Self-regulation – the art of self-discipline

byCGroot

531 followers

6 years ago

Self-regulation – the art of self-discipline

Why is it so hard to control our thinking, our doing, and our being consistent?

We all know what needs to be done but it is so hard. Remember back in school when we had that assignment due, that paper due, to study for that all-important final exam? But was so much more fun to watch tv, play on the computer, or in my time go play road hockey with the guys.

Making the tough decisions is not always easy but here are five techniques that may help. Ways to overcome lack of self-discipline

1. 1. Have clear goals

If you know where you are going and have a real driving desire to attain what you want, it makes it easier to focus. People often think that goals are enough, they are not. You mush have a powerful why!

1. 2. Know your soft spots

We all have our weakness which easily distracts us from what is important. Know what these are, confront them, accept them and use them as a treat or means of celebration for when you achieve your task. When you are done give yourself those chocolates, eat those chips, give yourself time playing that game. Instead of fighting them, embrace them.

1. 3. Do it, even if it doesn’t feel right

You are not embarking on the old same old, you are charting new territory. Often it never feels “right”. That doesn’t mean it is wrong. Make the decision to do the best you can and get on with it. When you keep doing this and continuing the same decision-making process, it will become a habit. When it becomes a habit to do what you found difficult before is now ingrained and it continues to become easier each time.

1. 4. Become the best you, you can be developing the attitude that you can do anything.

Ultimately, you are responsible for your actions. Give yourself permission to be in control and this control is to do the task at hand that you know needs doing. When people have the feeling that they are in control they are happier and feel less stress.

1. 5. Start small

Use a template when you start. The easiest is to answer the who, why, what, where, when, and how of your topic. Who is your topic addressing? Why is it important? What is the problem? Where will they find the solution? When or how long does it all take? Finally, how can you solve their challenge?

Write one paragraph a day for a week. Then increase it to two, from there three, and in a month, you will be up to four, and so on. It is like exercising and building your muscles. You start with light weights and slowly build it up over time to heavier weights.

Most important of all is staying positive in a difficult, often negative environment. Where do you start? By bring peace to your mind. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 14:30; “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” In other words, you cannot do anything without a peaceful mind. Take several deep breathes, inhale and exhale with purpose and then live in the moment.

1. 6. Bonus tip - Use your imagination

Picture a positive outcome for the yourself – a finished paragraph, page or article. Emotions are what drive us and by taking a moment to stimulate our imagination we can take the emotion out of a situation and create a paradigm shift. This can be done as easily as smiling. Sometimes, if things get stressful and negative, I will look to the ceiling, smile and say “shite” several times till I get the shift I need.

To great shifts in your journey!