Self discipline is one of the most valuable assets that someone could have in the modern age. It’s a skill that all great leaders and successful people develop.
In today’s society, there is a serious lack of self discipline and it’s clear to see.
Most of the population aren’t happy with their current life set up at the moment. They’re in jobs that they hate and are in poor condition physically.
Their life consists of instant gratification which allows them to feel satisfied in the moment but soon after they’re miserable again.
In this post, we’ll look at why self discipline is important and 7 ways in which you can start building self discipline.
Why Having Self Discipline is Important
When it comes to reaching our goals and becoming successful, self-discipline is an important factor that can’t be overlooked. After all, success starts with self discipline.
Self discipline helps us to stay focused on the tasks at hand in order to achieve our desired outcomes. It allows us to keep distractions away and remain motivated even when times get tough.
With an ability to prioritise essential actions while avoiding unnecessary difficulties, self-discipline plays a key role in helping us become the best version of ourselves.
Self Control vs Self Discipline
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you know you shouldn’t eat that extra slice of pizza, but you just can’t seem to resist?
That’s where self control and self discipline come into play. While they may seem like two sides of the same coin, there are some subtle differences between the two.
Self control is all about resisting the temptation in the moment, whereas self discipline is more about setting boundaries and sticking to them in the long term.
Both are important for achieving goals, whether it’s sticking to a diet or working towards a promotion at work.
How to Build Self Discipline for Success – 7 Ways
Let’s look at 7 methods which you could start using to build your self discipline and start achieving some serious goals.
Remove Temptation
Temptation is everywhere.
We are all tempted every day to do things that aren’t necessarily getting us where we want to be. The digital world has made things so accessible now and everything is tailored around convenience over quality.
That’s why simply removing temptation is a smart and easy way to help build self discipline. If you spend too much time on your phone then simply remove it from the equation. Lock it away out of sight.
If you have a sweet tooth and can polish off a packet of biscuits in one sitting then don’t have any in the house. It’s really that simple but it’s a method which is often overlooked.
The top athletes in the world use this method and so do high-achieving business people. They understand that we’re all human and have the same desires to distract and indulge. So they simply remove them.
Set a Challenge
Challenging yourself is one of the best things you can do to build character and mental resilience. A challenge can test people in all types of manners.
It could be a physical challenge or a mental challenge, both can be equally as tough. Challenges build self discipline because it forces people to focus and exercise their will to achieve something.
A challenge requires huge self discipline itself so over the course of your challenge you will be training your self discipline anyway.
One challenge could change your life, it could shift your whole perspective meaning you will do things differently going forward. This has happened to people who do challenges such as “30 days no alcohol challenge”.
They realise after 30 days how much better they feel and that they don’t need to have alcohol in their lives to improve it. In fact, they usually find that the alcohol has a hindrance.
Form New Habits
When you form new habits, you’re training yourself to act a certain way without even thinking about it. It becomes automatic, just like brushing your teeth or making your bed.
This helps build self-discipline because it takes willpower out of the equation. You don’t have to constantly battle yourself to do what you need to do – it just becomes a part of your routine. And as you continue to form more positive habits, your self-discipline will only get stronger.
Set Your Environment
Our environment plays a huge role in our ability to be productive and self-disciplined. When we set ourselves up in an organised, distraction-free environment, our minds can focus on the task at hand without being pulled in a million different directions.
It’s like putting blinders on a horse – you can’t be distracted by the scenery because you’re solely focused on moving forward.
By intentionally designing our environment to support our goals (whether that be decluttering our workspace or setting up a workout space in our home), we’re setting ourselves up for success and building our self-discipline muscles along the way.
Have a Rewards System
Discipline is a tough thing to cultivate, especially when it comes to following through with goals or tasks that we may not necessarily enjoy doing. But what if there was a way to make it easier?
That’s where a reward system comes in. By setting small, achievable goals for ourselves and rewarding our progress along the way, we can train our brains to crave the satisfaction that comes with accomplishing something.
Over time, this type of positive reinforcement can help us build the self-discipline we need to tackle bigger challenges and achieve even greater success. So next time you’re struggling to stay motivated, try setting up a reward system for yourself and see how much easier it is to stay on track!
Time Block
We all know that feeling of wanting to be productive but somehow ending up mindlessly scrolling through social media for hours on end. That’s where time blocking comes in – it’s a tool that helps us prioritise what we need to accomplish and stay on track throughout the day.
By setting specific times to focus on certain tasks, we’re able to dedicate our full attention to them without distractions. And as we continue to stick to this schedule, we’re building our self-discipline. It takes discipline to stick to a routine and resist the urge to procrastinate or get sidetracked. Eventually, this habit of time blocking becomes second nature, and we start to see our self discipline reinforced.
Leaving Your Comfort Zone
Stepping out of our comfort zones can be super scary, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Not only can taking risks help you learn new things about yourself, but it can also help you build some serious self discipline.
Think about it – the only way to really grow as a person is to venture into uncharted territory and challenge yourself. Whether it’s trying a new hobby or taking on a new assignment at work, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone forces you to confront your fears and limitations head on.
And the more you practise pushing yourself, the easier it becomes to stay disciplined and focused even when things get tough.
So why not take a step outside of your comfort zone today and see where it takes you?
Your future self will thank you!
Self Discipline in the Modern World
In a world that’s full of endless distractions, from social media notifications to Netflix binges, self discipline is a skill that’s becoming more important than ever. It’s the ability to resist temptation, motivate yourself, and stay focused on your goals, even when things get tough.
Without it, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of procrastination, stress, and burnout. But with self discipline, you can take control of your life and achieve the things that really matter to you.
Whether you’re trying to build a successful career, get in shape, or simply be a more productive and happy person, self discipline is the key to making it happen. So start small, set achievable goals, and see how far your own self discipline can take you.
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