There are many important qualities that can contribute to a person’s achievements and happiness, but there is only one that begets sustainable, long-term success in all aspects of life:
Self-Discipline.
Whether in terms of your diet, fitness, work ethic or relationships, self-discipline is the number one trait needed to accomplish your goals, and ultimately, lead to a better quality of life, happiness, and overall fulfillment.
Achieving self-discipline is not always easy; it never comes fast and it requires a little effort, but with some minor changes you can definitely achieve self-discipline. Plus, the rewards to mastering self-discipline can reap many benefits.
Here is some tips for those who want to try and practice self-discipline.
Know your weaknesses
We all have weaknesses. Whether they’re snacks like chocolate covered almonds or a bag of Doritos, or technology like Twitter and Instagram or your favorite mobile game they have similar effects on us.
Acknowledge your shortcomings, whatever they may be. Too often people either try to pretend their vulnerabilities don’t exist or come up with excuses for the pitfalls in their lives. Own up to your flaws. You know them, and you can’t overcome them until you do.
Start with a series of small actions
One of the most important things you can do to get better at self-discipline is to take small actions. It can seem overwhelming to tackle huge, intimidating projects … so don’t. Instead, tackle easy actions, things so small you won’t even realize they are training your brain.
Want to lose weight? Start on one small action first, like drinking a glass of water when you wake up. Want to run? Start out for a brisk 10-minute walk. Have a presentation to work on? Just do the first few paragraphs or create an outline.
You’ll get better at self-discipline if you focus on small tasks and break bigger projects into small actionable tasks. You can then build upon each of these small steps.
And for heaven’s sake – Forgive yourself!
Starting on a new way of thinking won’t always go according to plan. You will have ups and downs, successes, and failures. The key to overcoming a setback is to acknowledge what caused it and keep moving forward.
Don’t fall into the trap of guilt, anger, or frustration. We all experience these emotions but the key is to not linger on them. Instead, use these speedbumps as a learning experience and forgive yourself, and then get right back in the saddle.
A simple tool for this begins with “I forgive myself for ____________.”
CONCLUSION
You’re not in this alone. You have family, friends, online support communities who can help you. Form a support team by reaching out to the people around you and asking for their help.
Self-discipline is a routine, a habit and a daily cycle that needs to be practiced.
TRY these simple advices and you will see the magic happen in your life. You can do this.
