Self discipline is one of the most common topics that comes back over and over again with my coaching clients. It seems like all of us are struggle to have the discipline to do something (or anything) in our life. Trouble waking up in the morning? Can’t get yourself to clean the dishes? Can’t finish that report or project on time? Can’t get yourself to exercise regularly? All of these scenarios have an issue rooted in the lack of self discipline.

What I have found to be one of the main causes why most people cannot master discipline easily or keep it up for the long haul, is a clear misunderstanding of the true definition of what self discipline really is. You see, most people go about self discipline in a way in which they eventually expect themselves to start liking whatever it is that they are doing, and when that doesn’t happen, they fumble back into their comfort zone, and give themselves all kinds of excuses as to why it didn’t work out. Such as “I’m not the type to be on time”, or “I’m the type that likes to be under pressure”, or “I’m a night owl”.

Here’s your wake up call:
Self discipline is doing something even if you hate it or don’t feel like doing it.
Doing something because you enjoy doing it is NOT discipline.

Many months ago I started a work out regimen, where I had to wake up very early and complete an intensive workout. Yes, it’s absolutely brutal the first couple of weeks. After a while, you get a little bit used to it. Months later, the habit is there, I do it every day, but it does not mean I like it! I totally would prefer to sleep that extra hour, but discipline is pushing me out of my bed and into the workout. When you understand that you will probably never like doing whatever it is that you want yourself to do, you can start to build incredibly powerful self discipline. That is the case because now, you’re removing the expectation that one day you will feel great about it, and it will be super easy. If you expect it to be hard, yet you push through every single time, you will create discipline on a level that will reverberate into every other area of your life. This is where you can begin to create something magical into your life.

Self discipline is exactly like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the more you get used to it, and the further you can push yourself. Don’t try to overhaul your entire life in one big swoop! Just like you can’t lift the biggest weights right away, you have to work your way up. I usually recommend my clients to start with something small, just to get their feet wet, and to get used to the idea that doing something that you don’t want to do, or that you will never like, is OK! As a matter of fact, it’s via this road that you will achieve your life’s greatest successes. Then, over time, you can gradually add more to your list of things to do that you don’t particularly like.

Doing something that you absolutely don’t want to do but that you know is great for you is the ultimate way to express self discipline in its purest form. Keep in mind that you will probably never enjoy doing it, but that if you keep on doing it, the rewards that you will reap will be far beyond the measly little satisfaction that you get by not doing it in the first place. If you can wrap your head around this concept, you are guaranteed to inflict immensely powerful self discipline into your life, which will in turn completely transform the life that you want from a dream, into sheer reality.

Published by admin5057

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20 Comments

  1. I just started practicing self descipline 1 week ago , how long do you guys think I will get used to it

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  2. I had trouble with paying attention in class the second I read this I listen more and now I have straight A’s thank u

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  3. Hello Very Good Article

    Much obliged For Sharing. Keep doing awesome

    Reply
  4. This little post changed my Christian life. Struggle with sin but while reading through the post I found out am the cause of my problems . I have failed to discipline myself very well.
    But now I told myself boy you can do without this things even though they are fun doing them but they are against your growth in the spirit.

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  5. l truly buy the idea. Discipline is doing what you do not like doing. In addition, discipline tells you not to tell lies, gossip and not to expose secrets any how.

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  6. I am not sure I will agree with you on this one. Starting small is a good tip, but constantly pushing yourself through something you hate has no sense to me what-so-ever.

    Every once in a while, doing something that we don’t like sounds ok, but going through a lifetime of doing something you hate, doesn’t have any sense what-so-ever.

    Why would you hate your life doing something that doesn’t fulfill you?

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    • You have to understand that you are not supposed to do everything you feel like doing just because you enjoy doing them.
      Bible speaking in the book of proverbs 14:12. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
      So you can see that not all that pleases you is worth doing.
      Discipline is understanding those things that is necessary for your growth and success and forcing yourself to do them even of you don’t feel comfortable doing them.

      Reply
  7. Absolutely the best write up on self discipline on the Internet…no new age fluff. The lack of self discipline in the world is starting to show in a big way and finally, FINALLY self discipline is being sought & practiced by an ever increasing number of people one again. Thank god the “if I doesn’t feel good don’t do it” mentality is slowly diminishing.

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  8. For many reason I really agree with this: “Doing something because you enjoy doing it is NOT discipline.”

    Discipline is doing something which you don’t really enjoy doing but deep down you know doing those things will greatly enhance/improve your life (for instance: exercise, eating healthy food, read books etc).. That’s what discipline is all about.

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  9. it is very interesting and informative and stirring up ones soul

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  10. thanks 🙂 really

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  11. Excellent article! it is indeed about strengthening your discipline muscle and understanding that this is something you are never going to enjoy!

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  12. thanks for the useful material you are great.

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  13. Self discipline is doing something even if you hate it or don’t feel like doing it. These words are so true.

    Self-discipline also means self-control, the ability to avoid unhealthy excess of anything that could lead to negative consequences.

    I know form experience that if you do every day a few things that you don’t like to do, your self discipline will contantly grow. It is exactly like exercising your body. Washing the dishes now, going for a walk, even if you prefer to stay at home, or doing something that you usually postpone doing are great exercises for self discipline.

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  14. Self discipline is doing something even if you hate it or don’t feel like doing it. I love it!

    So, how do you take it to the next level? Do you have what it takes by yourself to move the needle? I love working with people who just need that jump start to get going and do the things they already know they should be doing. Contact me to discuss your short-term and long-term goals. Best to all. Tom

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  15. Self discipline is the ability to withstand hardships and difficulties, whether physical, emotional or mental. It grants the ability to reject immediate satisfaction, in order to gain something better, but which requires effort and time.

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  16. I love this!… This is telling it like it is! I 100% agree that there are things… usually quite a few things… that you will never truly enjoy doing but to be successful, heck even to be normal, not even successful, you must do them and if you want to live a great and successful life you need to swallow the pill that you are just not going to enjoy a lot of the things that you will need to do to live the way you want to live. At 41 I've just recently really come to grips with this and this realization and my constant practice of self discipline has carried me so much farther in a shorter period of time than the “if it doesn't feel good then don't do it” camp. Self discipline is literally the key to the universe… to living the life that you want to live.
    Keep up the good writing and stick to the daily practice of self discipline! I really enjoyed this post, thanks much!

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  17. “Self discipline is exactly like a muscle.” That is the quote of the day.

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  18. You are exactly right, self discipline is exactly like a muscle. The more your use it, the more efficient it becomes. I tell my clients all the time that momentum goes both ways… it can create faster progress, but it can also spural downwards.

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    • I just learn something your right about self discipline I’ll make sure I’ll tell the coach the true meaning cause I’m gonna get better at football remember my name Darrell-Juan-bush 8 years I’ll be in the NFL

      Reply

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