The first and the best victory is to conquer self.
PLATO
Self-discipline is your ability to pursue what you think is right, despite your temptations to abandon it.
Self-discipline generates energy and action. It helps to forge who you are much like a fire is used to forge iron. It gives both purpose and meaning to our lives by hardening us against distraction.
Self-discipline is often overlooked. It’s a character trait that must be worked on. Much like a muscle, it needs to be exercised, self-discipline must be used continually or it will atrophy and become a liability.
Self-discipline is the difference between dreaming and accomplishing.
The Power of Self-Control
People with a high degree of self-control are better equipped to make the right decisions when it comes to meeting their goals. They understand the power that comes from conquering oneself and its importance in living a full life.
They are more decisive and don’t allow impulses to pull them away from their focus.
How does one become more in control of oneself? Well, I’m glad you asked.
You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
MARCUS AURELIUS
#1 Have a Plan
For those of that have been reading my ramblings here for any amount of time know that I say this a lot. If you don’t have a plan then you have no idea where you are going.
If you don’t know where you are going then you have no way of knowing if what you’re currently doing is getting you closer to wherever you’re trying to get to.
Self-control is always at its hardest to maintain when you’re in the moment. This is why it’s important to have a written plan. It helps to keep you on track. Proper preparation breeds success, poor preparation breeds failure.
#2 Self Mastery
Personal Mastery is a way of life. By understanding your strengths and weaknesses you put yourself in a better position to overcome the things that would pull you off course.
Learning is critical to personal mastery, best approached as a willing student, and embracing personal development with a child’s wonder. Learn and grow, and become who you are meant to be.
Know what you stand for. Become intimately familiar with your inner workings and the why behind the things that you do and the emotions that you feel. Become a master of yourself.
#3 Define Your Core Values
What makes you, you? At your very core, who are you and what do you stand for? If you know what you value and have a strong knowledge of your core principles then becoming more disciplined is 10 times easier.
It’s easy to make the right decision and stay on course when veering off the path goes against your principles. They give you guidance towards your goals and allow for a much higher level of self-control.
#4 Practice Self-Compassion
I don’t subscribe to the idea that you should kick yourself in the teeth if you veer off course. Instead, realign yourself with your goals, clear your head, and start again. The more you pick yourself up in the beginning, the less you’ll have to do it further down the road.
Any journey worth doing will have its setbacks. Look inward and find out why it happened than fix what went wrong. Not only the thing that went wrong but the why behind it.
#5 Build Your Character
I can write a whole post on this topic, in fact, I have and I encourage you to read it as I feel it’s some of my best work. I’ll link it here, but will also add some bullets below.
5 Traits Of Character That Will Increase Your Value, Strengthen Your Resolve, And Create The Life You Want
- Reselience Under Fire
- Finish the Work & Keep Your Word
- Tolerate Peoples Differences
- Think About The Long Game
- Work Well With Others
If you lack character you lack integrity. If you lack integrity then you lack the self-discipline required to achieve your goals.
#6 Persistence
Having self-discipline allows you to choose and with perseverance in actions, thoughts, and behaviors you condition yourself for success.
Giving up should be stricken from your vocabulary and instead, it should be replaced with persistence. Persistence, despite failure, is the only way forward.
Missteps Happen
The path forward is littered with missteps. Have the discipline to forgive yourself and to learn from them. Be prudent in finding out why it happened so that you can become more.
Don’t get wrapped up in the guilt or frustration behind those missteps, be disciplined enough to learn from them so that they aren’t repeated.
Get back in the game.
