Self-discipline

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7. SELF-DISCIPLINE

What is self-discipline?

Self-discipline is the ability to act within the big picture, form and conduct life plans and personal projects, and assert rights, interests, limits, and needs.

If you are an undisciplined person, your chances of achieving success are drastically reduced no matter how much intelligence and how many capabilities you possess. If you do not add order to your life, it will be very difficult to achieve your goals. Avoiding responsibilities is not a good option, which is why self-discipline provides many advantages.

When you apply self-discipline while engaging in any activity, these repeated actions will form very marked habits in your life. Creating this internal adaptation will prove difficult at the beginning, especially if you typically possess very erratic behavior that lacks strict agenda planning. Obviously when you are able to complete tasks without failure, change will be evident. Moreover, when you’ve already reached high levels of self-discipline, even greater opportunities will come into your life.

Why is self-discipline important?

First and foremost, it will boost your confidence. By developing the habit of consistent discipline, you will increase your self-esteem, which in time will increase your confidence. You will also be more productive and accomplish more in less time. When you refuse to pay attention to the temptations and desires that tend to distract and limit your pace of work, you increase your level of productivity. This ultimately improves your ability to remain calm and stay positive in the midst of challenges and obstacles. These, of course, will not cease to arise in planning to achieve your goals. Self-discipline fosters the habit to stay the course no matter the circumstances.

As the Italian poet Pietro Aretino once said; “I am, indeed, a king, because I know how to rule myself.”

How can you develop self-discipline?

Acquiring self-discipline requires determination and practice whenever possible so that it becomes a habit. To do this, it is important to take into account some strategies you can use to strengthen this virtue.

Use time well

We must schedule our activities to achieve our daily goals.

Identify your strengths

It is important to recognise what we know how to do to use this to our advantage.

Identify obstacles

You must identify the obstacles you’ll likely face when working toward your goal, devising a strategy for overcoming each one.

Monitor your progress

Consider keeping a journal to write down your self-discipline goals and track your progress. This reinforces the positive changes you’re implementing in your life and gives you a record to look back on and see the progress you’ve made.

Know your priorities

It is necessary to set a clear order of importance for our tasks.

Make decisions with limited information

Acting quickly gives focus to what we seek to do and not put off indefinitely.

Choose to act

Given the choice to “do” or “not do” something, the former is always preferable.

Stop striving for perfection

The habit of discipline takes time, so if we stop acting like perfectionists, we avoid nervousness and act accordingly.