Self – Discipline is defined as the ability to control yourself and to make yourself work hard or behave in a particular way without needing anyone to tell you what to do. It has to do with your willpower, resolve and determination to get things done.

There are many factors responsible for success and self-discipline is a major aspect to achieving that. Self – Discipline might not be the only factor responsible for success, however, it is the crux. This is so because it shows readiness, enthusiasm and determination when opportunities come your way.

While self-discipline comes naturally to some, it requires deliberate effort from others. This does not weaken the fact that self – discipline is an important skill. As a matter of fact, it’s easy to achieve (maybe not so easy).

It would be laughable to become unnecessarily harsh against one’s self in a bid to maintain self – discipline. To be self – disciplined would translate to being in control of one’s actions, inactions and reactions.

Did you ever have to struggle with an addiction?

If you have ever struggled with an addiction, you will attest to the fact that you were surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses who diagnosed your lack of self-control. Taking it a little further, you were probably recommended for a ‘deliverance’ session when it persisted.

Supposing that the above is true, it further buttresses the fact that, as a people, we believe that a little bit of discipline would solve all our problems. Seeing as lack of self-control is a prominent attribute of addictions.

Nipped in the bud successfully?

If you have ever overcome an addiction, you would agree with me on the following:

  • You know now that disciplined folks are better at structuring their lives in a way that does not require a lot courage and self-control.

  • You now spend less time in tempting situations.

  • Practicing self-discipline gets easier.

Due diligence, perseverance, taking actions, patience, grit, commitment and loads of hard work are essential to success. Nevertheless, the way to improve these qualities is not by wishing you were a more disciplined person, but by creating a more disciplined environment.

Your Environment and You

Beating yourself up in the name of working on self – control can be ineffective. This methodical approach inhibits our individual desires. Inhibiting a craving from within does not resolve it. Instead, it could lead to an emotional breakdown.

Resisting temptation does not satisfy your craving; it just ignores it. It creates space for the craving to pass.

This is what self – control requires: that you let go of a craving rather than satisfy it.

A disciplined environment will ensure you do not necessarily have to put self – control to use all the time.

You may be able to resist temptation once or twice, but it’s unlikely you can muster the willpower to override your desires every time.

A larger portion of your time and energy would be better spent optimizing your environment. Your social media feed, friends, partners and acquaintances. It’d be easier to sustain when compared to the frantic effort required of you to administer a new dose of willpower whenever you want to do the right thing.

Putting the bigger picture into consideration will make you realise that self – control is a short-term strategy.

Bad habits can be triggered by smell, sounds, sight, taste or even touch. Cultivate an environment that’d make you thrive. Ensure the prompts of your good habits are visible and the triggers of your not – so – good conducts, invisible.

To respect yourself is a noble thing to do. When you have your environment and how you interact with it under control, you get hold of real power.

 

Welcome to Self – Control Hack 101.
The ball is in your court.

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