Let’s approach the principles of self-discipline with a little story, something that happens in our daily lives that we don’t notice.
Every time you board a plane, it doesn’t matter how many times the Aircrew (or even you as a passenger) have been on the plane. You are taken through the safety and evacuation process every single time.
Next, you realize that everything is precisely planned, and there’s strict adherence to time. If the plane is scheduled to depart at noon, it will leave at noon.
They know the port of entry to land, everything to the minute detail.
I spoke to my friend Newton, a plane technician. He repairs military helicopters. According to him, it doesn’t matter how many times you have repaired a specific part. You are going to go over it with the manual again.
There are no second chances with planes. Thus, everything is inspected and done with precision. Every screw is accounted for.
Why the story?
Our lives are similar to a plane or a ship on a voyage. But with the thousands and thousands of airports and ship ports worldwide, if you don’t know where the plane is going or when your plane will take off, you would find it hard to reach your destination.
You can’t afford to drift with the wind to reach your destination. It’s a very slim chance of reaching your goals.
This is how many of us are living our dreams. We are out on this great voyage. We lack self-discipline, a map, and a compass and are drifting away.
When we bring self-discipline into our lives, we find we can take control of our voyage.
The Aircrew and the staff on the ground form part of the mastermind alliance, which would help you achieve your goal. Discipline is what ensures that navigation goes as intended. You are reading the map and working hand in hand with people on the crew. It is what you need to ensure a safe voyage.
Self-discipline in its simplified form means ‘conquering of self.’
You are self-disciplined if you can join your body and mind to produce results. You find yourself capable of bringing into reality your dreams because nature has organized life such that whatever takes root in your heart is something you can bring into reality.
If you have a burning desire for anything, note that the power is within you and that you can reproduce it.
Have you observed bulls and dogs in the mating session? The castrated ones have no interest in the mating session, but the non-castrated ones are very interested. Why? Because they can’t form the desire just because it’s not within their capacity to fulfill it.
Thus, for everything you desire, whether writing a book or changing a continent, you can do so.
You keep believing and reinforcing your belief in yourself, and thus you move from mild desire to burning desire. You then develop self-discipline because you quickly identify what needs to be done and do it.
This is why it is said that ‘no man achieves great success who is unwilling to make personal sacrifices.’
If you can form the burning desire within yourself and back it up with action, you will be unstoppable.
Equally, you find that when you develop self-discipline alongside a strong will to achieve your goals, you have no room to follow base emotions like revenge.
Also, Self-discipline teaches you how to avoid hurting others because, in the process, you hurt yourself.
Self-discipline is another word for self-control. It would be best to control your thoughts, mind, and body fully. If you control your mind and focus on achieving your goals, you will find it easier to achieve new levels of growth.
Self-control moves your spirit of desire from low burn to high burning flames. Shakespeare quoted this and said, ‘our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the goal we often might win by failing to attempt.’
When you lack self-discipline, you find yourself doubting. You spend over two months doubting things you can do in 20 minutes.
How do you know a Self-disciplined person?
A clear sense of direction
A self-disciplined person has a clear sense of direction. They know what they should be doing at a given time. They are not easily distracted or misled by the actions of others. They also know the people they need on their journey.
Team Fitness
They are great at being part of a team because they are self-disciplined. You don’t need to drag them to contribute to the team. They are very disciplined and willing to contribute. A self-disciplined person is a great team player.
They are Balanced Thinkers
Balance thinking comes from understanding that there’s a big difference between what I play in my memory and what I achieve, what I believe, and what I know. Reaching your goals involves understanding the difference between these types of thinking and finding a balance between them.
Dependability
A self-disciplined person is a person you ask, “would you please do this?” and all they say is it shall “be done.” The next time you hear from them, it is done.
Loyalty to the cause
Self-disciplined people find themselves very loyal to themselves and the cause they are pursuing. They tend to be more dedicated.
Constructive Creative Imagination
The word constructive makes the difference here, as even a person without self-discipline can have a creative imagination. Con men have a creative imagination. Self-disciplined people utilize their creativity in constructive ways.
In activating self-discipline
- You have to know the definite goal you want to achieve. Sometimes, it takes knowing what you do not want to identify what you truly want.
- Auto-suggestion: You tell yourself that you can and will achieve your goals. From here, you move into’ I have. You start experiencing your goals even before you achieve them.
- Applied Faith: over time, you find that you have, through auto-suggestion, progressed into the very life you want to live.
How can Self-discipline help young people in achieving their goals?
Self-discipline is critical for every person who wants to achieve outstanding success in their field. This is because young people are in a very volatile stage. You are trying to conform, trying to fit it.
About 95% of the world’s population are drifters, so anytime you try to conform and fit in, you are trying to fit in with drifters and failures.
Be loyal to yourself, and you start attracting your own crowd.
Thus, self-discipline is important because it helps young people see that conformity and fitting in is not as important as working hard on your goals.
Here is a quote for you ‘the discipline required to become the person who can do what is required is the beginning of all achievements.’
