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Mastering self-discipline is important for a happier and more productive life.
But why is it so difficult to remain disciplined?
Here’s the best answer: It’s because we allow our minds to intervene in our path of being disciplined.
The problem with self-discipline is that it’s hard!
It requires, by its very definition, that we make decisions that depend on an end objective. And although some life choices are not that difficult, most of them still require self-discipline.
If you struggle with self-discipline, then the challenge commences!
Take the plunge with at least two of the tips below as they are very easy and straightforward and should help you master your self-discipline when you need it the most.
Here are 10 powerful insights that will help you master your self-discipline on a daily basis.
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Okay, here’s what you need to know about self-discipline first…
Self-discipline = Discipline of Self.
Self-discipline is the ability to control yourself in whatever situation you find yourself in and to make yourself work hard or behave in a particular way without needing anyone else to tell you to do so or what to do.
Why do we need to strengthen it?
Self-discipline means self-control, which is a sign of inner strength and control of yourself. Your very actions and reactions give you the power to make decisions and self-discipline really is the only way to master your life.
By using self-discipline and following with it by not wavering and changing your mind often, you will have one of the MOST fundamental and important requirements to achieve every goal you desire for yourself.
And although it may seem like it’s impossible to harness this divine skill and that some people were just born with willpower (since it comes very easy for them), you must know that the superpowers of self-discipline that they have are a learned characteristic.
That means you can also use it to help enhance your own life to reach your fullest potential.
How to Master Your Self Discipline – 10 easy ways!
1. Know your weaknesses
If you don’t know your vulnerabilities, now is the time to ask your closest allies what they are. Researchers say that discipline and determination are like muscles. They can be hard to flex in the short term if you exercise them, however, the more they are used daily, the better and stronger they are, in the long term.
Actually, knowing your weaknesses is a good thing for building this muscle. It will encourage you to be more positive in developing an understanding of what you need to change and the best way to start is by finding out what your weaknesses are and building upon them daily if you want to really master your self-discipline like a pro!
2. Self-monitor
Self-monitoring lets us become experts in our own behaviors so that we can make our unhealthy habits way less of a hassle to change out.
Research suggests that if you constantly reflect on your daily habits and remember what motivates you to recharge your willpower? Then you will have better results with your self-discipline for the times when you feel that it is low.
To carry this out, get as much feedback as you can, by having a self-monitoring plan. Try to keep a calendar and mark down all that you do — the good, the bad, the horrific.
Once you see the things you want to change, you’ll be better equipped to change them because you will start seeing a pattern that you don’t like.
3. Take notes on the good
Whether it’s bad for you or not, our mind keeps a record of things through which we feel the happiest!
It can be social media, peer pressure, smoking, drinking, your ego, or good things like family and friends… And the subconscious mind will still indirectly give our bodies a signal to repeatedly perform those tasks (whether good or bad) because it wants its dopamine rush.
The subconscious mind will still indirectly give our bodies a signal to repeatedly perform certain tasks (whether they are good for us or bad) because it wants its dopamine rush.
This is why self-discipline plays a major role in this. Since we usually want to discipline ourselves to avoid certain bad habits? The only way to get around this is to start releasing dopamine from your healthier habits (and more often). If you do this, you will start to see your self-discipline start to rise daily.
4. Remove temptations
Separating your temptations from your environment will really help you stay on track to mastering your self-discipline. And research demonstrates that the best way of avoiding temptation altogether is “out of sight, out of mind”. If you eat too much sugar? Don’t bring it in the home. If you stay up too late? Remove the TV from your bedroom.
Of course, it’s easier said than done, but if you try not to satisfy yourself with temporary pleasures (especially when you are alone), and if you remove the temptations that you are trying really hard to gain control over, you’ll start feeling more confident in yourself.
Another established technique of self-control is to keep track of what you say and do when you experience temptation. This is regarded as self-regulation and it really helps you become more aware (in the moment temptation strikes) when you feel your self-discipline starting to slip!
5. Take 20 seconds
Science tells us that you have to have the motivation to start for the first 20 seconds of any task. This can be in the form of waking up early, all the way to developing your fitness goals.
Motivation is the little engine that could. It’s the driving force in which self-discipline is able to move forward and studies say that the first 20 seconds of ANY task is your moment to strike while the iron is hot.
Once you have gathered enough energy to start, it will be easy to sustain and maintain to carry out the task.
Science has also shown that people who achieve the most out of life, often motivate themselves with positive self-talk when they have no one else telling them to get moving.
6. Work on a passion project
We all know that our own unique passion projects usually bring out a sense of fun and creativity in almost everyone.
That it will not only inspire oneself to be more self-disciplined but it will allow us to easily carry it through because we are simply enjoying what we are doing.
Studies also say that you should never be doing something more than 20% of the time that you don’t like. And as much as that is a hard pill to swallow? Most highly self-disciplined people have a goal, usually like what they are doing, and know that it takes self-discipline to get there.
7. Be graceful as you inch closer
To put it straight forward, you can’t just go straight to the top. You have to be aware that with anything that you undertake, that it’s going to be hard, and realistically, that it’s going to take time. Everything great consists of small parts and with a little grace with yourself can go so far!
Everything great consists of small parts and a little grace with yourself can go so far!
What you can do and have the power to do right now, is to slowly reach your goals little by little with gratitude. Take it slow, be kind to yourself along the way and you’ll have a much easier ride in conquering your highest potential.
8. Use the power of three
A simple trick to obtain stellar self-control or achieve any objective is to look at what you really want to achieve, big or small, and implement small tiny action steps to make it more attainable. Simply put, make a list of three small little action steps that you can do TODAY in order to get closer to your desired outcome.
Here’s a perfect example of this:
So, maybe you’d like to drop 5 pounds? Then three action steps would look like…
- Walk for 4000 steps outdoors
- Throw out all sugary foods in the house
- Clear space in your closet for new smaller fitting clothes
You can clearly see that these three action steps on what to do, makes it easier to DO them. Plus, once you start checking off one through three? You’ll find that your self-discipline will be easier and easier to create more action steps for each passing day.
9. Avoid comparing
Does your inner dialogue or narrative compare your every move?
If so, your self-discipline will have a dramatic influence from that, making you paralyzed by self-confusion, if the answer was yes.
You see, sometimes seeing others have it all now, can really unmotivate us to stay on our own unique paths. The one thing that you have to realize is that no one is perfect no matter how they look or what they have.
The only thing that matters is your mindset and whether it’s positive or negative. Studies show that low self-discipline usually involves having a negative self-dialogue and that negative self-talk usually talks us out of doing great things.
But it’s time to change how often you compare your life with the way others live.
You can easily do this by becoming aware of your own daily habits, following them up with a positive inner self-discussion like; “I can do this.”, or “I will start this task for 5 mins right now”, and making sure your goals are achievable and not out of reach.
Like all things that take time and progress, the greatest struggle will always come from within, so it might as well be positive!
Like all things that take time and progress, the greatest struggle will always come from within, so it might as well be positive!
10. Repeat, Repeat Repeat
Only with repeated practice of self-discipline, will you eventually make a habit out of it. Trust me, if you wash the dishes daily? It’ll be programmed in you to do them on autopilot.
Repeated practice will not only help you make better decisions along the way but if you tell yourself daily that you refuse to give up, you’ll start narrowing the gap with your chances of relapsing.
If you relapse, just make sure that you get back on that horse again, try until you master your self-control and repeat, repeat, repeat.
Like any skill, repeated practice with your self-discipline is how you will live the life you crave. It will never go away and it’s going to be a lifelong commitment.
Self-discipline really does create a more joyful and balanced life. So naturally, by adding one of these habits in the above list will make all the difference to conquering your goals — big or small!
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Author: Rebecca
Hi, my name is Rebecca and I am the face behind Everything Abode! I am a home and lifestyle writer based out of Vancouver Island. When I’m not writing or exploring mountains and beaches with my furry rescue, I love spending time learning creative ways to manifest a healthy home. Thanks for stopping by!
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