Self-discipline is not an innate character trait. At most, a character trait, such as a strong will, can help build self-discipline. However, self-discipline can be learned, but you have to work on it yourself. People are often inclined to make things easy for themselves, but those who give in to this too often usually end up in trouble. Not being able to resist various temptations and having to suffer the consequences is not always fun. Perseverance is also a form of self-discipline. Anyone who has too little of this may have problems studying, for example. However, all this can be prevented by building up self-discipline.
Self-discipline is not a character trait, but a skill
Self-discipline is a form of controlling oneself and carrying out resolutions that go against the inner urge. So do something that you don’t really feel like doing at that moment, but that needs to be done, and forgo something that you would actually like to do. For example, instead of relaxing on the couch after dinner, doing the dishes, or instead of buying a nice blouse or shoes, opt for a necessary replacement of the thermos that has leaked.
Self-discipline must be built up during education
Even while raising children, you can ensure that they learn self-discipline. Children who immediately see their wishes fulfilled and do not have to wait or save for anything, usually cannot deny themselves anything in their adult lives and want to have their needs fulfilled quickly. However, this causes problems if the income is not sufficient to fulfill those wishes, or if their physical predisposition tends towards being overweight.
Children learn to save in order to achieve their goals
It is therefore wise to teach children, for example, that they should save for a luxury wish or, when they are older, should take a part-time job and take the time to raise the money. It is not wise to give the child money in advance to buy something he or she wants (and quickly). What the child has had to save for longer, he will also be more careful with. The pleasure of being able to purchase the ultimate goal is also greater.
Meal times must be adhered to
The same goes for meal times. Children who are allowed to take something from the refrigerator as soon as they are hungry will not only not be hungry when it is time to eat, but will also eat later at irregular times. Bad for health and especially bad for the diet, because a child does not always eat healthy food in between meals, but craves sweets, snacks and other unhealthy, but tasty snacks. Vegetables and fruit are then eaten less.
One’s own will
Self-discipline doesn’t come naturally to anyone. That requires a certain will. The will to achieve goals. Not just once, but every day. Practice makes perfect. The more often you can muster the self-discipline to get closer to your goal, the better it will be and the faster that goal will come into view. Some people only use their own will when they want something directly and immediately, but you can also use your own will to achieve the goals that are important to you.
Don’t choose goals you can’t achieve
The more important the goal is to you, the more motivated you are to work towards it immediately and the better you can muster the self-discipline to take the necessary actions to achieve it. Therefore, do not set yourself a goal that is unattainable or that is too difficult for you to achieve. For example, an overweight person should not set the goal of losing five kilos by the end of the week. Two kilos is easier to achieve and at the end of the week you are happy that you achieved the goal. You will then start the next week with good courage on the next two kilos.
An achieved goal gives courage
However, if you want too much at once and you don’t achieve it, you will lose courage and return to your previous lifestyle. However, every goal achieved strengthens your self-confidence and helps you to achieve your further goals. You see that you can do it and you feel like going further.
Divide big goals into parts
A goal that is too far away is not easy to achieve. For example, if you have a number of unpaid bills, you can set yourself the goal of eliminating that debt burden, but it is good to divide that large goal, which cannot be achieved in a month, into smaller goals. Then start by cutting back on things that are not immediately necessary and by paying one of the smaller overdue bills and in the meantime ensure that no new ones arise. If you have paid that one bill, you will feel good and you are already a step in the right direction.
Don’t start with the biggest goal, but with one of the smaller ones
If you start with the largest bill right away, you may not see results quickly and after a while you may no longer see an end to it and fall back into the old spending pattern.
Self-discipline is important when losing weight
The same applies to someone who wants to lose weight. No one can sustain dieting for long and going hungry. At some point you will be extremely hungry again and you need to eat something. It is better to change your eating pattern so that you do not go hungry, but still consume fewer calories than before. Losing weight also involves exercise, but that cannot be done from zero to one hundred all at once. You won’t be able to maintain that, so start the first week with a daily walk of 45 minutes and slowly increase it in the following weeks. This is easier to maintain and you will be satisfied if you have achieved the distances you set yourself.
An example of self-discipline when studying
Studying is also a good example of such a task for self-discipline. Resolve to read one or more chapters of a course thoroughly within a certain period of time and make notes. The next day you review the notes and do the next part of your study. This way you don’t have to do everything at once and you can study in a well-organized manner. Don’t postpone planned study hours to (unplanned) go crazy with fellow students, but do keep an hour free in your schedule every now and then for relaxation. Leave two weeks free before the exam or exam to revise and you can take the exam without stress, because you will have done everything you can to pass.
If the goal is not achieved
Of course, it is always possible that you will not achieve your goal. Then first ask yourself whether the goal was important enough for you to achieve, or whether there have been other goals in the meantime that were more important to you. Sometimes you may not have achieved a goal due to outside influences. For example, you wanted to study, but had visitors. Or you wanted to have tea without a cookie, but the neighbor came with an extra piece of cake because it was her birthday and had coffee with you. Don’t let that fool you, but don’t lose sight of the big goal and go for it.
Only one target at a time
Always tackle one goal at a time and focus all your energy on it. Set priorities. That works. If you have multiple goals, your energy is divided between those goals and you may not achieve any of the three goals because all three are not really important enough to you. The motivation for each goal is then not great enough to achieve those goals. Therefore, always set your sights on achieving a single goal.
Don’t postpone anything
Go straight to your goal and don’t delay anything. Postponement leads to cancellation, because once postponed, you can also postpone it again tomorrow and the day after. Draw up an action plan and stick to it. That gives satisfaction and helps you achieve results.
Work for yourself
Don’t look at other people and what they can do, but set your own goal and achieve it. You know what you want and can achieve and you work towards it. Every person is unique and must decide for themselves what is important in life and what is not. Don’t look back or grieve for what lies behind you. Blaming yourself for that doesn’t help either. Be positive! The future is what matters and you create that future yourself. Every goal achieved gives you more self-confidence and new energy. You and your willpower determine which goals you achieve.
Order helps
Structure in your daily affairs and in the rooms where you stay helps you to have more self-discipline. Cleaning up usually doesn’t take much time, but you work more pleasantly in a tidy environment. It helps your mind to work and think in an organized and plan-oriented manner. A messy day’s planning leaves you with little achievement at the end of the day and a dissatisfied feeling about your own performance.
Tidy up your work areas
So always ensure a tidy room, kitchen, desk, etc. Don’t postpone cleaning up, because once there is a mess, it usually only produces more mess. In the end, it will be much more difficult to tidy up the whole thing than if you had kept it up to date.
Work on self-discipline every day
Self-discipline is not something that comes naturally, but it can become a habit. Check your willpower daily and stay positive about the goal to be achieved. Also regularly check that goal and the steps towards it, so that the goal is achieved. Your self-discipline will eventually give you a better quality life, in which you are satisfied with yourself and your achievements. Your self-confidence increases and the goals achieved give you satisfaction.