Improving self-discipline is the surest way to propel yourself forward; to the point where achieving your goals is just a matter of time.
Let’s face it. We all have many goals we want to achieve, dreams we want to attain, and hopes of a better tomorrow for ourselves and our loved ones. While this may be true, isn’t it funny how often we fall short of our desired targets either because of that lingering fear of failure, lack of motivation and the need for improving self-discipline?
What if I propose that all your dreams can come true, even without the exponential force that you may think is necessary?
"The ability to discipline yourself to set clear goals, and then to work towards them everyday, will do more to guarantee your success than any other single factor." - Brian Tracy
I’ll admit, most of us are already quite busy people. We’ve grown accustomed to having to deal with whatever challenge life throws our way.
In fact, we are now experts at controlling our environment and manipulating our current circumstance to suit our needs.
However, the real test, which poses an even more significant challenge, lies in taking control of oneself. Indeed achieving self-discipline is no easy feat. It is a skill that, like many others, needs to be developed, improved and nurtured over time.
Improving self-discipline requires practice and commitment. Nonetheless, the conqueror of such a transformative ability stands to unleash their greatness and ultimately benefit from a life of endless success and fulfilling rewards.
Let this be you! Start your journey to your best life today!
What is self-discipline?
Self-discipline is defined as the ability to motivate one’s self in order to achieve your goals. It’s the ability to take action even when you are tempted not to.
Improving self-discipline helps us fulfill our potential by staying on track towards our goals, while also improving our health and wellbeing.
Admittedly, developing self-discipline can be extremely difficult at first since it requires overriding your impulses in order to take a more rational course of action.
Atomic habits offers an easy proven framework to build good habits and break bad ones. You’ll be able to reap remarkable results by making small changes. If you haven’t read this book yet, I’m sure you’ve heard about it since millions of copies have been sold already.
"Self-discipline is about taking charge of your mind and directing it to act in the best interest of yourself." - Gaur Gopal Das
Why is self-discipline important for success?
Self-discipline is important for success for a number of reasons. Not only is it helps to set clear goals and priorities but without self-discipline, it is all too easy to become distracted and veer off course.
Second, self-discipline leads to success because it helps to control impulsiveness and overcome procrastination.
Undeniably, it takes willpower to stick to a plan and resist the temptation to take shortcuts, but doing so is essential for achieving long-term success.
Finally, self-discipline fosters grit and perseverance. In the face of setbacks and challenges, those who are self-disciplined are more likely to persevere and ultimately achieve their goals.
For all these reasons, self-discipline is a critical ingredient for success.
10 Reasons why self-discipline is important for success
1. Self-discipline allows you to set priorities and stick to them.
2. Self-discipline gives you the power to say no to things that are not good for you.
3. Self-discipline helps you stay focused on your goals and achieve them.
4. Self-discipline allows you to persevere through difficult times.
4. Self-discipline enables you to control your emotions and reactions.
5. Self-discipline helps you manage your time and resources effectively.
6. Self-discipline allows you to stick to your decisions and carry out your plans.
7. Self-discipline makes you resilient and able to cope with setbacks.
8. Self-discipline improves your self-awareness and helps you stay in touch with your true desires.
9. Self-discipline gives you the strength to face your fears and overcome them.
10. Self-discipline is the key to a happy, successful and fulfilling life.
Read also: 36 Personality traits of highly successful people
Why should you improve your self-discipline?
Well, for starters, by improving self-discipline you are harnessing the skills that will help you achieve results that were previously thought to be impossible!
In fact, improving self-discipline puts you in the driver’s seat of your life. You no longer abdicate control to external factors that can influence or derail your plans (bad habits, impulsive thoughts and actions, negative people, etc.).
Improving self-discipline will help you stay on track and will open up new doors, allowing you to get more out of life. Now let’s discover the best ways to build self-discipline.
How can I improve my self-discipline and increase my success?
One way to improve your self-discipline is to set clear goals and create a plan to achieve them. By breaking your goals down into small, manageable steps, you can make progress towards them without becoming overwhelmed.
It’s also important to cut yourself some slack – if you have an off day, don’t beat yourself up about it. Just pick up and start again the next day.
Also, consider surrounding yourself with people who have healthy habits and who can support you in your efforts to be more disciplined.
Whatever you do, be mindful and don’t neglect self-care. Read this article that’s specifically dedicated to improving your self-discipline.
The causes a lack of self-discipline
To begin with, let’s look at some possible root causes of low self-discipline. These include:
- Fear of Failure
- Laziness
- Lack of Focus
Fear of Failure causes lack of self discipline
Self-doubt can be a very powerful deterrent and often results in a lack of self-discipline. It’s a type of fear that stops us from taking action because we worry about failing.
We think to ourselves “What if I fail?” or “I am afraid to try new things” or even, “What if it doesn’t work out?”
Unfortunately, fear of failure can lead us to make excuses for why we shouldn’t take action towards our goals.
We convince ourselves that it’s not the right time or that success is reserved for people who are more skilled than we are. We get stuck in a state of inaction and never manage to accomplish our goals.
"Not making a decision is actually a decision. It is a decision to stay the same." - Lysa TerKeurst
Laziness causes lack of self discipline
Unfortunately, some persons lack self discipline because they often feel lazy and not up to the task.
In cases like this, motivation always involves a conscious effort to remain alert as they believe that accomplishing a task requires significant resources from them.
If you don’t have the hunger, the desire to make an effort to improve your self discipline – I guarantee you’ll be mediocre.
Laziness can also destroy our drive and perseverance. We become used to a certain lifestyle and lose sight of the fact that there is more out there for us to accomplish. In these moments, we need to remember our bigger picture and make a darned effort NOT to be complacent.
Lack of focus causes lack of self-discipline
Most people are easily distracted, whether it’s by social media, TV, other people or even their own thoughts. When we lack focus, we can’t accomplish much beyond the trivial because each minute spent doing something inconsequential is a minute not spent on actual, productive work.
The ability to concentrate for extended periods of time is essential in the achievement of any goal, no matter how big or small.
"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." - Elmer Winter
What are the benefits of improving self-discipline?
There are numerous benefits of improving self-discipline.
Improving self discipline:
- Creates an Environment Conducive to Fulfillment and Success
- Makes it Possible to Achieve More Each Day
- Increases Confidence & Growth
- Helps Put Things Into Perspective
- Produces Better Work
1) Self-Disciplined Persons Create an Environment Conducive to Success
Undeniably, self discipline creates a foundation for success by allowing you to stick to the necessary actions in a manner conducive to achieving your goals and dreams.
However, it requires understanding how to identify and incorporate those activities, tasks, and people around you which will allow you to flourish and succeed throughout each stage of your personal journey.
Improving self discipline will help you stay away from negative influences, which may include those who are toxic, pessimistic, or show a lack of passion for self-drive and personal responsibility.
It will urge you to surround yourself with people who believe in your abilities and can be role models (or mentors) for your chosen path.
"Knowledge without vision is useless."
2) Self-Disciplined Persons Achieve More Each Day
Improving self discipline will help you to achieve more each and every day. Imagine waking up every morning with the excitement of getting closer to achieving your goals.
By mastering the ability to discipline yourself, you will always be ready and willing to take on whatever challenge life throws at you.
The good news is that self-discipline has been proven to be a skill which can be learnt and developed.
Start small by creating routines that incorporate activities or tasks you have been putting off for far too long. You can then work your way up to bigger goals more aligned with your passions and aspirations.
3) Self-Disciplined Persons Have Greater Confidence & Motivates
Did you know that those who demonstrate high levels of self-discipline tend to be more confident and optimistic?
Well they are! Many people lack motivation and drive because they fail to recognize their true potential. They allow instant gratification to take the place of long-term ambition, and in turn experience a diminished sense of self-esteem.
Motivation is essential if you want to accomplish what others simply talk about or fail to do altogether.
When you commit to taking the necessary actions each day in order to reach your true potential, it can be both rewarding and empowering. Being self-disciplined gives you confidence in the face of insecurity and instils a greater sense of purpose.
4) Self-Disciplined Persons Put Things Into Perspective
Do you often find yourself overwhelmed by obligations, deadlines, and pressure from those around you? Most people often complain that they have too much to do and not enough time.
In turn, they feel as though life is one big treadmill of stress. However, those who demonstrate high levels of self-discipline have a different perspective.
While others may see failure as something negative, those who are self-disciplined are able to see it as an opportunity for growth. You cannot control everything that happens, but you can choose how you respond.
Self-discipline is the ability to maintain your focus under any conditions, no matter how difficult or unexpected they may be.
5) Self-Disciplined Persons Produce Better Work
Finally, those who demonstrate high levels of self-discipline tend to produce better work – and faster!
This is because they value quality over quantity. They know how important it is to take their time in order to create the best possible outcome.
Without being self-disciplined, it can be incredibly easy to procrastinate and put things off until tomorrow. However, this also leads to a lack of commitment.
The bottom line is that if you want your business or career to grow significantly, being self-disciplined is the only way to get there.
By committing yourself to taking actions that align with your true potential, you will begin to view yourself in a more positive light and be better equipped to continue on this path of personal growth.
"Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most." - Abraham Lincoln
The characteristics of self-discipline
Do you think that all it takes to be disciplined is the willingness to self-deny and persevere? Well, actually there’s more. Here are some of the hallmarks of someone with self-discipline.
Self disciplined persons are:
- Self starters
- Have unwavering Focus
- Respect prior commitments
- Self-Analyze
- Are driven
- Have higher self-esteem
- Are self-reliant
Self disciplined persons are self starters
Self discipline is internal; it comes from within. As such, people who master this ability do so because they want to and not because they have to and much more motivated
Those around them are not the ones propelling these kind of people into action. They are self-starters who are passionate about whatever pursuit that interests them.
Self disciplined persons are focused
Those with high levels of self-discipline are able to focus on whatever task is at hand without getting distracted.
They are able to stay the course, push through inevitable obstacles, and maintain their mental stamina until the work is done.
Self disciplined persons respect prior commitments
The hallmark of self discipline lies in staying true to your word.
People who are self disciplined avoid any temptation that would move them away from doing what they said they were going to do, no matter how difficult or challenging.
They understand that this is a privilege others don’t have and is a responsibility they accept to carry.
Self disciplined persons self-analyze
When you make mistakes, you must learn to quickly forgive yourself. After all ,nobody is perfect.
However, you also need to make critical self-analysis part of your daily regime. It should be a daily ritual in which you train yourself to accept that mistakes happen and immediately analyze what led you to take actions that did not produce the outcome that was expected.
In this way, you will be able to draw conclusions as to what caused the mistake and make a commitment to avoid repeating it.
Self disciplined persons are driven
Self discipline is learned by practice and experience. You can’t expect to develop this ability overnight or without a conscious effort.
Improving self-discipline takes time and persistence. That’s why it’s important to develop habits that will driver you when you find yourself unmotivated.
Start small by establishing a goal and giving yourself a reward for achieving it. This will help you push through hardships and make the whole process fun!
Self disciplined persons have high self-esteem
Building self discipline brings self-esteem. That’s because when you take action based on things that need to be done regardless of how difficult they may be, you develop a sense of competence and self-worth.
The good thing about this is that it’s only a matter of time before discipline becomes second nature to you.
In the meantime, though, you can rely on creating healthy habits to help you perform at your best.
If we don't discipline ourselves the world will do it for us. - William Feather
Self disciplined persons are self-reliant
Good things don’t come to those who wait. If you want things done, you need to do them yourself.
No matter what the task is that needs to be done or how it needs to be completed, discipline helps you take responsibility for your part of it and complete the job on time and as expected.
This can greatly reduce stress levels because you no longer have to rely on others for completion of a task you can do yourself!
Self disciplined persons have self-control
When your emotions take over and cloud your judgment, the ability to use self-discipline will help you maintain control. This is especially true when feeling angry or jealous because these typically lead to actions that ultimately hurt us in one way or another.
Discipline reminds us of our long-term objectives and helps us not do things we will regret later. This is a very powerful ability that needs to be developed and nurtured in order to get the most out of it.
Read also: Essential leadership skills for long-term success.
Final words on improving self-discipline
Self discipline is a skill like any other, and with practice you will be able to master it. If you follow these steps every day, then soon enough you will see results in all areas of your life.
There are many benefits of practicing self-discipline such as increased happiness, better health, improved relationships with others, higher income levels and so much more.
Don’t wait another day before starting this journey towards becoming a more self disciplined person.
Why is it that we find it so challenging to follow through on all the goals we set for ourselves, even though we know that it will improve our health and wellbeing? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Related Topics
Why are habits more important than inspiration?
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to be able to achieve their goals effortlessly, while others struggle?
It’s not because they have more talent or are luckier than everyone else. In fact, it’s often the opposite.
The difference is that they know how to use habits and systems in order to accomplish what they want in life. They don’t rely on motivation or inspiration alone.
Instead, they focus on building new patterns of behavior that will get them where they want to go. Read more
What are the personality traits to become successful people?
There are many different factors that contribute to success, but one thing is for certain – it takes a lot of hard work and dedication.
Successful people have a strong sense of self-discipline and motivation, which allows them to persevere through difficult times.
They also tend to be very optimistic about their future and what they can achieve in life. It’s important to remember that no two personalities are alike – so there isn’t just one way to become successful! Read more
References
Davies, S. T. (2020) 5 timeless strategies for building self-discipline. Accessed: 01-Mar-2021
Duckworth, A. L., & Seligman, M. (2017). The Science and Practice of Self-Control. Perspectives on psychological science : a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, 12(5), 715–718.
NHS (2019) Exercise. Accessed: 01-Mar-2021
