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Self Discipline
What is self discipline? It starts with
the ability to control your behavior. This means motivating yourself
to do the things you need to do, and stopping yourself from doing
things that are bad for you. "Ability to control" is
just the start, though. Real discipline is when you have trained
your mind in such way that you consistently get the behavior
you want.
Self discipline may appear to be a problem
of willpower. "Willpower," however, has connotations
of just pushing ourselves harder to do things, even when we feel
miserable, or fighting temptations. This is a good recipe for
stress and disappointment, but there are better ways to a disciplined
life.
Easy Steps To Self Discipline
If you have ever stayed up all night talking
about something interesting, you know what power the mind has
over the body. Even sleep can be put off when we are motivated
by a passionate discussion. How much willpower does it require
for you to keep doing something when you are enjoying it? This
gives us a key to self discipline.
Find ways to enjoy what you are doing and
to be energized. Willpower goes up and down with energy levels,
so play energetic music, move around, laugh, and look for the
interesting parts of whatever project you are working on. When
you find your best energy boosters and motivators, make a list,
and train your brain to use them whenever you need discipline.
Another discipline trick is to make things
easier on yourself. Suppose you feel stressed when you think
about doing your tax return, for example. It can be overwhelming
to think about doing all that work, so don't think about it!
Lay out the forms where you can work on them later. Then later
do just one form, and later, another. Whatever the task, you
can find enough motivation for some small step. Train your mind
to take that step as soon as you think of it, and the next steps
become easier.
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More Self Discipline Tips
1. Notice the rewards of self discipline.
The more you see the benefits, the more you'll be motivated to
continue the useful behaviors.
2. Ask for help. If you can't stop whining,
for example, have friends point out when you're doing it.
3. Reward yourself. Set behavioral goals
and reward yourself for their completion. A writer, for example,
could decide to write 20 pages per day, and reward himself when
he reaches this goal.
4. Imagine the consequences of your useful
and damaging behaviors. When you are tempted towards damaging
behavior, see all the possible results, and be vivid in your
imaginings. Give yourself a good scare, if you have to. When
you are trying to get to work, see all the future rewards that
are possible.
5. Relax. Willpower is low when you're
stressed, so close your eyes and take three deep breaths.
6. Note the causes of your temptations,
and deal with them. Boredom can lead to all sorts of stupid ways
to find "excitement," for example. Quickly getting
involved in something productive and interesting can make temptations
disappear. Look for underlying causes, and change what you can
change.
Self Discipline Through Self Awareness
Suppose that doughnut calls to you. Sometimes
it's hard to resist temptation, right? Willpower is a nice idea,
but a simpler solution is to stop standing in front of the doughnut!
This is an easy lesson to understand. You just have to train
yourself to apply it habitually. Don't go alone to the bar if
you want a faithful marriage. Don't keep vodka in the house if
you don't want to drink it. Keep away from people that lead you
to trouble.
Self discipline doesn't mean being immune
to temptation. You can develop the willpower to say no, but why
not also have the wisdom to avoid temptation? Learn where your
resistance is low, and don't put yourself in those situations.
Doesn't this make more sense than fighting useless battles with
yourself?
You can develop more willpower, but "strengthening"
willpower by fighting your feelings is a losing battle. It's
more effective to learn how your mind works, and use what you
learn. What motivates you and how can you use that? What are
your strengths and weaknesses? Learn what you can, and use what
you learn to make it easier to do what you need to do. This is
a better path to self discipline.
Other Relevant Pages:
The Intelligence Of Self Observation
Self Awareness
Better Life | Self Discipline |