely and begging them to take our bins! Which they did!

The afternoon was spent tidying and prepping for church tomorrow. We’re doing a service around what the wise men trusted in, with a murder mystery type thing of “who stole the nativity chocolates”. I just hope it works!

When we came home we finished our adventure calendar murder mystery, and I’m pleased to say we found the killer! Albeit a few days late!

In the evening wife and I went on an actual date. We drive out to Berkswell and used a voucher that friends had given us for Christmas. It was lovely to get out. Wife shared few things that have been worrying her lately too, so I’m glad we reconnected.

I thought it was just the BBC with a computer doing something really fast, but apparently that’s not possible.

So instead there’s a tent with a camera in it, and a gauze in front of the camera.

How can I become more disciplined (in work, money, running, church and charity work) in a way that is sustainable?

The answer:

Here’s the good news, David: you’re already far more disciplined than you give yourself credit for. You consistently show up for your family, your church, your charity work, your running, your creativity, your leadership. What you’re really asking is: how do I make discipline feel light, repeatable, and aligned with who I am, rather than something I have to wrestle into existence.

Let’s build a sustainable discipline framework that fits you—your creativity, your communal instincts, your love of visual trackers, your desire for purpose over perfection.

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🌱 A Sustainable Discipline Framework (Built for David)

🎯 1. Start with identity, not willpower

Discipline sticks when it flows from who you believe you are, not what you’re trying to force yourself to do.

You’re already:

• A strategic leader

• A playful learner

• A community-builder

• A runner-in-progress

• A steward of resources

• A person who shows up for others

So the shift becomes:

• Work → “I’m someone who creates clarity and momentum.”

• Money → “I’m someone who stewards resources with purpose.”

• Running → “I’m a runner building endurance with joy.”

• Church/charity → “I’m someone who serves with intention, not exhaustion.”

Identity-based discipline is sustainable because it’s not a fight—it’s alignment.

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🧩 2. Use “micro‑rhythms,” not big resolutions

Your life is full and relational. You thrive on small, meaningful rituals rather than rigid systems.

Try this structure:

Daily micro‑rhythms (5–10 minutes each)

• Work: Set a “first 5 minutes” ritual—choose the one task that moves the day forward.

• Money: Quick check-in: “Did my spending today match my values?”

• Running: A short mobility routine or a 1 km jog counts.

• Church/charity: One intentional act—message someone, pray for someone, prep one idea.

Weekly rhythms

• A 30-minute “reset” for each domain:• Work planning

• Money review

• Long run

• Church/charity prep

Monthly rhythms

• A reflective check-in: “What’s working? What feels heavy? What needs simplifying?”

This keeps discipline alive without overwhelming you.

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🧠 3. Make discipline playful

You thrive when things feel like a game, a story, or a creative challenge.

Some ideas:

• Running: Visual trackers, Lego progress markers, themed challenges

• Money: A “quest log” for savings goals

• Work: A “boss battle” for big tasks

• Church/charity: A “creative spark board” for ideas you want to try

Playfulness removes the dread and keeps momentum going.

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🪜 4. Build “friction ladders”

Instead of relying on motivation, make the next step ridiculously easy.

Examples:

• Lay out running clothes the night before

• Keep your budgeting app open on your home screen

• Prep your workday with a 3‑item list the night before

• Keep a small notebook for church/charity ideas so they’re never lost

Discipline becomes the path of least resistance.

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🤝 5. Anchor discipline in community

You’re at your best when things are shared.

• Run with someone once a week

• Share financial goals with Katie (in a way that feels empowering, not stressful)

• Co-create church/charity plans with others

• Have a “work buddy” for accountability check-ins

Community turns discipline into connection.

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🔄 6. Use “gentle resets,” not guilt

Sustainable discipline isn’t about never slipping—it’s about slipping without shame.

Your reset phrase could be: “Back to the rhythm.”

Not punishment. Not self-critique. Just return.

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🔥 7. Align discipline with joy, not obligation

This is the secret sauce for you.

Ask:

• What version of this task feels joyful?

• What would make this feel more communal?

• What would make this feel more creative?