DEVELOPING DISCIPLINE

I have always had trouble with committing to something. Whether it is reading a book from start to finish, or its losing weight and keeping it off. I usually commit myself the first few days then after that I fall off the tracks. And I know I’m not only one. A lot of people struggle with self-discipline in the world we live in today. Quick gratification is the reason. We all want it now. And that’s why people prefer fad diets rather than an actual lifestyle change, which gets them right back to where they started. This is due to lack of self-discipline.

Discipline is described by the Cambridge dictionary as “being able to carefully control the way that you work, live, or behave, especially to achieve a goal”. So basically, it’s about sticking to something with a goal in mind. Self-discipline is the answer to achieving our goals. But let’s be honest, it is easier said than done. It is hard, painful and it takes forever. But with these tips, you can actually achieve your goals and live a better lifestyle.

Get Out of Your Feelings

How many times do you say ‘I don’t feel like it’ when it comes to having to do something. For me all the time. Whether it is going for that run or exercise or writing that blog article, you will always find an excuse. You have got to get out of your feelings. Put on your big girl panties on and do what you have to do. So, every time you feel like not doing something, remind yourself why you started.

The Big Why

Why did you decide to start running or going to the gym? Was it because you wanted to lose weight? To be a size 0? to look like Angela Bassett when you are her age (that woman looks like a goddess)? Whatever motivated you start, write it down somewhere. When you start to get all caught up in your feelings, revisit that and get the motivation you need.

Know Your Weaknesses

I tend to buy fast food a few times each week because of its convenience. But because its bad for my health I had to put a stop to it. So, I got rid of all the fast food pamphlets in my room. And when I buy snacks, I buy small amounts than I can enjoy at that time. This is to stop keeping that stuff in the room and feeding my cravings. So basically, knowing your weaknesses helps you get ahead of them and to develop your self-discipline like a pro.

Set Your Goals

Goals are the end of the tunnel. For example, getting a promotion, losing 10 kilos. This is what you wish to achieve at the end. Once you have your goal, break it down into small achievable tasks. Then with self-discipline, your goal becomes very much achievable. (Read my first blog article on how to get promoted).

Create New Habits

Habits are the little things that can make or break your goals in life. An example is that chair in your room that you keep throwing your clothes on. Now you have a heap of clothing and you don’t know what to do with it. Yes, I came for you sis. That’s a habit. It probably started with one shirt and now its half your closet. So how do you tackle this? Commit yourself everyday to removing some pieces of clothing. Decide where each one belongs in the closet or in laundry. Do this everyday until it becomes part of you. It may take time but it is very much possible.

Reward Yourself

After a whole week of committing to your journey, you definitely deserve a treat. Rewarding yourself is what a psychologist would refer to a positive reinforcement. When you treat yourself, you automatically begin to repeat certain behavior in order to receive a reward. Besides, you deserve a little something for running after your goal for a whole week.

Remove Temptations

I said reward yourself, but I did not say spoil yourself. If ice cream is your reward, then buy enough to eat at that time. You do not want ice just lying around in your freezer at a time of serious dieting. As the saying goes; hear no evil, see no evil, do no evil. At the time when you are trying to focus on the task at hand the last thing you need is temptation.

Change Your Perception

About a few years ago, I decided to lose weight and I started running everyday and lifting weights. It was challenging at first but I started to enjoy it. After a month, I checked the scale and I had lost 1 kilo. ONLY A KILOGRAM. After all the work I had done. I stopped running and exercising. Later on, I discovered that I saw the glass half empty instead of half full. The way you view things determines your outcome. So, stay positive. Change the way you see the glass.

Do Not Give Up

No matter how hard it is, do not give up. If you fall, get up dust yourself and continue. Never be afraid to start over. There is beauty in starting over because you know better now. You can do it differently.

DISCIPLINE WEIGHS OUNCES, REGRET WEIGHS TONS. I have that posted on my wall to remind myself that although building self-discipline is hard, it is better to through that process than to wish you had done it earlier. You want to look a certain way, do the work. You want a clean environment, do the work. So, let’s go out there and show them whose boss.