Most of us believe that self-discipline is the key to success. But to what extent is this really true?
The 26th U.S President, Theodore Roosevelt once said “With self-discipline, almost anything is possible.”
What most people refer to when they use the word ‘Self Discipline’ is having the mettle to do the needful every day. Even if they are met with hardships and obstructions along the way to achieve their goals.
For others however, self-discipline is the pathway to having sufficient self-control in order to avert negative habits like procrastination, carelessness and laziness, which hold you back from success.
A good example of this is when you make yourself get up early in the morning for online classes or meetings.
Yes, you could have slept a little longer, but you chose not to. And that kind of self-discipline takes time. This is mostly because an individual is pitted against themselves to bring discipline to their life.
Discipline enables people to make the right choice and slowly climb up the ladder towards success.
Motivation for Self-Discipline
In order to integrate self-discipline in life, one must also have the right motivating factors for them to stay focused. The list below contains some of the chief reasons why a person should lead a disciplined life.
– It Promotes Long-Term Reward
‘What you sow now is what you will reap in the future.’
As the saying goes, self-discipline essentially helps us to keep ourselves in check for long-term rewards in the future.
It delays temporary and short-term satisfaction so that you are able to achieve permanent happiness in the future.
So instead of indulging yourself in things that give temporary gratification, why not abstain from them and focus more on the things which will be more fruitful in the future?
It is indeed the durability of the reward that we are striving for.
– Take Charge of Your Own Life
When you lead a disciplined life, YOU are in charge of the choices you make. You eliminate habits like procrastination and idleness which are practices that generally set you back tenfold from your peers.
In essence, self-discipline makes you appreciate the little things in life so that you don’t start taking things for granted.
Not to mention, you also gain a clearer vision of what you have to do in order to gain the things you want to achieve in the future.
– Enhances Quality of Life
Leading a disciplined life automatically enhances the quality of your life. If you start your day an hour earlier than everyone else, you are already one step ahead of them throughout the day.
There are a number of things that an individual can do to improve their overall lifestyle. For instance, taking control over your eating and sleeping habits can bring a shift in your general mood.
Furthermore, when you start the day by making your bed in the morning, you are already a step ahead of your peers by having accomplished the first task of the day successfully.
Even if that task has little to no impact on your life, you should still go ahead and do it. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day and your future won’t be either. Good things take time to happen and hence, it is important to take baby steps to achieve something bigger in the future.
Apart from making changes to your general habits here and there, one of the major changes that have impacted a lot of people’s lives positively, is the practice of doing yoga.
If practicing yoga is not your thing, then going out for a run or exercising early in the morning, for example, can bring about similar changes.
So, why not give these early morning practices a try and see if you are actually benefitting from these healthy lifestyle changes?
How to Administer Self-Discipline in Your Current Lifestyle?
Once you have found the motivation, the next step is to actively start making small changes to your life. Here’s how you can start your journey to self-discipline –
1. Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses
No one knows you better than you do. So you might as well just make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you to work towards the things which need to be worked on. Begin with your strengths and slowly work on your weaknesses.
It is not necessary for you to have the same list of weaknesses as somebody else. However, here are some of the things that you might want to look out for:
- Too much screen time
- Addiction to gaming, drugs, social media
- Avoiding tasks we find difficult
- Losing temper easily
- Not keeping important documents safely
- Avoiding important conversations
- Pretending your problems don’t exist
Always try to face these weaknesses head-on. Acknowledge your flaws, own up to the mistakes, work on them and success will follow.
2. Eliminate Temptation
The best way to not succumb to your temptations is to follow the ‘out of sight out of mind’ rule religiously.
Want to start eating healthy? Throw your junk food into the trash can. Have lots to do for the day? Turn your phone’s settings on silent or just switch it off and focus on checking things off your to-do list.
Remember, the lesser the distractions, the lesser the temptations to break the rules.
3. Set Out a Plan
Nothing works as smoothly as a well-executed plan. So what are you waiting for?
Go make that list and plan everything out before the day starts. Not only will this help you to keep a better track of time, but it will also enable you to execute the day better.
You can also prioritize important things and plan out your day accordingly.
4. Be Kind to Yourself
No one simply masters the art of self-discipline in a day. It takes patience and time.
It is one skill that you have to learn through repetitive behaviour. It is okay to fall back into old patterns every now and then, but be kind to yourself.
To human is to err, but at least you’re trying. And that’s what is important.
Wrapping Up
Finally, embrace new changes and rituals to feel better. Try adopting new hobbies or fitness regimes that promote a healthy lifestyle. All of these combined efforts will surely help you reach your goal towards success.
Photo by Hello I’m Nik on Unsplash
I really enjoyed the read. All articles were interesting and helpful.
Thanks for the important life coaching, I have been waking up to my morning exercise in the morning but lost motivation for the past three month, my problems have been in my mind and I’m slowly working on it I’m gonna go back to morning exercise to activate my mind again
Thank
I am grateful for your kind advices, sometime they,
given free charges , are the best you could get in your birthday as well.
Sincerely
That was a good massage indeed
Self discipline is indeed very important. After reading this l realize that it has helped me my whole life.
As far as positive people go l am learning to be more discriminating. This has been a huge challenge for me because l was brought up by a mother who believed that you should see the best in everyone. I have had to learn the hard way. I do keep up with one person who is polar opposite to me and is very negative at times but she helps me see different points of view and actually confirms my value system. When times improve l will indeed look for opportunities which support my interests. Many thanks!
Thank you so much for these wonderful words of wisdom. I can surely develop inner strength, feeling reassured and move forward with confidence.
Very helpful, thank you.
These writings are the key. Thanks so much.
Makes perfect sense to begin new steps in changing old mind sets! Ty!
Thanks so much for this word of encouragement.it really strength me.
I totally agree with everything that has been written.
I live my life with these characteristics in mind.
It has enabled me to be happy and successful and I was shocked to read these attributes …that I have applied to myself.
You are correct, it is the key to life.
Good morning Thank u for those kind and inspiring words I have read it thoroughly and makes me feel good. I will definitely be doing what it says Thank u S
As I read these words they have given me additional strength. I truly know buying shoes is a habit that I am working on. Yet I see the steps that I have taken to address this. Yet I fall back sometimes.
Yet I know I will get beyond. Much of what your words spoke I do follow.
Where can I find happiness? Which place can I locate my destiny helpers? I’ve been hit so hard in life. A diploma in education and degree in health education, a speaker, writer, motivator yet divorce with no job. I’m really tired but have hope that my purpose on this earth will surely be manifested.
Great inspiration word to start my day
Thank you for the article. It seems almost heaven sent in that it’s exactly what I needed to read. Bless you. Sincerely
These are wise words of inspiration. I will surely use them to develop a positive lifestyle despite the challenges that come up from time to time. Thank you so much.
Thank you for reminding me that I am as important in my own life as I am in others.
Very good advice all of us need to hear this.
Thank you for posting this it sure dose help to hear of such good and positive rules for life.
Very inspiring with wisdom words
Appreciate the motivational words that could enhance the quality and durability of life which would direct to long term rewards and happiness. Wonderful post. Thanks.
Thank you for such a great article. I will read it again if I find myself at a cross road.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom, It can sure make a difference in someone’s life, mine my son’s or someone else. I will definitely share this post with my son, I hope he gets something from it as well, We can all grow regardless of our age, and move forward, if we’re willing to stay open to learning. Thank you.
Thank you very much, this is nothing but just a blue print to great achievement. Feel blessed always.
Very inspirational, useful information, Thank you.
Too often we get over whelmed with the woes of the day and simply give in. These tips with instruction will be very helpful, to set a path to accomplish our goals.. Thank you for your instructions of helpful directions.
Great info. It’s funny how a few words of inspiration can give you a new outlook on life
I am so glad that I decided to read this article. I don’t remember a time when I felt as lost as I have lately. Your direction and wise insights have encouraged me to do what I need to accomplish the changes in myself, so I am equipped with the mindfulness of my goals. Taking myself seriously and making myself a priority are my steps #1 & 2.
Thanks for the info and how I hope you will be able to get things done from what I’ve tried to tell you
Thank you. These are all great points to start working on. Even though we know them, it’s good to remember to practice them all
Great advice, just came at the right time. And as you say be kind to yourself, rome wasn’t built in a day. It will be my reading each morning.
This is interesting and inspirational. Thank you.
Sometimes it’s more difficult to find the time. Difficult and necessary. You don’t have to like it, you just have to do it.
Most employers and their supervisors really don’t want to hire an employee who strikes them as “too hot”. That is to say, SO replete with skill sets and natural talent that this potential new hire could, in relatively short order, take THEIR position AWAY from THEM! They really want people who will just do what they are told and never complain, even if the standing orders of procedure are ruinously stupid. This translates into a criteria for “success” which involves a pattern of sucking up to the boss. He or she doesn’t know what to do about the inevitable serious problems which come up in any line of human endeavor, and the underlings don’t dare say anything even if their continued existence is on the line. Thus the failure rate for new businesses in any given area is well over 50% at the best of times, which these certainly aren’t.