3 Tips to Build Self-Discipline
If you were to take an inventory of your life, what would you find? Is there a particular reason why you’re not happy, healthy or as successful as you feel you should be? Sure, you might be able to cast up an endless list of excuses; however, there’s a good chance it comes down to one simple issue: self-discipline. More to the point, a lack of it.
Ultimately, to be successful in every area of your life you must take action. Consistent action requires self-discipline. You can possess the knowledge on how to get fit and still struggle to get fit. You can know what it takes to get the promotion you’ve been chasing and still fail to execute it.
Self-discipline. It’s the ability to do what you need to do when you have to, whether you’re in the mood to tackle it or not. It’s a skill that you need to achieve success. Self-discipline breeds consistency. So, how can you build your self-discipline?
It’s Gonna Be Me
It all boils down to this – no matter what, the only person who can scale the ladder is you. No one else can take responsibility for your success or your happiness, wealth or health. When you reach adulthood, you become responsible for all of that. You are responsible for your attitude, the choices you make, and where you find yourself now.
You chose your job, you choose your partner, you choose whether to exercise or not, you choose whether to watch television or pick up a book. It’s your choice to spend your time the way you do. The decisions you choose can make or break the you and your goals. You must make better decisions, it’s as simple as that. It’s time to stop blaming everyone else and start taking responsibility. This is your opportunity to control what you can, respond appropriately to what you can’t control, and build consistency with your decisions.
Long-Term Thinking
Where would you like to be in a decade? Look at your life now. What does the gap look like and what will it take to get you to where you want to be? Set goals that will help you make the future you want a reality. Don’t set 10-year goals! Set shorter-term goals that build onto other goals to achieve the final goal. This will help you build self-discipline. Celebrate every achievement as it comes, it will help you keep pushing forward.
An Obstacle is Temporary
Nothing comes easy in life and you will run into obstacles. This will be a true test of your self-discipline, but it’s all about changing how you view obstacles. It’s just a brief setback. Look at it as though it’s a problem that needs to be solved. Sometimes you’ll be able to sidestep the obstacle and sometimes you’ll need to put your mind to work to jump the hurdle. While a lot of people give up when they run into obstacles, you have to view failure as fleeting – it’s an opportunity to learn and move forward.
Set yourself up to succeed by deciding right now that you’re never going to give up. Make a plan and stick to it.