Mastering Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is a powerful attribute to have, yet challenging to obtain.
Self-discipline is the ability to do whatever it takes to overcome obstacles and reach your goals, even when it's inconvenient or uncomfortable. It may involve saying: "no" to things you want or saying: "yes" to things you hate, but as you develop your self-discipline “muscle”, it becomes easier to make good decisions.
Most individuals would love to be more self-disciplined, yet very few people actually take action to acquire it.
Self-discipline is not something that you are born with, but it is something you can develop if you are willing to work at it consistently. Perhaps you start your day with good intentions, but veer off as the day progresses due to challenging issues, stresses, or distractions. But there are practices you can incorporate into your daily life so you can become a master of self-discipline and stay on task.
Follow these techniques to strengthen your self-discipline:
Be committed to your goal. Many times people claim they want to be more self- disciplined, but the truth is, they honestly don't mind being the way they are. So be sure that you are truly committed to your goal. And be sure that your goals are aligned with your values.
Be honest with yourself. If this is something that you absolutely want, then accept that it may take time and effort, but it can be done.
Stay committed to the goal. Acknowledge that this may not always be easy. As Thomas Huxley said, “Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not."
Write it down. The process of writing your ideas and goals helps you clarify the thoughts in your mind so you can come up with an action plan that you can stick to.
Write down all the areas that you wish to improve - your finances, relationships, career, or anything in between. Include what changes you would like to see and how you believe will be the best way to make it happen.
Enlist the help of others. It's absolutely wonderful that you've committed to make a positive change in your life, but don't keep it under wraps. Tell others that you want to make a change and boost your self-discipline.
Don't be ashamed that you weren't more self-disciplined from the beginning. The important thing is that you're now taking positive action! Those who love you will be there to support you and help you celebrate your successes.
Your support group can also help you get through the bad days and put you back on track to achieve your goals.
Believe in yourself. Have faith in yourself and know that if you can master your self-discipline, you can do anything! There will be both good and bad days, but as long as you remain focused and committed, you'll be successful in strengthening your self-discipline.
Remember to focus on the big picture and concentrate on how your body, mind, and energy will change for the better when you stay committed.
Many people admire those who are self-disciplined. These people seem to be able to stay on a schedule and never seem to lose focus on what they need to accomplish. They appear to make more wise decisions, take action when they need to, and achieve their goals and find success.
They are willing to do daily, what unsuccessful people only do occasionally.
Implement these practices into your daily life until they become habits. Self-discipline can become your way of life - if you want it!
