What is Self Discipline: Definitions of Self-Discipline
I have included several definitions of self-discipline as each of these definitions are applicable and one may call to you.
The ultimate result of your self-discipline is building your self-discipline around activities (in whatever areas of your life you need to) so that you can accomplish your goals.
The intention is also to develop real, authentic, and true Self-Discipline so that it is with you always.
Definitions:
- Correction or regulation of oneself for the sake of improvement (Marriam-Webster Dictionary)
- The ability to make yourself do things you know you should do even when you do not want to. (Cambridge Dictionary)
- Ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses.
- A cognitive (mental) process to regulate one’s behavior to achieve specific goals.
- Ability to push yourself forward, stay motivated, take action regardless of feelings either physically or emotionally.
- Having control of your thoughts, behaviors, emotions.
Self-discipline is different than self-motivation or willpower.
How to Develop Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is a muscle and learned trait that can be developed for any activity.
Here is a list of how to develop your self-discipline:
One. Choose a goal and make it S.M.A.R.T.
Two. Start small with a smaller goal (Achievable and Realistic) and over time, slowly increase the boundaries of the goal.
Pick One goal such as drinking more water, exercising daily, meditating daily, getting 10k steps a day, writing in a diary.
Develop Self-Discipline around this goal, then move to the next or expand that goal. (drink more water, decrease caffeine).
The initial activity will become a habit. You will realize you can develop self-discipline and then, move on to the next or the more complicated goal.
Further, marry two goals together if they are related. Such as drinking more water + exercise daily. This can help embed and emphasize the activities.
Three. Practice and Expand!
Practice self-discipline in small ways on a daily basis. Really think about becoming more self-disciplined in your everyday life.
You already have discipline in some daily tasks you are doing. Maybe it is as simple as brushing your teeth daily?
Think about what you are already doing and add and practice and Expand yourself!
Four. Find your motivation or why you are wanting something — the deeper the reason, the better.
Your motivation may be time-related such as a deadline such as losing weight for an upcoming wedding.
Your motivation may be health-related; it may be financially-related; maybe it’s just plain improvement-related.
Identify what motivates You and work with that. You already have examples of what motivates you in your life. Go to those.
I am very motivated by improving myself and I get a kick out of achieving things because I just want to be a better person.
What is yours?
Five. Visualize for Motivation.
Create an image in your mind.
This image helps because you will think of your goal more often and be motivated by the vision of the end result.
Think of your vision as your motivating keystone. Your go-to picture in your head.
Remember “Creativity is more important than Knowledge.” — Albert Einstein
Six. Identify Obstacles then find a way to overcome each one.
We all have obstacles.
Not enough time, not enough money, not enough … something.
Identify what you are seeing as your obstacles and then find a way to overcome each one.
I had an obstacle of “doing too much for others”. Now, I have scheduled time to work on my things. Two hours per day before anyone else’s projects.
Find the obstacle, get creative, and figure it out.
Seven. Replace old habits with new ones.
Habits… ugh. We all have some we don’t like. However, your old habits are most likely holding you back. New habits take discipline so use this list, replace the old with something new.
Example: If you have an old habit of eating too late at night, replace it with a new habit of stopping at 6p or brushing your teeth at 6p, or drinking peppermint tea at 6p
You know what I am saying… out with the old!
Eight. Monitor your progress, encourage yourself and reward yourself.
Monitoring progress (Measurable). How can you measure your results?
Mark on the calendar each day you exercise, eat better, write, get to bed on time, drink your water, intermittent fast. Whatever you are working on. Checkmarks and checkboxes work well here.
This sounds super simple but it works. Having a visual picture of your progress is incredibly helpful.
Encourage yourself for every little thing! Every little thing. You want your mind to be encouraged to go farther and further.
Most of us are under-encouraged so build the self-discipline of encouraging yourself.
Reward yourself. Rewards don’t need to cost money or be food-related. Rewards can be a bath at the end of the day, time alone reading a book, a walk in the park. Just use the reward and really think of how wonderful you did.
p.s. If you miss a day, just move on. It happens for everyone.
Other Tips
Avoid distractions
Avoid discouraging people
Celebrate Everything!
Don’t get discouraged by setbacks, it happens, just get going again.
Meditation is seriously helpful in developing self-discipline. I believe that if you can discipline yourself to meditate, you can discipline yourself to do anything. Here is an Article You Might Like: Best Essential Oils for Meditation
Summary for What is Self Discipline
There are numerous definitions for Self Discipline. Seriously, find the one that works for you and work with it.
Keep the ultimate results of your self-discipline to building self-discipline to achieve your goals. For self-discipline, you need to accomplish something to keep it alive and expansive.
Develop self-discipline with goal setting, practicing, finding your motivation and building that motivation, with visualization, overcoming obstacles, replacing old habits with new ones, monitoring your progress, encouraging and rewarding yourself.
Self Discipline takes some work but it creates a satisfying and fruitful life.