The Art of Self-discipline

When you think of the word self-discipline, you probably think of this term as a random, impossible to achieve, mastery of self. Or maybe this term takes you back down memory lane to when you were a child and your parents took away something you loved to get you to learn a lesson. Either way, self-discipline is an essential part of life for everyone. Self-discipline, for many people, can be used in a wide range of areas. 

For some, it can be as simple as committing to a workout routine in order to reach your fitness goals. It can be a commitment to finishing college or even a commitment to practicing celibacy or abstinence. You may even take on a new role at your job that requires you to get to work an hour early each day. Or maybe you've taken on the role as a new parent. You may ask, what does self-discipline have to do with any of these things? Well, it's simple. Self-discipline helps you to stay committed to anything you've set out to accomplish. 

Yes, you are committed to achieving all of these things, but in actuality, the commitment is to yourself. When you set your heart and mind on something that you want to achieve, it will require some level of self-discipline in order to accomplish your end goal. If your end goal for fitness is to lose 20 lbs in three months, then what happens when you drive past your favorite doughnut shop and you smell the aroma from the glazed doughnuts seeping through your windows? Do you stop and get yourself doughnuts that could cause an increase in calories, sugar, and fats? Or do you resist the temptation because you are so focused on achieving your end goal? The same goes for practicing celibacy and abstinence. Do you give in to instant gratification and allow the temptation of the present moment to detour you from what you set out to accomplish? Or do you resist the temptation because your end goal is more important? Just because something is available does not mean that you must have it. Mastering the art of self-discipline is not an impossible task, but it does require you to have a strong mind. If you fail at staying committed, that's OK. Don't beat yourself up. We all have failed at something at some point in our lives. Recognize what created your stumbling block and think about putting boundaries in place. You may even want to consider getting an accountability partner. Accountability partners can be a good asset to have in your corner as a backup when your self-discipline is lacking. When you master a certain level of self-discipline, you are not easily distracted by what is presented to you. Self-discipline helps you to have tunnel vision and can simplify your life if you allow it. It helps you to know what you should do and what you shouldn't do. 

Take school for example, no matter what educational level, you were required to do some form of work in order to get a grade and pass to the next level. Maybe in your younger years, you had a parent or caregiver to help you or check to make sure it was done. But what happens when you're a college student and it's only you, your professor, and a book load of work due in the next week? You must have enough self-discipline to focus on completing the tasks at hand so that you can pass your course and graduate from college. Having something of value waiting at the finish line of your accomplishment can make self-discipline seem much more worthwhile. 

Picture this -- You just earned a new position at your job that requires you to be in bed by 10 pm to prepare for an early morning. But, your best friend wants to hang out, so you agree and stay out until 2 am. The next morning, you overslept and did not make it into work on time. Well, guess what? Not only has that new role you just earned been taken away from you, but you've also been fired from your job because you couldn't stay awake during an important meeting you had that morning. However, if you had enough self-discipline to decline your friend's offer and focus on what was most important, then you would still have your job.    

It is so easy to allow temptation to overpower self-discipline, but when your mind is fixed on the end goal and you are so engulfed in the product of your future, that's when self-discipline meets success. But the question is, which will you choose?