self discipline presentation

12 Principles of Self-Discipline for an Unshakable Success

Principles of Self-Discipline are essential for personal growth and fulfillment. Firstly, set clear goals that align with your values and aspirations. This clarity provides a roadmap to follow. Secondly, practice consistency by establishing healthy habits and routines. This regularity builds momentum and reinforces self-discipline. By embracing these principles, you unlock your true potential and lead a more meaningful life.

Sanju Pradeepa

To achieve your goals and live a fulfilling life, self-discipline is key. But cultivating it is challenging, and many people struggle with it. The good news is that it is a learnable skill. By understanding the core principles that underlie it and applying them consistently, you can strengthen your self-control and willpower.

In this article, you’ll learn the principles of self-discipline and how you can build them through practice and persistence. The core principles we will explore include: focusing on one goal or habit at a time; starting small and building up gradually; rewarding yourself for achievements; avoiding temptation and limiting distractions; tracking your progress to stay motivated; and being flexible and kind to yourself.

Mastering these principles will empower you to overcome procrastination, break bad habits, and work towards the life you want.

Table of Contents

The importance of self-discipline for personal development.

It is essential for personal growth and achieving your goals. Without it, you’ll struggle to develop good habits and stick to important tasks.

Self-discipline is a vital element when it comes to personal development. It acts as the compass that guides us toward our goals and helps us maintain focus and direction. Without self-discipline, it becomes challenging to achieve the growth and fulfillment we desire.

One of the benefits of self-discipline is the ability to prioritize and stay committed to our goals. By practicing discipline, we can resist the distractions and temptations that often deter us from our path. It allows us to make conscious choices that align with our values and long-term aspirations.

When we exercise self-discipline, we develop a strong sense of responsibility toward ourselves and our personal growth. We become more aware of our actions and their consequences, taking ownership of our behavior. This sense of accountability empowers us to overcome obstacles and persevere even in the face of adversity.

Moreover, self-discipline fosters consistency and enables us to establish healthy habits. By practicing discipline in our daily routines, such as waking up early, exercising regularly, or dedicating time to learning, we create a positive momentum that propels us forward. These consistent efforts become the building blocks of personal development, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence.

In addition to personal growth, self-discipline also plays a significant role in nurturing self-love and self-care. When we prioritize our well-being through disciplined actions, we demonstrate love and respect for ourselves. This self-nurturing mindset enhances our overall happiness and fulfillment.

It is important to note that self-discipline should not be mistaken for self-punishment or rigidity. It doesn’t require us to be overly harsh or strict with ourselves. Instead, it is about finding a healthy balance between self-control and self-compassion. By treating ourselves with kindness and understanding, we can embrace discipline as a tool for personal growth rather than a burden.

Principles of Self-Discipline

Self-discipline serves as a guiding force on our journey of self-discovery and personal development. By embracing its principles, we can unlock our true potential and cultivate a fulfilling life. Let’s explore some key principles of self-discipline that can pave the way for our growth.

1. Goal-setting

To build self-discipline, start by setting clear and specific goals. Ask yourself what you want to achieve and why it’s important. Be as detailed as possible.

For example, instead of saying, “I want to eat healthier,” say, “I will replace one unhealthy snack per day with a piece of fruit or vegetable.” Start with small, manageable goals and build up from there.

Review and revise your goals regularly. As you progress, make them more challenging. But don’t make them unrealistic. It’s better to start small and build momentum. Develop concrete plans for each goal. Outline the steps required and the obstacles ahead. Plan how you will overcome them. Put your plans in writing and review them often.

Share your goals with others who will support your efforts. Let them know your plans and ask them to check in on your progress. Accountability to others is a key to success. Reward yourself when you achieve milestones. Give yourself incentives along the way, not just at the end. But don’t reward yourself with unhealthy habits or by abandoning your goals. Stay disciplined.

Building self-discipline is challenging, but with practice, it can become second nature. Start today by choosing one goal and sticking to it. Success will motivate you to continue progressing, one goal at a time. You’ve got this! Stay focused on your “why” and keep putting one foot in front of the other. It will follow.

14 Importance of Goal Setting: Unlocking Your Full Potential

2. finding your motivation.

Without motivation, self-discipline is nearly impossible to achieve.

Some sources of motivation include:

• Your goals and dreams Connecting your daily habits and tasks to your larger goals and dreams can be highly motivating. Ask yourself how learning self-discipline will help you achieve what you really want in life.
• Growth and progress. Notice the progress you’re making and reward yourself for milestones achieved. Even small wins can keep you motivated for continued progress.
• accountability. Tell a friend or family member about your goal to build discipline. Ask them to check in on your progress and hold you accountable. Knowing someone else expects you to follow through can increase your motivation.

inspiring role models. Read about or watch videos of people you find inspiring. Their stories of perseverance and self-discipline can motivate you to push through challenges.

-Positive self-talk. Speak to yourself with encouragement and praise. Say things like “I can do this!” and remind yourself of your strengths and past wins. Positive self-talk leads to increased motivation and determination .

What Motivates You to Succeed in Life: Find What Drives You

To build self-discipline, continually reconnect with your sources of motivation and inspiration. Review your goals and dreams, notice your progress, check in with your accountability partner, read about role models, and practice positive self-talk. With motivation in place,it becomes a realistic achievement.

3. Identifying Obstacles

What is stopping you from achieving your goals and desired outcomes? The barriers could be internal or external.

Internal obstacles include things like:

• Lack of motivation or willpower
• Poor time management or procrastination
• Negative self-talk or limiting beliefs
• Fatigue or low energy

External obstacles are outside of your control but can still be overcome with the right mindset and strategies.

• Lack of support from others
• Demanding job or family responsibilities
• Insufficient resources or access

The first step is recognizing the obstacles in your path. Then, you can develop a plan to navigate around them. Some solutions for common obstacles include:

• Setting small, concrete goals to build motivation and momentum
• Improving time management through scheduling and prioritization
• Practicing positive self-talk and visualization to strengthen your resolve
• Make self-care a priority to avoid burnout.
• Seeking out accountability partners or a mentor for support
• Adjusting expectations or delegating when possible to ease demands on your time and energy

With determination and the right strategies, you can overcome any obstacles blocking your progress. The key is maintaining your vision, starting where you are, and using the tools and resources at your disposal to achieve self-discipline one step at a time.

How Do You Overcome Obstacles in Achieving Goals: 15 Keys

4. time management and prioritization.

You need to organize your time effectively and focus on important tasks.

• Make a schedule. Plan how you will spend your time each day and week. Include time for work, chores, exercise, leisure, and sleep. Having a routine will make you more productive and help you avoid procrastination .
• Prioritize important tasks. Focus on high-priority items first before moving on to minor tasks. Ask yourself what needs to get done and rank tasks by importance and urgency. Make a list if needed. Start with the most crucial tasks, like work projects with impending deadlines. Leave minor tasks like checking email until later.
• Limit distractions Minimize interruptions like social media, TV, and phone notifications. Find periods each day where you can focus without distractions. Let people know if you need to avoid disturbances so you can concentrate.
• Review how you’re using your time. At the end of each day or week, evaluate how you spent your time. Look for ways to improve your scheduling and avoid time-wasters. Make changes to build better habits and optimize your productivity going forward. Effective time management is a continual process of reflection and improvement.

With practice, good time management and prioritization will become second nature. You’ll get better at organizing your days, accomplishing important work, and avoiding diversions, leading to greater self-discipline and productivity. Consistently reviewing how you spend your time and looking for ways to improve will help make these skills a habit.

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5. habit formation.

Habits are behaviors that are repeated and become an automatic response over time. According to researchers, habit formation follows a three-step process:

• Cue : A cue triggers your habit. It can be a location, time of day, emotional state , or event. For example, feeling tired in the evening prompts you to brush your teeth.
• Routine : The routine is the behavior itself. It’s the action you take, like brushing and flossing your teeth before bed. The routine needs to be easy to follow and specific.
• Reward: The reward is the benefit you gain from the habit. It satisfies you and motivates you to continue the routine. For example, the fresh, clean feeling after brushing your teeth is the reward.

To build good habits:

• Identify the cues that will trigger your new habit. The cue could be a time of day, location, or event.
• Choose a simple and specific routine to follow. Start small and build up gradually. Write out each step of the routine.
• Determine a reward to give yourself for following the routine. It can be internal satisfaction or an external motivator. Visualize how you will feel after the reward.
• Practice the habit loop (cue, routine, reward) repeatedly until it becomes second nature. Stay consistent and committed to making progress over time through steady practice and repetition.

Building habits and self-discipline requires conscious effort and consistency. But by understanding how habit formation works and applying proven techniques, you can achieve lasting change and continuous self-improvement . With regular practice, your good habits will become an automatic part of your daily life.

6. Ambition

To achieve your goals and dreams, you need ambition—the drive and determination to work hard and overcome obstacles. Ambition means:

• Having a strong desire to achieve something and a willingness to commit time and effort
• Setting challenging goals and objectives that motivate and inspire you
• Developing grit and perseverance to push through failures, setbacks, and challenges

Ambition is what fuels self-discipline. Without it, you lack direction and motivation. But too much ambition can lead to restlessness, impatience, and selfishness .

Find the right balance through:

• Clarifying your priorities and values Focus on goals that align with what really matters to you.
• Breaking big goals into smaller milestones Don’t feel overwhelmed by the end result; just focus on progress. Celebrate small wins along the way.
• Practicing self-compassion . Be kind to yourself if you face failures or setbacks. Learn from your mistakes and try again.
• Contributing to something greater Have purpose and meaning in your life by positively impacting others. Leave your ego behind.
• maintaining gratitude and contentment. Appreciate each moment and what you already have. Don’t get caught up in an endless cycle of wanting more.

With the right amount of ambition powering your discipline, you can achieve amazing things. But remember, true success comes from living according to your values and finding purpose and meaning, not just achieving goals. Maintain balance through self-reflection and by nurturing your relationships; these connections ultimately give life deep meaning.

17 Ambition Examples: 6 Stories of Ambitious Individuals

7. planning and anticipation.

Developing the habit of planning your days, weeks, and months in advance helps ensure you stay on track to achieve your goals and priorities.

Some tips for effective planning:

• Set daily schedules and routines. Having a consistent wake-up time, work hours, exercise routine, and bedtime can help make good habits automatic. Sticking to a routine requires self-discipline but gets easier over time.
• Make to-do lists. Write down the tasks you need to accomplish each day and prioritize them. Crossing completed items off your list gives you a sense of progress and motivation. Try to schedule in time for unexpected tasks as well.
• Prepare in advance. Don’t go into your day unprepared. Lay out your clothes, pack your gym bag, make lunches, and review your schedule the night before. The more you can prepare in advance, the less likely you are to get derailed by small details.
• •Anticipate obstacles. Try to foresee any potential distractions, challenges, or interruptions that could throw you off course. Come up with strategies for overcoming them in advance, so you have a plan of action if they arise. The ability to anticipate obstacles comes with practice and experience.
• • Review and reset. At the end of each day or week, look at what you accomplished and didn’t accomplish. Make adjustments to your schedule or priorities as needed. Use this review process as an opportunity to renew your motivation and commitment to your goals.

Planning, preparing, and anticipating are habits that strengthen your discipline over time. While it may require effort upfront, having discipline and organization will make you far more productive and effective in the long run. Staying on track and making progress, however small, leads to more success and greater confidence in your ability to achieve what you set your mind to.

8. Persistence

It is the ability to maintain action regardless of your feelings. It means continuing on a course of action even when things get difficult or discouraging. Persistent people stick to their goals and see them through to completion.

To develop it, focus on these core principles:

• Have a clear vision and purpose. Know exactly what you want to achieve and why it’s important to you. Your motivation and passion will fuel your persistence.
• • Break big goals into manageable steps. Don’t feel overwhelmed by the end goal. Focus on the progress you can make each day to build momentum. Celebrate small wins along the way.
• • Plan and prepare for obstacles. Expect challenges and setbacks, then develop strategies to overcome them. Be flexible and willing to try different approaches.
• Start building the habit of persistence. Choose small actions you can stick with each day to strengthen your persistence muscle. Over time, you’ll get better at overcoming distractions and staying focused.
• Stay optimistic and maintain a solution-focused mindset . When faced with difficulties, look for ways around them instead of giving up. Having a positive and determined attitude will help motivate you to push through.

Ask for support. Tell others about your goals so they can check in on your progress. Consider working with a coach or mentor. Let people help keep you accountable.

Learn from your failures and try again. Everyone experiences failures and roadblocks at some point. The key is to not get discouraged. Refocus your efforts and renew your commitment to achieving your goals. Success is often just on the other side of persistence.

9. Responsibility

To develop self-discipline, you must take responsibility for your actions and decisions. This means:

• Accepting the consequences of your choices without blaming external factors Don’t make excuses or point fingers at other people or events outside of your control.
• Following through on your commitments and promises Do what you say you will do. Meet your deadlines and obligations. People with self-discipline have integrity and hold themselves accountable.
• Admitting when you’re wrong and working to improve. Have the courage to acknowledge your mistakes and shortcomings, then make a plan to strengthen your willpower and do better next time.
• Practicing self-reflection to gain awareness of your thoughts and behaviors Consider how your actions and habits are impacting your life, then determine how you can build better discipline.
• Forgiving yourself for slip-ups and imperfections, then refocusing your efforts No one is disciplined all the time. Learn from your failures and missteps, then get back on track right away.

Developing an internal sense of responsibility is key to achieving self-discipline and success in all areas of life. Take ownership of your journey and make the choice each day to be in control of yourself. Over time, it will become second nature. But it starts with you—your mindset, your actions, and your determination to become the master of your fate.

10. Resilience and a Strong Work Ethic

To build resilience and a strong work ethic, you need to develop certain habits and mindsets.

Focus on progress, not perfection. Don’t expect yourself to get everything right the first time. Learn from your mistakes and imperfections, then continue moving forward. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.

Develop a growth mindset . Believe in your ability to improve and strengthen your skills over time through hard work and persistence. View failures and setbacks as learning opportunities, not permanent shortcomings. With practice and effort, you can achieve more than you currently can.

Start small and build up gradually. Don’t feel overwhelmed by huge goals or major life changes. Take things step by step, focusing on continuous self-improvement and developing better habits over time through consistency and repetition. Small wins add up to big successes.

Learn to delay gratification. Build your ability to resist temptation and overcome impulses in pursuit of your long-term goals and priorities. It’s a key factor that determines success and well-being. Stay disciplined and avoid instant rewards when you should be working toward more meaningful outcomes.

Stay optimistic and look for solutions instead of complaining. Focus on the things within your control and make the best of the situation. Your mindset and reaction matter most.

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Developing these habits and traits will strengthen your resilience, persistence, and work ethic over time. Success is rarely achieved overnight, but through the gradual progress of self-improvement and consistency. You have the power to achieve amazing things.

11. Emotional Regulation and Mindfulness

To develop it, you must learn to regulate your emotions and cultivate mindfulness.

Emotional regulation involves managing your emotional reactions to situations. Stay calm and composed rather than getting angry, stressed, or frustrated. Take a few deep breaths to avoid reacting impulsively. Look at the situation objectively and logically. Make level-headed decisions rather than emotional ones you may later regret.

Mindfulness means focusing your awareness on the present moment . Spend a few minutes each day being fully aware of your thoughts and feelings, without judgment. Notice the little details in your surroundings. This can help reduce stress and increase focus and concentration. Some ways to practice mindfulness include:

• Deep breathing: Take slow, deep breaths from your diaphragm to quiet your mind and relax your body.
• Meditation: Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and focus your attention on your breath. Start with just 5–10 minutes a day and work your way up.
• Yoga: Do a few basic yoga poses while paying close attention to your breathing and the sensations in your body.
• Journaling: Write down your thoughts and feelings to gain awareness and clarity.
• Limit distractions: minimize interruptions from electronics and spend time fully engaged in one activity.

Developing emotional regulation and mindfulness is a journey. Be patient and gentle with yourself as you learn and practice these skills each day. Over time, you will gain more inner calm. You will react less and respond more. You will appreciate each moment as it happens. These principles may be simple in concept but powerful in application. Make them a habit, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving greater self-discipline and peace of mind.

12. Reward and Celebration

To stay disciplined, you need to reward yourself for achieving your goals and milestones. Celebrating wins, both big and small, keeps you motivated to continue progressing.

When you accomplish a goal or objective, do something to acknowledge your success. Some options include:

Treating yourself to your favorite snack or meal

watching your favorite TV show or movie.

Engaging in a hobby you enjoy, like reading a book, gardening, or exercising

planning an evening out with friends or family.

The rewards don’t have to be extravagant, but they should be meaningful to you. Keep in mind that meeting a milestone is an achievement worth recognizing. Celebrating progress, not perfection, is key.

Additionally, reflecting on what you’ve achieved can enhance your motivation and determination . Think about the progress you’ve made, the obstacles you’ve overcome, and the skills you’ve gained. Appreciating your advancement will inspire you to keep going.

Rewarding yourself for accomplishments and embracing a growth mindset are essential for building self-discipline. Recognize all you’ve achieved to stay dedicated and driven. You’ve earned it! Keep up the good work.

How self-discipline can lead to success and fulfillment

It is key to achieving success and living a fulfilling life. When you develop self-discipline, you gain the ability to control your impulses and delay gratification. This allows you to work towards meaningful goals and push through challenges or setbacks.

Having the discipline to set clear goals, develop plans, and follow through will help you achieve what you want in life. Whether in your career, relationships, health, or finances, it gives you the motivation and willpower to work hard, develop expertise, and overcome obstacles. Success rarely comes overnight, so it allows you to persist in the face of boredom , frustration, or failure.

With this-discipline, you can accomplish more by avoiding distractions and focusing your efforts. You’ll develop better habits and routines to maximize your time and energy.It also allows you to sacrifice short-term pleasures for bigger rewards down the road. By delaying gratification, you can achieve objectives that lead to greater fulfillment and prosperity.

As you improve you it, you’ll find greater clarity of purpose and the motivation to pursue your goals and live according to your values. Success and happiness will follow as natural results of the discipline you cultivate within.

How self-discipline impacts various aspects of life

It impacts your life in many ways.

• Health and fitness Developing it through exercise and diet helps you achieve health and fitness goals. You can motivate yourself to workout consistently and make better food choices.
• Productivity. It boosts your productivity and time management skills. You can focus your efforts on important tasks, avoid distractions, and see projects through to completion.
• Finances. Applying it to your finances leads to better spending and saving habits. You can budget, reduce debt, and work towards financial goals like buying a house or retiring comfortably.
• Relationships. It strengthens relationships. You can be more present with loved ones, listen better, keep your cool in arguments, and fulfill promises and commitments you make to others.
• Achieving goals. It is essential for achieving both short-term and long-term goals . You can outline specific steps to accomplish goals and follow through by overcoming obstacles, staying motivated, and not quitting in the face of failures or setbacks.

Self-discipline in one area of life often translates into other areas as well. By building your willpower and mental toughness, you gain the ability to control impulses and delay gratification, which serves you well in all pursuits. Overall, it leads to greater success, happiness, and life satisfaction.

Differentiating Self-Discipline from Willpower and Motivation

Self-discipline is different from willpower and motivation. While all three are related, it’s important to understand the distinctions:

Willpower refers to your ability to resist short-term temptations and desires in order to achieve long-term goals. It’s a finite resource that can be depleted over time. It is the skill and habit of aligning your behavior with your values and priorities. It leads to consistency and follow-through.

Motivation is the emotional and psychological drive that activates behavior and gives it energy and direction. It’s often short-lived and dependent on “feeling motivated.” It lets you continue to progress even when motivation fades.

Developing it requires determination and practice. It involves:

• Defining your core values and priorities What really matters to you?
• Setting clearly defined rules and limits Be specific about the behaviors you want to change.
• Start small and build up gradually. Don’t aim for major life changes right away.
• Plan and prepare in advance. Have strategies in place for when your willpower is tested.
• Reflect regularly on your progress and reward yourself for milestones achieved. Staying motivated will keep you disciplined.

It is a learned skill that becomes second nature over time with conscious effort and consistency. While it requires willpower and motivation to get started, it is what allows you to persist long after the initial enthusiasm has worn off. Developing this important habit will serve you well in achieving your goals and maintaining healthy behaviors.

Developing Self-Discipline Techniques

Developing self-discipline techniques requires practice and patience. Start by setting small, achievable goals and sticking to them. As your confidence grows, you can aim higher. Some tips to build :

• Develop a routine and schedule. : Plan your days and weeks. Establish regular times for waking up, exercising, working or studying, and leisure activities. Having structure and consistency in your life builds discipline over time. Start with a basic routine, then build from there.
• Start small and build up gradually. : Don’t try to change everything at once. Pick one area to focus on, like waking up an hour earlier or reducing screen time before bed. Once that habit is formed, choose another small goal. Incremental progress is key.
• Practice mindfulness. : Spend a few minutes each day focused on your breathing or the present moment. This helps strengthen your concentration and self-control. With regular practice, you’ll get better at avoiding distractions and delaying gratification.
• Remind yourself why self-discipline matters.: Revisit your priorities and goals, then consider your daily choices and habits. Ask yourself whether they align with what you want to achieve. Make adjustments as needed to stay on track.
• Self-discipline gets easier with consistency. : Stay patient and committed; follow through each day, and before you know it, your disciplined mindset will become second nature. With this personal growth, you’ll achieve more than you ever thought possible.
• Focus on one habit or area at a time. : Don’t try to overhaul your whole life at once. Pick one concrete thing you want to change, like going to bed an hour earlier or cutting out sugary snacks, and focus on that first before moving on to something else.
• Remove temptations. :Make it easier on yourself by eliminating distractions and triggers. Put your phone away, turn off notifications on your devices, and try to minimize interruptions. The fewer diversions, the more discipline you can exert.
• Start your day strong. :How you begin your morning often sets the tone for the rest of the day. Establish a consistent wake-up routine that includes exercise or meditation. Eat a healthy breakfast. Getting an early start builds momentum to continue positive habits throughout the day.
• Review your goals and progress regularly. : Check in with yourself to make sure you’re still on track. See what’s working and not working. Be flexible—you may need to adjust timelines or make changes to your goals or strategies. But don’t give up. Building new habits and self-discipline takes continuous effort and practice. Stay committed, and you will improve over time.

Lack of Self-Discipline: 13 Root Causes & 9 Ways to Fix It

With ongoing practice of these techniques, you can strengthen this and your willpower. But remember, lasting change happens gradually. Be patient and kind with yourself; celebrate small wins along the way; and stay determined. You’ve got this!

Now you understand the core principles behind self-discipline and what it takes to develop this critical skill. By starting small, building good habits, accepting failure, focusing on progress, and staying consistent, you have the tools to strengthen your discipline over time.

Be patient with yourself as you work to improve. Apply what you’ve learned here consistently, and your discipline will grow. You already have everything within you to become self-disciplined and achieve your goals. Stay dedicated and keep practicing; you’ve got this!

• Motivation vs. Discipline: How to Leverage Both Tamara Franklin PUBLISHED IN HubSpot
• Beyond Willpower: Strategies for Reducing Failures of Self-Control BY ANGELA L. DUCKWORTH, KATHERINE L. MILKMAN, AND DAVID LAIBSON February 13, 2019 – A RESEARCH Psychological Science in the Public Interest  (Volume 19, Number 3) Read the Full Text ( PDF ,  HTML )
• NEUROSCIENTIST: You will NEVER LACK Motivation Again

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How to Improve Self-Discipline

Author brian tracy offers suggestions—plus yes-ands and yes-buts..

Posted December 15, 2021 | Reviewed by Davia Sills

• Some people do well to block out 15 minutes a day toward achieving an important goal that could otherwise be left undone.
• A potent tool for growth: Meet regularly with a trusted person for a half-hour a week in which you discuss each other's goals.
• Make it harder to do what you're trying to avoid.

Brian Tracy has written 80 self-help books with a core interest in self-discipline. He distills his advice on that in a video: 5 Hacks to Improve Self-Discipline This Year.

Here are those five tips plus my yes-ands and yes-buts.

1. Try time-blocking

"Set aside 15 minutes a day to work on your goal. Treat it as any appointment and show up on time…. After one month, you'll have spent seven hours on your goal."

The question is, how to motivate yourself to do it and stay with it? Might it help to write it in your daily calendar, say for just two days? That's not much of a commitment, yet perhaps enough time to help you decide whether it's worth calendaring it for at least one more day.

Or if your goal doesn't feel compelling enough to do even that, maybe you need a different goal. Perhaps something bigger, like a change-the-world goal. Or something smaller and more surely doable, like cleaning your home 15 minutes at a time, so you can feel better about yourself, thereby be more likely to accomplish other things, or so you feel okay about inviting someone over.

2. Get an accountability partner

"Someone who will check in with you periodically, and you can check in with them to help them with their goal. Many of us find it easier to let ourselves down than to let someone else down."

But what if you don't have a viable such partner? People often feel that way because they'd be embarrassed to ask someone. Might you not feel embarrassed if you frame it as, "We all like to grow, and I believe in co-mentoring. Because I respect you, what do you think of our trying a half-hour conversation in which we discuss an issue of yours, and then we discuss one of mine?" Here's more on co- coaching .

Still don't feel like asking someone? Then do you want to try sharing your goal with your social media followers? Just honestly report your progress or lack thereof.

3. Remove temptation

"Remove what will challenge your focus. If you're trying to lose weight, remove unhealthy foods from your home. If you're trying to cut spending, set aside a budget and put the rest in savings."

That can help, but you might more likely keep from buying that ice cream or spending beyond your budget if you create a mantra that reminds you of the key reason you want to achieve your goal. If it's weight loss, is it for your health, attractiveness , or to feel more comfortable in your clothes? If it's spending less, is it to avoid poverty, so you can live consistent with your professed environmentalist/non-materialistic values, or to stop your spouse from guilt -tripping you for overspending? If you want to stop your substance abuse , is it mainly to help your health, relationships, or work life? Try saying your mantra three times in the morning, again at lunch, and before you go to bed.

4. Have an aim, a purpose

That needn't be something earth-shaking—For you, something that big may not feel realistic . My typical client doesn't want to change the world but would be happy living in a decent home with a decent job, raising kids well, giving a little money or time to charity, and having some fun along the way.

So do you have one or more aims, large or small, that feel motivating enough for you to prioritize? If your goal is big, should you break it into baby steps? You might even draw a "thermometer" with the baby steps on the side, which you'd color it in each time you achieved one.

5. Eat that frog

"Tackle your ugliest tasks first. If your start your day with that, the rest will seem easier."

Here, I don't agree. One size doesn't fit all. Morning people who don't have more time-sensitive tasks to do might tackle a frog first. But other people might save their frogs for later in the day when it feels right.

The takeaway

Is there at least one idea here that you'd like to try?

I read this aloud on YouTube.

Marty Nemko, Ph.D ., is a career and personal coach based in Oakland, California, and the author of 10 books.

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A Guide to Developing the Self-Discipline Habit

By leo babauta.

One of the most important life skills to develop, for those just starting out in life (and everyone else!), is the skill of self-discipline.

It’s like a superpower: when I developed some self-discipline, I started exercising and eating healthier and meditating and writing more, I quit smoking and ran marathons, I started a blog and wrote books, I read more and work earlier, I decluttered and transformed my finances. I’m far from perfect, but I’ve learned a lot.

But if you don’t develop self-discipline, it causes problems: health problems, distraction, procrastination, financial problems, clutter, things piling up and overwhelming you, and much more.

So it’s such an important skill to develop, but most people don’t know where to start. This guide is aimed at helping you get started.

I’m writing it for my kids, and for anyone else who would like to develop a superpower.

Finding Motivation

The first question is, how do you even get motivated to start? Most of us don’t want to think about our lack of discipline, let alone take a bunch of actions.

For me, the motivation came from realizing that what I was doing wasn’t working. Ignoring the problems only made things worse. Trying to be disciplined but doing it half-assedly only resulted in me feeling bad about myself. Being wholly undisciplined was causing myself a bunch of pain.

Once you realize that you’re causing yourself pain … you might develop a whole-hearted intention to stop hurting yourself. You might say, “OK, that’s enough with making my life worse. Let’s try to make it less worse.”

With that in mind, you can tell yourself that you are going to:

• Start taking small actions to make things better
• Do the things that hurt you less
• Push yourself into discomfort a little bit, so you can get better at this over time
• Get good at self-discipline with some practice

Keep these things in mind as you practice, as you get the urge to not practice, and as you make mistakes and then want to give up.

There are other good motivations as well:

• Wanting to help others — if you get better at exercise or healthy eating, for example, you can help your aging parents who need to get better at these things. If you get better at not procrastinating on your life’s work, you can help more people with that meaningful work. More on this below, in the “Focus on Others” section.
• Appreciating life — we have a short time here on Earth, and the life we have is a gift. When we procrastinate and give in to endless distraction, and don’t make the most of our time, we are not fully appreciating the gift we have. Instead, we can appreciate it by being present, being grateful, and being purposeful about how we spend our time.

With these motivations – or whatever motivations move you the most – we can start to practice.

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 can’t say no.

Have some taxes to do? Just do 5 minutes. Want to run? Just run for 10 minutes. Have a report to work on? Just do the first few paragraphs. Want to declutter? Just find 5 things to declutter.

You’ll get better at self-discipline if you focus on small tasks, and break bigger projects into small tasks. Read more .

Discomfort Training

One of the reasons we don’t have self-discipline is because we run from the hard, uncomfortable things. We would rather do the easy, comfortable, familiar things.

So instead of facing our hard, uncomfortable projects or finances, we run to distractions, videos, games. This running from discomfort is ruining our lives .

What you can tell yourself is that you’re done running. You are going to push into discomfort, a little at a time, and get good at being uncomfortable. This is another of your superpowers. When others run, you’re OK (even if it’s not always fun).

One small task at a time, push yourself into discomfort. See how it feels. See that it’s not the end of the world. See that you are awesome enough to handle discomfort, and that the results are well worth it.

Mindfulness with Urges

You’ll have the urge to quit doing something hard, or to put it off for now. Those urges don’t serve you well.

Instead, develop mindfulness around those urges, and see that you don’t have to follow them.

A good way to do that is to set a time for yourself where you can do nothing but X. For example, for the next 10 minutes, you can do nothing but write your book chapter (or exercise, meditate, etc.). When you have the urge to procrastinate or run to distractions, you’ll easily see it, because you’re either writing the book, or you’re not. When you have the urge, tell yourself you can’t follow it, you have to either write your book chapter or sit there and do nothing.

Raymond Chandler used that as his simple writing system: “Write or nothing. I find it works. Two very simple rules, a. you don’t have to write. b. you can’t do anything else.”

The reason it works is that you are setting up a time where you do nothing else but that one specified task, and you can see your urges to run away. Use this to learn to be mindful of your urges, and see that you don’t have to follow them.

Interval Training

If you combine the above items into a system of bursts, or intervals, you can train yourself using interval training:

• Set your intention to practice self-discipline and not hurt yourself anymore.
• Set a task to focus on (writing, drawing, strength training, meditating, etc).
• Set a timer for 10 minutes. Five minutes is also fine if 10 is too long. Don’t go longer until you get good at 10 minutes, then increase to 12 and eventually 15. I don’t find I need to go beyond 15-20 minutes even when I’m kicking butt.
• Do nothing but sit there and watch your urges, or push into your discomfort by doing the task.
• When the timer goes off, give yourself a 5-minute break.

You can train for several intervals, or potentially for an hour or two. Then take a longer break, and do another set of intervals after that.

This kind of interval training is fantastic, because it’s not that hard, you really train yourself in discomfort and watching urges, and you can get a lot done this way.

A Focus on Others

When you find yourself struggling, dig into deeper motivation: doing your work/exercise/meditation etc. not for yourself, but for others.

For example:

• I’m writing this article to help my kids, and anyone else who might benefit.
• I work out to be healthy, not only for myself but as an example for my kids and others who might benefit.
• I meditate not only for my own peace and sanity, but so that I can help others find their own peace and sanity.
• You might draw or write or play music to inspire others.

In each example, you might benefit … but you’re also doing it to benefit others. And this benefit to others is much more motivating than doing something just for yourself.

Try it … try doing a difficult task for someone else. Tell them you’re going to do it for them beforehand, then keep them in mind as you do it. See if you feel more motivated.

Victories in Success & Failure

A huge mistake that a lot of people make is that they mess up, and get discouraged by this. They feel bad about messing up. This causes them to give up and not want to think about developing self-discipline.

Here’s the thing: failure is actually a victory.

Failure means you tried. So it’s a victory from the start.

But it also means you learned something — you now know that what you tried didn’t quite work. Next time, you can try something a bit different. Add more accountability, try it at a different time, unplug your wireless router, get a workout partner, anything. Because of your failure, you have new information. You’ve learned, and that helps you get better.

Failure is a victory. Success is also a victory. No matter what your result, you can see it as an opportunity to learn, to grow, to get better.

Drop any ideas of being perfect at this, and just keep trying.

The next time you fail at whatever you’re trying, instead of letting it get you discouraged, see it as a victory. Then keep going, no matter what, because giving up is only going to hurt you some more.

Getting Support

You’re not in this alone. You have family, friends, online strangers who can help you. Form a support team by reaching out to the people around you, and asking for their help.

Lots of people skip this because they are embarrassed by their lack of discipline. They feel that the way they behave is shameful. That’s not true. Actually, we all act like this, but we’re just afraid to show that side to each other. But the truth is, if you show your “dark” side to people, they actually love you more, trust you more, relate to you more. So don’t be afraid to connect with others in a vulnerable way.

Find the courage to ask for help. Then let yourself be supported as you work on pushing yourself into discomfort and hurting yourself less.

If you need help from me, I’m offering a course in Building Self-Discipline in my Fearless Living Academy .

You can do this.

Posted: 05.23.2017

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How to Develop Self-Discipline to Succeed

Success starts with self-mastery, and at the core of this mastery is self-discipline.

Did you know the most successful people have gotten to where they are today because they have learned to practice self-discipline?

Becoming a self-disciplined person involves understanding what self-discipline means, learning the skills to develop it, and making a consistent effort to apply it in all areas of your life.

Many of the most successful individuals credit their achievements to their ability to practice self-discipline, which has significantly contributed to their well-being and success.

If you’re ready to take control of your actions and thoughts, let’s explore self-discipline together and set the stage for your greatness.

What Is Self-Discipline?

Let’s start with the basics.

The word self-discipline is actually made up of two parts. The noun “discipline” means “training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character” ( Merriam-Webster Dictionary ).

The ‘self’ means you have the willpower to do these things on your own, without someone telling you to do them.

So self-discipline means you control your feelings and even do hard things so you can be better and have more prosperity.

More than one self-discipline definition can help us understand the concept better, though. Consider these dictionary definitions:

• Self-discipline is “the ability to control one’s feelings and overcome one’s weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it.” Oxford Languages Dictionary
• Self-discipline is “the ability to control yourself and to make yourself work hard or behave in a particular way without needing anyone else to tell you what to do.”  Collins Dictionary

You can also use different words in place of self-discipline to better understand their meaning. Some synonyms are:

• Self-control
• Self-regulation
• Self-mastery
• Firmness of purpose
• Self-restraint

My favorite definition of self-discipline, though, is this: “ Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.”

To be completely truthful, it is easy to do something when you feel like it. However, it’s when you don’t feel like doing something and you force yourself to do it anyway is when you move your life and career onto the fast track.

Controlling our feelings in the moment so we can have something better later takes hard work. It involves delayed gratification, which is not acting on your impulses.

It is doing what you have to do now so you can do what you want to do later.

As psychologist Arden Mahlberg explains in one of his self-discipline quotes: “Discipline really means our ability to get ourselves to do things when we don’t want.”

Disciplining one’s conduct leads to success in anything you want to accomplish. Apply the principles of self-discipline to both your personal and professional life.

The Importance of Self-Discipline

Mastering the art of self-discipline is a gateway to numerous advantages. When you demonstrate regular self-discipline, you streamline and focus your path toward achieving your aspirations. This focused approach minimizes distractions and paves the way for substantial progress towards your goals.

Self-discipline is beneficial because it:

• Reduces stress and anxiety , which often come from procrastination, wasting time, or not having a plan to follow.
• Makes you feel more confident in your abilities to accomplish things , which leads to living a happier life to becoming your best self.
• Accelerates personal improvement in all areas of our lives , including physical and mental health, education, career, financial independence , and relationships.
• Helps students gain more knowledge , make fewer careless mistakes, and perform better than those who do not, regardless of IQ,
• Can help those in the workplace achieve higher income , the feeling of achievement in one’s career, and a higher rate of accomplishing one’s goals.
• Enhances relationships and is seen to correlate with stronger, more enduring personal relationships.
• Fosters resilience, enhancing your ability to recover from setbacks and further strengthening your control over impulses.

Recognizing the Signs of a Self-Discipline Deficit

So how do you know if you lack self-discipline?

There are some self-sabotaging behaviors to look for. One sign is that you find yourself making excuses for your behavior and falling short on things.

For example, promptness requires self-discipline. If you are often late to appointments, work, or other commitments but blame it on traffic, hitting the alarm too many times, or staying up late to finish a project, you likely lack self-discipline. Instead, you should take personal responsibility for leaving earlier, getting up on time, or not procrastinating at the start of your project.

Another sign you need to build self-discipline is if you give in to temptation and just can’t seem to reach your goals. That could be eating too much so you cannot make your ideal weight or not advancing in your career because you give in to the temptation of spending some of your free time on social media instead of taking an online course.

One more sign that you need to improve your self-discipline is that you wait to feel motivated before doing something. For example, if you want to write a book and are waiting until the right moment when you feel energized to do it, you will probably never accomplish it.

The power of self-discipline gets you out of your comfort zone and lets you soar to new and unimaginable heights.

7 Steps to Develop Self-Discipline

When you have the determination to improve self-discipline, you open up many doors to new opportunities.

But it takes more than willpower to improve your ability to achieve self-discipline within yourself. You need to develop skills by learning and training yourself to practice self-control until self-discipline becomes a habit.

Follow these seven steps to success.

1. Decide What You Want

You have a lot of ideas floating around in your head. The first step to improving your future self-discipline is to organize your thoughts and figure out what you want.

As Napoleon Hill puts it in one of his self-discipline quotes:

“Self-discipline begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don’t control what you think, you can’t control what you do. Simply, self-discipline enables you to think first and act afterward.”

Decide exactly what it is you want in each part of your life.

Do you need to increase your knowledge of the trends in your industry so you can advance to a higher position?

Do you want to adopt healthy habits like exercising and healthy eating so you feel better, improve your physical health, increase your self-confidence, and open yourself up to more opportunities?

Is learning a new language or skill something you want to do to open new doors professionally or personally?

Tap into your self-awareness and think about what you want to do and be. Become a “meaningful specific” rather than a “wandering generality.”

What decisions do you need to make today to start moving toward the top of your field?

Whatever it is, make a decision now, and then get started. This single act alone can change the whole direction of your life.

Understand that any new endeavor you take on will take effort and a willingness to delay gratification. But enduring temporary discomfort is always worth the reward of long-term gain.

2. Identify and Remove Temptations

Distractions are the enemy of accomplishment and discipline. Your ability to resist temptation will turn bad, unhealthy habits, into good habits.

One of the wisest things you can do to resist temptations is to simply remove temptations as much as possible.

If checking your social media feed has become a time-waster, reduce your screen time by setting limits on your smartphone, turning off notifications, scheduling specific times when you can check your accounts, or deleting the apps that do not contribute to your goals or overall well-being.

If you are easily distracted by how readily accessible entertainment is, remove things like television, video platforms, or subscription streaming services from your environment.

Do the same with tempting foods, people who are a negative influence, or anything else that is impeding your progress.

Your environment sets you up for success. Being honest with yourself about what those distractions are is key to your success.

Fewer distractions have a tremendous impact on accomplishing your goals.

Self-denial may seem difficult at first, but when one’s desires are tempered, it allows for blossoming into a newer and better version of oneself.

Conduct a time audit to identify your temptations and time wasters. Over the next several days, keep track of what you do all day. Writing it down will allow you to analyze how you spend your time and change it into how you want to spend your time.

Removing temptations is liberating.

As Harvey Dorfman, a mental skills coach, puts it, “Self-discipline is a form of freedom. Freedom from laziness and lethargy, freedom from the expectations and demands of others, freedom from weakness and fear — and doubt.”

3. Find an Accountability Partner

Sometimes it’s hard to stay disciplined when you’re working in silence.

Having someone to share your goals and keep you accountable can help keep you on track and motivated to stay disciplined.

An accountability partner can help you overcome the challenge of making the changes you need to restrain your impulses and make better decisions.

Setting a specific goal makes you 10% more likely to achieve it. But committing to someone else that you will do it increases your success rate by 65%, and making an appointment to report back to that person raises it even higher to 95%.

An accountability partner is someone with whom you agree to help each other stay on track toward achieving your goals.

In your effort to improve self-discipline, knowing that you need to report your actions to someone else will help you stay motivated, and you will do the same for them.

An ideal accountability partner is someone who is working toward similar goals as you. For example, if your goal is to start your own business, choose an accountability partner who shares the same entrepreneurial goal. In this way, you can learn together, brainstorm solutions, and share helpful insights on the training each other is receiving.

You should also choose someone who wants to be held accountable — a person as interested in building self-discipline as you are.

The right accountability partner is trustworthy and will keep your discussions confidential. They are kind and encouraging yet will also ask you difficult questions and give constructive criticism to help you stay on track.

Share your goals with your accountability partner, be honest about your progress, and stay connected regularly. Set daily, weekly, and monthly check-in appointments, and keep these sessions short and on-topic.

Communicate in a way both of you are comfortable with, such as email, text, phone calls, in-person meetings, or a combination of several modes of communication.

The positive reinforcement and encouragement you receive from your accountability partner — and in turn, give to them — can make all the difference in overcoming the roadblocks you have been experiencing and catapulting you toward making your hopes and dreams a reality.

4. Write Your Goals Down

Always think on paper — or an electronic device. A goal that is not in writing is not a goal at all. It is merely a wish and it has no energy behind it.

Write your goals down, clearly and in detail. The most successful goals are SMART goals : specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Define your long-term goals, but then set small goals and work your way to bigger ones. Baby steps are easier to visualize and achieve. They help you overcome your challenges more effectively than focusing on broad goals that take time to reach.

Reaching your smaller goals will motivate you to continue on the road to progress.

If your goal is to eat healthier, for example, start by adding one new healthy food to your diet each week. You don’t have to eliminate all unhealthy food at once. Going slowly will help you stay motivated.

It takes a tremendous amount of willpower to make a total, sweeping change all at once. But making gains step by step will be training your mind to exercise self-control in manageable increments until it becomes a habit and you no longer have the desire to return to old ways.

Use these examples of SMART goals as inspiration to write down your own:

• I will increase business sales from repeat customers by 5% by the end of the quarter by gathering contact information at the point of sale and following up with strategies that make them feel valued.
• I will decrease the number of times I complain to once every other day by May 31st to improve my mental health by taking 10 seconds to think about my words before sharing them.
• I will continue to lose weight by adding exercise to my morning routine by walking for 30 minutes before eating breakfast for the next three weeks.
• I will learn to play the major chords on the guitar by my birthday by watching tutorial videos and practicing for 15 minutes per day.
• I will improve my academic performance on class assessments by 10 percentage points by the mid-term exam by recording lectures, listening to them on my commute, and outlining notes from each lecture within two days of hearing them.

5. Make To-Do Lists

Keep yourself on track daily by making a to-do list of everything you can think of that you are going to have to do to accomplish your goal. This is one of the most important things you can do to help you be productive and feel happier.

Lists serve as visual reminders that you are on a path toward excellence. Checking off each task as you complete it provides instant motivation to keep moving forward.

When you think of new tasks and activities, write them on your list until your list is complete.

Revisit your goals regularly to make sure you are on track. If you need to change a word or sentence in your goal to make it more precise, relevant, or achievable, do so without compromising your progress. The key is to create and follow goals that will get you closer to the existence you want, never farther away.

At the end of each day, make your list for the next day. Small habits like this will keep your mind focused on taking the right actions toward exercising self-control.

Be sure to set deadlines for all of your goals and sub-goals. This will help you work hard and achieve results promptly.

6. Organize Your Lists

Organize your lists into a plan.

Decide what you will have to do first and what you will have to do second. Decide what is more important and what is less important. And then write out your plan on paper, the same way you would develop a blueprint to build your dream house.

Group the important tasks on your list into related items. This will help you save time and effort if you complete similar items in the same period. Your mind will be in tune and your workspace will be organized with what you need.

Avoid multitasking. While it may seem like you are busy doing more, multitasking actually serves as a distraction as you cannot devote the right amount of mental energy to a single task. Tackle one item at a time then move on to the next one.

The challenge of disciplining yourself will become easier as you develop purposeful routines like these.

7. Create an Action Plan 

Do something every single day that moves you in the direction of your most important goal at the moment.

Develop the time management discipline of doing something 365 days each year that is moving you forward. You will be absolutely astonished at how much you accomplish when you utilize this formula every single day.

Internalize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s inspiring words on taking action: “If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but by all means, keep moving.”

Action is imperative to progress.

Research shows that those who use an implementation intention plan are more successful in creating new habits and becoming more self-disciplined.

An implementation intention is an if-then strategy used in disciplining oneself to make the right decisions at the moment. You plan for what you will do when faced with a temptation or distraction.

To use this strategy, complete this sentence with words that apply to what you are trying to overcome:

“When X situation arises, I will respond with Y. ”

Using this plan forces you to be more self-disciplined and cultivate mental toughness.

To help you stay on top of your action plan, consider remembering or writing down one of my favorite quotes that relate to self-discipline:

“Mental toughness is many things and rather difficult to explain. Its qualities are sacrifice and self-denial. Also, most importantly, it is combined with a perfectly disciplined will that refuses to give in.” ( Vince Lombardi )

Set Yourself Up For Success

Begin your path toward personal improvement by developing self-discipline today.

The power of self-control will propel you toward a better life and improved future self.

Setting goals is an important part of developing discipline. If you don’t know where to start, my 14-Step Goal Setting Guide includes more tips on how to set clear goals. The actionable advice in this resource will teach you how to achieve your goals faster than you ever thought possible.

Download the goal-setting guide and tap into your potential to accomplish a world of possibilities.

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About Brian Tracy — Brian is recognized as the top sales training and personal success authority in the world today. He has authored more than 60 books and has produced more than 500 audio and video learning programs on sales, management, business success and personal development, including worldwide bestseller The Psychology of Achievement. Brian's goal is to help you achieve your personal and business goals faster and easier than you ever imagined. You can follow him on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest , Linkedin and Youtube .

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9 powerful ways to cultivate extreme self-discipline.

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“The first and best victory is to conquer self.” ~ PLATO

Learning to effectively lead yourself and others all comes down to discipline. Happiness, success, and fulfillment stem from focus and self-control. It may be hard to believe when you’re facing an all-you-can-eat buffet, the prospect of making a quick buck, or the lazy lure of sleeping in versus getting on the Peloton, but studies show that people with self-discipline are happier. Why? Because with discipline and self-control we actually accomplish more of the goals we truly care about. Self-discipline is the bridge between goals defined and goals accomplished .

Chapter Eight of my new book - Embrace the Suck: The Navy SEAL Way To An Extraordinary Life - is titled ‘Win More Through Discipline And Accountability.’ People with a higher degree of self-control spend less time debating whether to indulge in behaviors and activities that don’t align with their values or goals. They are more decisive. They don’t let impulses or feelings dictate their choices. They are the architects of their own beliefs and the actions they take to achieve a desired outcome. As a result, they aren’t as easily distracted by temptation and tend to feel more satisfied with their lives.

“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” ~ MARCUS AURELIUS

There are specific strategies you can execute to learn self-discipline and gain the willpower to live a happier, more fulfilling life. If you are looking to take control of your habits and choices, here are the eight most powerful things you can do to master self-discipline—which is imperative for life beyond your comfort zone—and maybe even redefining “extraordinary.”

STEP ONE: Know your strengths and weaknesses.

We all have weaknesses. Whether they’re the desire for alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy food, obsession over social media, or the video game Fortnite (what the heck is with this game by the way?!), they have a similar effect on us. Weaknesses don’t just come in the form of areas where we lack self-control either. We all have our strong suits and the stuff we kind of stink at. For example, I don’t care for having difficult conversations, lengthy paperwork that involves digging up old documents I never saved in the first place, holding my temper when someone is shooting at me, or calling into automated phone systems. And therefore, I used to actively (or purposefully) avoid these activities. Now, I strive to tackle them head-on—or I delegate them to others. (Never forget about the subtle art of delegation!)

Self-awareness is a powerful tool for comfort zone expansion, but it requires constant focus and acknowledging your shortcomings, whatever they may be. I suffered from bad allergies and asthma growing up and had terrible eyesight. Those were some significant weaknesses when considering becoming a Navy SEAL. But so what? I trained hard to improve my lung function and used money I’d saved for LASIK eye surgery. Too often people either try to pretend their vulnerabilities don’t exist or they succumb to them with a fixed mindset, throwing their hands up in defeat and saying, “Oh well.” Know your strengths, but more importantly, own up to your flaws. You can’t overcome them until you do.

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STEP TWO: Remove temptations.

“I can resist anything except temptation.” ~ OSCAR WILDE

Like the saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind.” It may seem silly, but this phrase offers powerful advice. By simply removing the biggest temptations from your environment, you will greatly improve your self-discipline. When I decided I was going to pursue the lofty goal of becoming a SEAL, everything in my life had to change. If you want to eat healthier, toss the junk food in the trash. Want to drink less? Throw out the booze. If you want to enhance your productivity at work, improve the management of your To-Do’s, turn off social media notifications and silence your cell phone. Prioritize and execute.

The fewer distractions you have, the more focused you will be on accomplishing your goals. Set yourself up for success by ditching bad influences.

STEP THREE: Set clear goals and have an execution plan.

If you hope to achieve greater degrees of self-discipline, you must have a clear vision of what you hope to accomplish, just like any goal. You must also have an understanding of what success means to you. After all, if you don’t know where you are going, it’s easy to lose your way or get sidetracked. Remember to prioritize. At TakingPoint Leadership, when we work with our corporate clients on strategic planning, execution, and organizational transformation, we remind them that having ten priorities translates to no priorities.

A clear plan outlines each time-bound step you must take to reach your goals. Create a mantra to keep yourself focused. Successful people use this technique to stay on track, emotionally connect to their mission, and establish a clear finish line.

STEP FOUR: Practice daily diligence.

We aren’t born with self-discipline; it’s a learned behavior. And just like any other skill you want to master, it requires daily practice and repetition. It must become habitual. But the effort and focus that self-discipline requires can be draining. As time passes, it can become more and more difficult to keep your willpower in check. The bigger the temptation or decision, the more challenging it can feel to tackle other tasks that also require self-control.

So, work on building your self-discipline through daily diligence in a given area associated with a goal. This goes back to step three. In order to practice daily diligence, you must have a plan. Put it on your calendar, your to-do list, tattoo it on the back of your eyelids - whatever works best for you. With practice, anyone can push the boundaries of their comfort zone every day.

STEP FIVE: Create new habits and rituals.

Acquiring self-discipline and working to instill a new habit can feel daunting at first, especially if you focus on the entire task at hand. To avoid feeling intimidated, keep it simple. Break your goal into small, doable steps. Instead of trying to change everything at once, focus on doing one thing consistently and master self-discipline with that goal in mind.

As we say in the SEAL Teams, “ Eat the elephant one bite at a time.”

If you’re trying to get in shape but don’t exercise regularly (or ever), start by working out ten or fifteen minutes a day. If you’re trying to achieve better sleep habits, start by going to bed thirty minutes earlier each night. If you want to eat healthier, change your grocery shopping habits and prep meals ahead of time. Take baby steps. Eventually, when your mindset and behavior starts to shift, you can add more goals to your list.

STEP SIX: Change your perception about willpower.

If you believe you have a limited amount of willpower, you probably won’t surpass those limits. As I mentioned previously, studies show that willpower can deplete over time. But what about changing that perception? The SEAL candidate who believes they probably won’t make it through training won’t succeed. Why assume our will to win can only take us so far?

When we embrace the mindset of unlimited willpower, we continue to grow, achieve more, and develop mental toughness. It’s the same philosophy as setting “stretch” goals. In short, our internal conceptions about willpower and self-control can determine how disciplined we are. If you can remove these subconscious obstacles and truly believe you can do it, then you will give yourself an extra boost of motivation toward making those goals a reality.

STEP SEVEN: Give yourself a backup plan.

In the SEAL Teams, we always have contingency plans. Psychologists use a technique to boost willpower called “implementation intention.” That’s when you give yourself a plan to deal with a potentially difficult situation you know you will likely face. To be clear, I am not referring to a backup plan under the auspices that you’ll probably fail at Plan A.

Let’s say you aspire to become a trapeze expert, but tell yourself, “Well, I’m probably not going to excel at this, so chances are I’ll be sticking with miniature golf.” That’s a lame backup plan wrapped in mediocrity. We are talking about contingencies for intentional course correction, not planning for failure. So be bold and keep moving forward. Going in with a plan will help give you the mindset and self-control necessary for the situation. You will also save energy by not having to make a sudden decision based on your emotional state.

STEP EIGHT: Find trusted coaches or mentors.

The development of expertise requires coaches who are capable of giving constructive, even painful, feedback. Real experts are extremely motivated students who seek out such feedback. They’re also skilled at understanding when and if a coach or mentor’s advice doesn’t work for them.

The elite performers I’ve known and worked with always knew what they were doing right while concentrating on what they were doing wrong. They deliberately picked unsentimental coaches who would challenge them and drive them to higher levels of performance. The best coaches also identify aspects of your performance that will need to be improved at your next level of skill and aid you in preparation.

STEP NINE: Forgive yourself and move forward.

Even with all our best intentions and well laid plans, we sometimes fall short. It happens. You will have ups and downs, great successes and dismal failures. The key is to keep going. A very close SEAL buddy of mine has had a lifelong dream of not just serving in the SEAL Teams but also making it to our tier one special missions unit. He has every qualification this unit could possibly want, but for some reason they didn’t select him on his first application attempt. Did he wallow in sorrow? Not for one second. He immediately developed a plan to request even more “schools,” train even harder, and he transferred to a different SEAL Team for a better chance to get picked up next time. Easy day.

If you stumble, find the root cause by asking the five WHY’s and move on. Don’t let yourself get wrapped up in guilt, anger, or frustration, because these emotions will only drag you further down and impede future progress.

Learn from your missteps and forgive yourself. Then get your head back in the game and violently execute. Good luck!

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8 powerful ways to develop self discipline - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

8 powerful ways to develop self discipline

Self-discipline is the characteristic to push yourself forward. here are 8 simple and effective on how to build self-discipline – powerpoint ppt presentation.

• Being kind with others, is one of the greatest thing. If you will be kind with others, they will stay kind to you.
• So, it is one of the way to build good karma. Not only one or two habit will build good karma. Also doing it once does not mean you have build karma. But going all good regular will build your karma.
• Whether it is good or bad.

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SELF DISCIPLINE

Mar 16, 2019

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SELF DISCIPLINE. Being able to do what you should and stop doing what you shouldn’t. Self Discipline = achieving goals. As you started this school year you may have thought of some academic goals for this school year. In order to accomplish these goals you must have some self discipline.

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SELF DISCIPLINE Being able to do what you should and stop doing what you shouldn’t.

Self Discipline = achieving goals • As you started this school year you may have thought of some academic goals for this school year. In order to accomplish these goals you must have some self discipline. • Self discipline gives you the power to stick to your decisions and follow them through, without changing your mind, and is therefore one of the important requirements for achieving goals.

Questions • Have you ever been in a classroom when the teacher steps out for a few moments? How do you act when that teacher leaves the room? • How should you act when in the classroom? • Are you confident that how you act meets the teachers expectations?

Self Discipline • How you behave when the teacher is not present reflects on how much self discipline you have. • Are you dedicated to doing what is right?

Ways to strengthen our self Discipline • 1. Decide you want to be someone who’s self disciplined. • 2. Learn the rules that tell you what you can and cannot do at school and at home. • 3. Have self restraint during tempting times. • William Feather “If we don't discipline ourselves, the world will do it for us”.

Reflection • Eleanor Roosevelt: Self Discipline “It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself”. • Reflect on this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt and explain what this means to you.

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