Discipline means being able to force yourself to do things, even when you don’t feel like it. There are few things more important in life than that. More so than ever before in 2020, when we’ll all be compelled to work and spend more time at home. There’s not much we can do outside of the house. That necessitates self-control. Lots of self-control. We’re unable to do things like go on vacation, eat out, shop, watch movies at the theatre, or attend concerts, for example. Despite this, we’re expected to uphold high standards of personal conduct. As a result, we’re tasked with everything from working from home to keeping in touch with our loved ones via video calls. Our default state will be to give up if we lack self-control. Because even if you’re not aware of it, we’re all on a collision course toward a chaotic future. That’s how things work out in the grand scheme of things.
Self-discipline is essential to our fight against tyrants. But how do you go about doing that? Nobody knows the answer to this question. “You must do things and not make excuses,” Jocko Willink says. That’s a great idea, but it’s not so simple for us mortals. One thing I know for sure is that it doesn’t happen in a day or two. Instead of focusing on self-discipline, I prefer to focus on the habits that lead to it. A few of these habits have made me more disciplined, so here are a few examples.
Self-accountability
It is your responsibility to follow through on your promises. Do your best to explain why you cannot. Self-discipline is built on this foundation. In contrast, you don’t do what you do because you want to impress others.
You, on the other hand, are responsible for taking care of it. Writing down your goals, intentions, and actions is a great way to hold yourself accountable. There are no onlookers. Be who you are. It’s not necessary to make this complicated at all. Every day, I jot down what I want to accomplish in my journal. At the end of the day, I evaluate my performance. You’re on the right path if your actions and words are in sync.
Communicate openly and truthfully.
To others and to yourself. Most of us find honesty difficult because it requires us to show some degree of humility. We’re afraid of appearing weak if we tell the truth, so we keep our mouths shut. However, this is not the case. People can smell dishonesty a mile away. That means no one will believe you. It’s impossible to be perfect. There’s no reason to keep it a secret. There’s no need to make excuses for yourself, either. It’s best to stick with the facts. Discipline is easier to maintain when you are honest with both yourself and others. Because making a mistake does not spell the end of the world. Even I have my down moments. Junk food is a regular part of my diet. My exercise regimen is frequently shirked. However, I’m honest about it when I do so. That helps me get back on track.
Be a role model for others.
People will not do what you don’t want them to. Also, don’t expect others to follow your lead if you do something no one else is doing. That’s a mystery. Yes, I am aware of that. It has the ring of a paradox to it. Do what is right, and don’t hold yourself or others to a standard you don’t set. It’s not your problem if some people don’t want to do that for themselves. Keep up the good work of setting an example. Even though it’s a cliché, let your deeds speak louder than any words you could ever say.
Every day, strive to improve yourself.
Most people lack the perseverance and motivation to make progress. A customer who purchased my writing course recently complained that it was too much effort to improve their writing. Honestly? It’s difficult, to say the least. That’s why the vast majority of people choose not to. That person received a refund from me. Not for you. Dozens and tens of thousands of people have the desire to improve themselves. In order to succeed, you don’t need to worry about self-discipline. You must, however, have a compelling reason for striving for greater success. Why are you trying to improve a skill? What are your intentions with it? What is your motivation for working out? When you’re in better shape, what do you plan to do?
Put your thoughts down on paper.
To better understand yourself and your actions, put your thoughts into words. In my head, I often have a brilliant idea. But then I put my thoughts into words. I begin to jot down ideas. Writing down my thoughts helps me organise my ideas. I begin by saying, “I have a new idea. It’s…” Either it’s pointless or not by the end of this page. Discipline — or the lack thereof — does not always explain my actions. The right thing to do isn’t always the easiest thing to do. As a result, write everything down. Allow yourself a few days to think about what you’ve written down before returning to it. As a result, you’ll either think “wow, this is fantastic” or “wtf?” Either way, you come out on top in this situation. Why? You put your mind to good use.
Do your best.
Let’s face it, nothing in this world is ever going to be perfect. We will never be able to work under ideal conditions. You know, I’d love to live in a beachfront mansion. Whenever I want to go outside, I wish it didn’t rain at all. There are so many things in my life I would like to change. It’s all in good fun, after all. But in reality, we must do our best with what we have.
Tired? Do your best.
Fired? Do your best.
The bills are piling up. Do your best.
Is this a creepy abode? Do your best.
What happened to all the people I used to know? Do your best.
(Insert reason here)? Do your best. Complaining is reserved for people who lack self-control.
Look ahead a long way.
Summer will not last forever. Life is cyclical. It’s possible to enjoy it for a long period of time. And it can last for a long time. It’s a fact of life that things happen. Economies come to a grinding halt. Jobs are vanishing at an alarming rate. There will always be natural disasters. Pandemics put an end to human life. The sky’s the limit.
Preparation is the best way to deal with it all! Work on both your physical and mental well-being. Create a cash reserve. Get rid of the excess. There is a lot of time in this world.
NOW is the time to live.
However, none of the above necessitates that you constantly contemplate the future. Everything in this life is happening RIGHT NOW. These activities include working from home, reading and exercising at home as well as socialising and spending time with family and friends. You’re doing yourself no favours by allowing your mind to wander. You can only help yourself by focusing on the here and now. Several times a day, I remind myself of this.
Living in the moment is actually a skill. When you’re aware of your thoughts, you’ve gained this ability. That’s all I have to say on the subject. Make an effort to snap out of it the next time you’re preoccupied or clenching your jaw. “So, how’d you do that?” That’s exactly how it works. Refocus on the most important thing: the one thing that is right in front of you right now.
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