How To Improve Self Discipline

Why Do I Have Such Difficulty Disciplining Myself?

"Whether it's losing weight, starting an exercise program, becoming organized, or anything else, it's always the same old story. I know what needs to be done, and i do it for a while, but I don't put in the effort and attention to keep going. I get less and less motivated and soon lose interest. I tell myself that I never really wanted it, or it's really not worth it, and then I give up. "Maybe I'll try again another time" is the phrase that I sell myself, as i have so many times before."

You look around at other people, admiring them for their tenacity and fortitude. "How on earth do they get themselves out of bed every morning to go jogging?" is the question that you continually ponder. You wonder if perhaps you just lack discipline, as if it were an inborn trait. But discipline is not something you're born with; it's an ability that is cultivated. It takes much more than a passing want or desire to bring on the power of discipline. Discipline is a matter of training the mind. When the alarm goes off in the morning, and you pull the covers over your head, you train your mind to be lax. When you need to finish an assignment but decide to watch a little TV to unwind, you train your mind to be lax. In the evening when you decide to have a second helping of dessert even though you know it might upset your stomach, you train your mind to be lax. Then, when it comes time for you to follow a regimen, what happens? You offer up a host of explanations as to why it would be best if you just skipped it today.

Make Discipline A Game

Discipline reflects a conditioned mind. You can't expect yourself suddenly to become disciplined. It's not something that can be turned on and off. Discipline is a mental muscle. It needs to be worked so when you need it, you are strong. Work out a reward/penalty system that motivates you to live up to your commitment, no matter what the behavior is. Enlist the support of a friend or loved one to make sure you live up to it. If hopping out of bed in the morning has been a struggle for you, agree with your spouse beforehand that if you do not get out of bed withing five minutes of the alarm going off, you will take a cold shower that morning. More than likely, one "polar freeze" will be all it takes - either you will quickly learn to hop out of bed the moment the buzzer goes off, or you will quickly learn to like cold showers!

Work the other side of the fence, too. Get your mate's commitment that if you rise on time for at least two weeks, the two of you can treat yourselves to a romantic night out. The point is to break out of the same old routine and use the instilling of discipline to add spice to your life.

Don't Use Failure As An Excuse To Drop Self-Discipline; Get Back On Track Immediately

Discipline isn't a one time thing; it consists of all your decisions and actions, big and small, that take place on an ongoing basis. So don't expect yourself to be perfect. Sometimes you will let discipline slide. What matters is what you do in the aftermath: Do you get discouraged and give up, or do you pick up the pieces and continue? Self discipline is the single most important trait for success, so whatever you do, make sure you build it consistently.

Often discipline is just a matter of ensuring that you have adequate structure in your life. Simplify and prioritize as necessary; avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed by deciding what is the one thing you absolutely need to get done today and focusing your energies on that. If you can accomlish other things today, too, so much the better, but if not, dont beat yourself up. Make your number one priority the backbone that supports your entire day and act accordingly. Once you have a clear goal in mind, with a minimum of distraction, then discipline is easy.