Self-discipline is at the heart of every great person. Life is unpredictable and tempestuous and if you lack self-discipline it will be very hard for you to stay on track. Self-discipline means being in full control of your thoughts, actions and behavior to better handle disappointments and surprises.
More importantly, self-discipline is vital for maintaining your commitment because it eliminates or minimizes delays.
Self-discipline requires a degree of sacrifice but if your goal is to achieve something great, then a little hardship and deprivation is well worth it. Here are the benefits of self-discipline:
1. Self-discipline makes you happier
A study conducted by Wilhelm Hoffman in 2013 found that participants who had self-discipline led happier lives than those who did not. This is because the first group had more structure in their careers, personal lives and relationships. This made them better able the be productive and less prone to confusion and frustration when sudden changes occurred.
2. Self-discipline builds strong character
This is because it enables you to conquer your weaknesses and harness your strengths for optimal success. Having the determination to conquer temptations gives you an instant rush. Having the willpower to keep pushing on when things get tough gives you a sense of accomplishment and pride – and is the best kind of motivation.
3. Self-discipline allows you to achieve long-term goals
When you have a vision or life goal that you want to achieve, self-discipline is your best weapon. If you are not self-restrained, you will often find yourself sidetracked and distracted. Self-control enables you to keep your sights on the end goal and to make it your top priority. Here are a few simple changes you can make to become more self-disciplined.
4. Reward yourself
When you get up an hour earlier every day to meditate or read a book, reward yourself with a nice evening out. When you stick to a diet and lose the first 5 pounds, buy yourself something nice. Regularly rewarding yourself for self-control will keep you motivated.
5. Structure your day
Have a regular daily schedule that includes work, mealtimes, exercise, and regular bedtimes and wake-up times. Stick to it as much as you possibly can.
6. Set deadlines
Depending on the task you need to accomplish, set a short-term deadline (hours or days) or longer-term deadlines (weeks or months). Meet those deadlines whatever it takes. A good suggestion is to break up big tasks into smaller “mini-tasks”, which you accomplish daily.
7. Start small
Decide to wake up half an hour early to exercise. Decide that you will not have dessert for one whole week. Decide to read a chapter of a book every night until you finish it. Start small and gradually expand your self-discipline until you have conquered yourself!
The bottom line: Greatness requires leveraging the power of self-discipline. Self-discipline is one of the pillars of success. It is the bridge between your goals and the attainment of those goals.