CULTIVATING SELF-DISCIPLINE – PART II

Focus on your long-term gain. Giving in may make you feel happy in the moment, but long-term happiness and contentment requires you to say no to immediate gratification. Remember, meeting those long-term goals is accomplished by practicing self-discipline on a daily basis.

One of the principles of self-discipline involves dispelling the notion of time management. So many of us believe that if we had more time, we would be more disciplined, However, it has been said that we can’t “manage” time, because it isn’t manageable. It is finite. We simply use the term, time management, because we don’t like the term self-management.

We don’t like self-management because it’s too personal – too convicting. It hits us in hard places and makes us feel vulnerable. The responsibility gets put back onto us – not our circumstances. The truth is that things do happen in life to derail us for a time – it’s not meant to be personal. Rather, it’s simply an overall principle that ultimately is in your favor. It gives you back the power to make things happen – not to become a victim of your circumstances.

Self-discipline is knowing you can do something, but deciding you won’t. It’s the ability to maintain progress toward a goal even when you aren’t in the mood, when you don’t feel like making the effort, would enjoy doing or having something else, or finding the goal unpleasant. It’s ultimately about regulating your thoughts in order to control your emotions. We’ve mentioned that a lot on our calls – how negative thoughts and their resulting emotions lead you into negative behaviors.

It postpones temporary gratification in order to receive lasting rewards and gain greater self-respect. It extends to every part of your life. It masters your moods, tames your tongue, regulates your reactions, controls your calendar, manages your money, and bridles your body. Self-discipline is not limiting and it’s not punishment. Rather, it actually frees you up for greater things. However, like we said earlier, it isn’t a gift we receive passively. It’s active, and we need to exercise it.

The bottom line is that self-discipline isn’t something that comes easily, but is something you need to be proactive about. You have to make choices. Don’t look at it as something like a life of drudgery or joylessness, but as the path to finding liberating joy, health and happiness. It actually stifles your slavery to your own self-interest and the negative influence of other people around you. You get to control your outcomes and put your excuses to death.