subject: How To Develop Self Discipline [print this page] It has been proven that those people who accomplish more and are respected more have the ability to delay gratification. Think about who we respect - doctors, professors, writers, black belts, successful business people. All of these have made sacrifices to get to where they are today.
I use tricks to develop self discipline. Here are some of them.
1 - Create an environment that does not tempt you to not be self disciplined. For me, this includes things like not having a TV and not having junk food in the house.
2 - Planning, Planning, Planning. it is time well spent when it comes to self discipline. I pack my gym bag the night before I want to go to the gym. I plan my day with what I wish to accomplish. Planning pays when it comes to self discipline.
3 - Set goals. The act of setting goals starts them in motion. The more you revisit them, the more you keep on track.
4 - Keep a log of what you do and don't do. This sounds too simple but it works. By simply recording what you do, you do more of the good stuff and less of the bad.
5 - Ask yourself "what would I like to accomplished by the time I go to bed". This simple question can keep you on task.
6 - Hire a personal trainer. No - not just for working out (unless that is one of your goals) but a personal trainer on the other goals you want to succeed on. It is surprising how well this works.
7 - Increase to pain of not doing something. Simple - do not allow yourself to do what you find pleasurable until you complete the tough job.
8 - Treat yourself when you get something done. You can associate pleasure with a task if you add enough sugar. It works for medicine and other things in life.
9 - I use the mantra "successful people do tough things" I am a successful person so that drives me to do the tough things.
10 - Tell other people your goals. If your goal is to stop something (like smoking), your friends and enemies alike will enjoy pointing out when you are failing. If your goal is a positive like reading a book per week, tell your positive, supportive friends - they will help prod you and support you.
11 - It is all about habits. "We are the product of what we repeatedly do" - Aristotle. Habits do not even take work. You just do them. I suspect you do not even have to think to brush your teeth. You just do it. It is a habit.
12 - Be organized. I constantly look at how I do things and add to my systems to support what I want to do and accomplish. Time management gurus will tell you that organization is half the battle.
Self discipline is a choice. You read the article because you are interested in it. Excellent first step. Now get to some action planning.
