Have you gotten to a point where you had to put a halt to certain habits? How was the process of transition like for you? What holds you from indulging in certain things and habits? At other times, it looks like you lack the willpower to achieve some things and it seems those achieving them have superpowers. The power to accomplish tasks at hand is called self-discipline
Self-discipline is very vital for a successful life. It controls your momentum and speed. It sets a pace for your living as an individual. Self-discipline is your inner power and strength.
Before going deeper, let me reveal to you what self-discipline actually means;
Self-discipline is defined as 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.
Self-discipline is about the power of control, determination, willpower, and drive. It is focused on how you can be better and work better by controlling yourself.
Self-discipline is very important because it is an internal conversation with yourself, setting rules and goals and following them through with the power of self-motivation.
How Do You Develop Self Discipline?
Developing self-discipline takes deliberate and intentional steps and practice; this is because change is difficult and needs a lot of time and dedicated practice to be effective.
Here are five practical ways to develop your self-discipline:
1. Know your Weakness:
Knowing your weakness makes it easier to combat it. Your weakness could be watching movies or social media engagement. Acknowledging them is the first step to finding strength. A lot of times people try to ignore their weakness and this takes away the power and will to properly fight against it.
2. Set a Goal:
Know why you want to stop a habit or become better at something. Visualize your goal and the rewards of achieving it. If your goal is to talk less, visualize it and see the rewards in it. This will be a great source of motivation and drive.
3. Create a Plan:
Having an action plan is a great step. Think and strategize. This is why you need a plan, then outline actions that need to be taken to fulfill your goals.
Your plan must include when to start the action and where you must begin. It must be so detailed that it includes a plan to tackle distractions too
4. Take Away Every Distraction that might tempt your Self Control:
This is very important. A lot of times we leave potential distracting objects around. A person who is trying to cut back on video games should pack up his console when he is working while someone who is trying to cut back on spending can leave their credit/debit cards at home when going out. Anticipating and removing distractions and temptation gives you control over your self-will.
5. Motivate Yourself Daily:
The best way to build self-discipline is through forming positive habits. At times, you make mistakes and find yourself engaging in those habits you wanted to stop. When this happens, don’t be too hard on yourself, rather encourage yourself to be better at it. Visualize the rewards you will get after building self-discipline and let it be your drive. Don’t beat yourself or give up at any point. Always believe in yourself and you will do better.
