What About Self Discipline?
"It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action,
and discipline that enabled us to follow through"
- Zig Ziglar
We often talk here at WA about the time it takes and the commitment to our craft that is required to make it in the affiliate marketing biz.
After reading Howard's blog a day or two ago about Unwavering Focus it got me to thinking again about my own self discipline. If you missed Howard's post check it out, it's well worth a read.
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/h-spinney/blog/unwavering-fo...
But what about self discipline?
I've read much about developing self discipline over the years. Yes I know it is a bit of a sickness I have!
Probably the one statement that has resonated with me the most is:
"Self discipline is like a superpower"
Yes it is that potent a skill and one that I believe all successful entrepreneurs have mastered.
But don't fret if your self discipline is more like a supervillian rather than a superhero.
A lack of self discipline will impact across all areas of your life not just within your online business. It is a very rare person that is completely self disciplined when it comes to say fitness, but can't sustain that discipline across other areas of their life.
Ultimately you find those people can only sustain the self discipline for a short time in their most current fad, but it is almost never a habit and never has any longevity. Because it is actually enthusiasm masking as self discipline - not the real thing.
BUT it is a skill you can develop, and while as with everything worth having, it isn't easy it is possible and I'd love to give some quick tips to get you on your way.
Let's banish the supervillian
Motivation
Motivation is a powerful emotion and one that can be harnessed to increase your self discipline.
Think about what motivated you to start here at WA.
Remember that feeling of excited anticipation of what you could achieve and who you could become?
Why did you sign up for the starter membership in the first place? Why did you upgrade to Premium?
Do you want more money to afford the luxuries in life you don't have at present?
Do you want to get rid of those feelings of dread that you can't meet your bills this month?
Do you want more time with your family and friends?
Do you want the freedom to work for yourself and structure your own lifestyle?
Do you want an overall better life for yourself and your family?
Often our motivation is rooted in our desire to help others and this can create very strong emotions. Strong enough to push us through the difficult times as long as we keep the original motivation at the forefront of our thoughts.
Take some time to review why you started. Is that motivation still as relevant for you today as it was back them? Is there a new motivation that has surfaced?
You should not be holding onto a motivation that is no longer relevant for you. It's not really motivation then it's just a crux and won't help guide you through some rough times because it is not strong enough.
Pinpoint your motivation. Name it and hold it in the forefront of your mind each and every day as you work towards your goals.
Make some small changes
It is human nature to "go all in" when we feel something is good and right for us.
We see that statement often here at WA - you need to "go all in", commit 110%, give it your everything, don't hold back, leave nothing in reserve!
This time I am asking you not too!
Self discipline is a habit, but as we all know habits only stick if you can do them repetitively and consistently for 21 days in a row. If you skip a day it's not going to become a habit.
So rather than tell yourself you will write content for 3 hours every day to show your self discipline whose boss, just do 1 hour.
Yes I know you think you will do 3 hours, but honestly JUST do 1 hour every single day for 21 days.
It is the suggestion to your brain that it is JUST 1 hour, that will keep you actually doing the task consistently, every day and before you know it you've done 1 hour every day for 21 days and it has become a habit.
How much can you get written in 21 hours? I think you will find it's quite a lot and it will be regular, so new neuropathways are developing that will make it easier and easier the longer you can maintain the action.
Set aside 1 hour each day at a time that will work for you. Maybe at 7.30pm after you have finished dinner with the family. That is a definite 7.30pm start, not 7.45pm or 8.
Set your phone alarm for one hour and get to work.
It's JUST one hour, then you can go and watch TV, or do the laundry, or what ever other pressing task needs to be done. It's JUST 1 hour.
Don't wait for the perfect time to start
Try these two suggestions starting today.
Don't wait and don't allow yourself time to make up plausible excuses. There is always a plausible excuse and by using them you will not strengthen your self discipline.
Starting today:
- Make a list of the reasons you started here at WA
- Set an amount and a definite time each to work on your website
Unleash your inner superhero today.
JUST do those two things for today and then tomorrow and for the next 21 days keep your commitment to sit down and do an hour of work on your site.
Give it a go and let me know if you find your self discipline soaring.
Recent Comments
28
Hey Heidi,
That's a great idea. A habit for 21 days, I have heard that before and I like that idea!!!
Tried and True
Elaine
Hi Elaine yes we need to commit just for that little while, make a start and build our good habits for the future.
A great post and fantastic advice. I, for one, however, can't be restricted to a rigid schedule. It just doesnt work for me to assign a particular time to do things. My form of self-discipline is just to make sure that I get on WA EVERY day and do SOMETHING. Whether its just commenting on others' posts or writing content. I have to do something. As long as I do that, I make progress. I figure people have to work out what works for them. And so far, my method is working.
That probably indicates you do already have self discipline Nancy. My suggestion is more for those who procrastinate and then do nothing.
I am like you, I will do something every day, but it may not be exactly the same time, but if I find my commitment wavering I go back to a set time that I know I can make the time and get back into the habit.
Thanks for reading and getting the conversation happening.
Well said Heidi!
I was lucky and had to develop self discipline early in life for a job in sales for which I officed out of my home. It’s a habit that can be developed, and your tips are the perfect way to start.
Thanks.
KyleAnn
Thank you KyleAnn, I too was in sales earlier in my life, travelled to clients selling various things over the years and yes it's a bit the same as here if you don't put in the effort you don't get the rewards.
I love it! It doesnt require alot but it gives you a strong start in the right direction! Brilliant!
Thanks heaps for the comment Katy, sometimes I think we get overwhelmed by HOW MUCH we need to do, but a small step in the right direction is better than no step at all.
Thanks again.
Thanks Derek, some days I feel like I need all the encouragement I can get and I think that's one of the biggest advantages to being a WA member, there's always someone thinking like you and others who have the knowledge to help out.
Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks twice John :)
Sorry the blog ended up a whole heap longer than I intended, so good on you for getting to the bottom of it.
Best wishes to you and your increasing superpowers.
See more comments
Good post, we need to be discipline to help our growing whatever we are doing. I have habit to be addicted to wrong thing that will ruin us. But habit to develop our knowledge in other for us to unleash our potential is not there. We need to be discipline and commitment, I just read comment of a young folks regretting how he was not initially enthusiastic of what stated. He was just giving a piece of advice that we should be enthusiastic of what will start, and achieve our purpose.
This your post encourage us to be enthusiastic, commitment and discipline this three attribute can go a long way.
Thanks very, more success to you able.
Omosomi
Thank you for reading Omosomi definitely self discipline is much easier to maintain if we are enthusiastic to begin with.