What Is Lack Of Self Control? [& How Does It Relate To Your WA Business?]

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Today is not an easy day for me, for more than one reason, so I am really having to focus my thoughts. I do not want to delve into the reasons, however, because, though they are the catalyst for this blog, they are not the cause. Rather than allow the distractions to take over, I decided to examine the concept of self-control, what it is, and the opposite too:what is lack of self-control [& how does it relate to your WA business].


What Self Control Is

In short, I believe that self-control is all about empowering yourself

Lets explore this further.

According to Wikipedia, we have different types of self-control: emotional, thought and behavioral self-control and the also executive self-control as a cognitive function. For me, these are intertwined.

Lets first look at what Wikipedia says:

"Self-control, an aspect of inhibitory control, is the ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses.[1][2] As an executive function, self-control is a cognitive process that is necessary for regulating one's behavior in order to achieve specific goals.[2][3]

A related concept in psychology is emotional self-regulation.[4] Self-control is like a muscle. According to studies, self-regulation, whether emotional or behavioral, was proven to be a limited resource which functions like energy.[5] In the short term, overuse of self-control will lead to depletion.[6] However, in the long term, the use of self-control can strengthen and improve over time.[2][6]

From the above we can derive:

  • Self control:
    • is the ability to regulate ones emotions
    • is the ability to regulate ones thoughts
    • is the ability to regulate ones behaviour
    • is necessary to achieve goals
    • can be practiced, improved over time and strengthened
    • can be overused and lead to having less (that is what is meant by depletion)

If we look at that list above, self-control then is all about abilities and achieving goals. It can be developed and strengthened (just like a muscle as stated by Wikipedia) and it can be overused which will result in having less (also just like a muscle).

Knowing and understanding what self-control is, for me, is really empowering.

What Self Control Is Not

In my mind, looking at what self-control is above, I would say that self-control is not only about self motivation, it is about so much more. So I went digging for examples of what self-control is not, or as I found it "Signs of Too Little Self Control".

A really interesting article by betterhealth.com speaks about this concept of too little self-control and I quote the following from the article:

"Someone who lacks self-control is easy to spot. Mostly because they have difficulty committing to a positive behavior or because they do not have the same ability to regulate their feelings or actions that most of their peers do. Signs of low self-control might look like:

  • Little or no self-discipline
  • Lack of goals or inability to reach goals
  • Low motivation
  • Little to no willpower
  • Difficulty controlling emotions
  • Lack of attention
  • Quick to blame others
  • Difficulty maintaining friendships
  • Dangerous or overly passive lifestyle

Having little self-control (or none at all) has a major impact on day-to-day living. Not only is it difficult to build self-confidence, but it is also hard to work with others and make a difference in one's own life. If someone runs into the same barriers over and over again, it is likely their self-control needs some work. Likewise, if they seem to have a general lack of direction or come off as immature to others, self-control might be the cause."

I don't know about you, but I find this really fascinating. Learning what self-control is and what it is not, or too little of it is. If I look at what is listed above, I know from experience that a lot of those would also apply to someone who is depressed. Even more interestingly, depression leads to low motivation, lack of attention, difficulty maintaining friendships and an overly passive lifestyle, and that is a self-perpetuating downward spiral! So, I think it's safe to say that depression can also lead to a lack of or too little self-control.

Where On Earth Is She Going With All Of This?

Whilst wrestling with myself this morning, knowing that the issues distracting me are not issues that I can do anything about right here and now, I came across the following quote on Facebook (yeah, I was tempting myself with distraction on social media ... blush!), and this really spoke to me:


It was just the message I need to receive today. Maybe you too - I truly do hope this blog touches and helps someone else, it's doing wonders for me (I am actually writing a keyword rich WA blog!). By the way, that is also my little design on Canva - oh, i do love the tools that Canva provides - all for free!

Morgan Freeman must be a man of wisdom, I love what he says here. The only area I may disagree with is this "based on the insignificant actions of someone else". The actions of the another may even be significant, but that still does not take your power away.


Answering The Questions

I do believe the question of "What is Lack Of Self Control?" has been answered above. Lets discuss briefly the second question "How Does It Relate To Your WA Business?"

Today, I could have curled up into a ball and allowed what is going on around me to incapacitate me completely, and I almost did. Thank heavens for Morgan Freeman who caught me on the edge of wandering off into lala-land. Rather, i took the quote, gave it some thought and applied myself to doing some research, some critical thinking and created this blog to share within WA - which is also a SAC criterion. Tick, I did that too.

A lack of self-control today would have led me away from creating this blog, away from the next blog I am going to post on my site and the SEO work I had planned from yesterday. Instead, I am here writing and share with the WA Community - you have all become incredibly important to me!

More than doing the work here and on my site however, I am working toward building my online business, the income from which can and will make a difference in the lives of those I am concerned about today. Money does not solve all problems but it can bring about change! It can change lives, provide food for the hungry, clothes for the naked and education for the less fortunate.

There are three goals I have with my online business:

  • Financial Freedom
  • Geographic Freedom
  • Freedom to make a difference in the lives of others

If I was curled up in that sad little ball today, my business would be another 23 hours away from generating the funds to meet those three goals. Today, the most important is "Freedom to make a difference in the lives of others".

Share With Me

  • What do you think of this article about self-control?
  • Are you in agreement with what it is and what it is not?
  • Do you ever struggle with self-control yourself?
  • How do you manage it?
  • Would you agree that a lack of self-control will negatively impact your business and the lives of those around you?

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, writing this has helped me so much! As mentioned early, I hope it has helped someone else too.

I am very keen to see your reaction to this article: What Is Lack Of Self Control? [& How Does It Relate To Your WA Business?]

Blessings as always



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Recent Comments

32

"Before you argue with someone, ask yourself, is that person even mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of different perspectives? Because if not, there's absolutely no point." - Amber Veal

"Be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about."

I understand clearly what you have written above. It is easier said than done. Why? It is not easy to self-control when it happens to us. But it is different when it happens to others. Food for thoughts.

Thanks for sharing, Louise and all the best.

It's like Piccadilly station here, at the moment. I will have to read again but I already know it's a fascinating post, rather yummy, in fact.
I/we have tried to pass on the benefits of self control to our children. Social media has provided a conduit for stressful times, as well as their teenage peers, due to 'He said, she said' types of interaction and blatant lies being reiterated.
"Why would you allow someone to have such power over you ? Do you think they're at home spending any time whatsoever thinking about you ?"
Morgan Freeman's quote is excellent.

Thank you for the inspiration.

Peace

Great post! Great insight too. Self motivating and strong work ethic has been my MO over the years; and intend to keep it that way at WA! Have a wonderful day.

To achieve control in a positive way you must first have a moral compass based on God's laws. (Something that is noticeably lacking in our Universities and Congress.)

The biggest lie that will get you into all sorts of trouble is, "Follow your heart."

A line I use everyday that was written in Aug Mandino,s book, The Golden Scrolls:

"Weak is the person who allows their thoughts to control their actions. Strong is the person who forces his actions to control his thoughts."

Do the good actions...the good feelings will follow

Amen!
Thank you for that quote - I may just have to make use of it myself!
Many thanks, Allan.
Blessings
Louise

I may be off point here Louise, but I just wanted to share something that I learned from my son who is active in AA.
Simply put - there are some things that you have no control over - don't worry about them - give them up to God or whatever higher power you believe in.
But for those things that you have control over, seek wisdom to do your best to control them.
Again, thank you for a very insightful post.
Blessings
Ray

Hi Ray
Thank you very much for sharing that. Valuable input, I appreciate it.
Blessings
Louise

This can all be summed up by saying Ignorance (About yourself or even what you truly desire and can do today).

Education isn't what you are taught or told to believe, it's everything you rely on to live your life hour by hour.

When your brain isn't on your side, it is because you have listened to everyone else and care about what they have to say.

The solution is to know yourself and love yourself (keeping a journal that allows you to carry on conversations with yourself).

Self-control exists on a sliding scale, you know the ones that are like this:
1------------------50------------------100

Pretty much everything about yourself will follow these types of scales because there is nothing that is permanent about us (except that we know we will die and have a timer counting down).

During the day or every hour, you should check in on how you are doing.

This will bring up many questions that you want to ask yourself. How am I feeling, how is this activity helping or harming me, am I giving my best effort, and should I change something right now?

To stay on course you must practice awareness. Some call it being mindful others call it time management.

You reward yourself for your best efforts and coach yourself when you are giving it less than that.

Anyway, there are plenty of daily actions you can take and that is known as a personal development plan.

How is my health today?
How is my energy today?
Did I rest well or not?
Did I eat nutritiously or not?
Do I know the reasons I need to do each task?
Can I improve something that I am lacking today?
Am I following both my PD plan as well as doing beneficial things for my business goals?

Self-Control is more of a product of communicating with yourself vs listening to other people. After all, we are the only person that knows ourselves and what will be best for us to be satisfied.

Stop thinking about being happy and start working on how well you can satisfy your needs.

Eric

Thank you for your detailed share, Eric.

I really appreciate your time to read and leave your contribution.

Funny, I wrote an article about gratitude for my website today too - it's all intertwined.

As you say, self-control is not about being happy. For me, its about living your purpose.

Blessings
Louise

Good article Louise. Thank you. Our society today, from my perspective, has lost a tremendous amount of self control. I believe this is direct side effect of the internet. Never, at any point in human history, has information, products and services been so readily available; literally at the click of a mouse. I can't tell you how many times I've gone down the proverbial YouTube "rabbit hole" and emerged 1, 2 or 3hrs+ later! Crazy and enormously entertaining. Now more than ever practicing self control, ( and it is a skill that needs practice!), in today's world is necessary for achieving one's goals.

Hi Rene
You raise valid points there, I believe patience is another lost art - until we start learning to build websites, haha!
I indulge in the YouTube "rabbit hole" whilst I am walking on the treadmill - keeps my mind off the pain and I am either learning or being entertained (as you say).
Thank you for taking the time to read and leave your response.
Blessings
Louise

Very thought provoking article.
I know I struggle with self control, I know there are times when I know I should be doing something constructive instead of just looking at random videos on YouTube.
Procrastination is such a problem, but thanks to this post the next time I catch myself, I will think that my business is going to take longer to produce the results I need.
So thanks for that much needed kick in the pants.
Best wishes

Gaz

Hi Gaz
Your last sentence made me laugh - thank you :-)
Yeah, we are all human, but that also comes with the intelligence that Morgan Freeman speaks about - the intelligence that you are using to reason with yourself - well done!
Blessings
Louise

I suffer from severe chronic anxiety and getting out of bed and not just curling up into a tight ball is always a problem. Of course, having a dog that has to pee every morning at 6:00 AM sharp gets me up and going but not feeling particularly better. Then I dive into WA and start concentrating on things that I need for my blog. This helps immensely with getting my mind off of other things and puts me in a better frame of mind. I may not be able to do the number of blogs that other do but I don't judge myself that way and it keeps me going. Great article!

Hi Darlene
Thank you for sharing. Furbabies really are out best friends in more ways than one - not wanting to clean up after there is a great motivator to get us out of bed, haha! I am pet sitting a Yorkie puppy this weekend in my home, I'll be up the minute he squeaks, lol!
I am sorry to hear about the severe chronic anxiety, that is not easy to live with. It sounds like you are really doing well and WA is the right journey for you - well done! Don't worry about the speed of others, each of us has our own road to travel. Focus more on consistency, that is what Google wants to see from you. Build up trust with consistently providing great content. You've go this! :-)
Thank you for your compliment too, much appreciated.
How is your gratitude journal going? I haven't seen you too much lately - no pressure, just a question. I am also open to any comments you may want to share with me. Just send me a PM.
Blessings
Louise x

Thank you so much, Louise! Your suggestions have actually helped me a lot. I may not say much in groups but I always follow and read what is said. I've taken your words to heart of listing 3 things to be grateful for every morning and every evening. Its just that when my anxiety is bad, I find it very difficult to communicate with others, even on boards. Don't think that I haven't been following and using what you say, though! Thanks again!

That is great to hear! Thank you for your positive feedback, makes the work all worthwhile :-)
Do you know about the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise when you're anxious? It's brilliant. Here's alinks for you, if you would like to take a look: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/behavioral-health-partners/bhp-blog/april-2018/5-4-3-2-1-coping-technique-for-anxiety.aspx

Thank you for the link!!! I have heard of it and used it and then I lost the link to it and couldn't do it any more! I've book marked it now!

WOW!!

My point exactly! Dong the good actions of working on your blog puts you in a better mood.

Keep it up! So what if you didn't achieve your target by a certain deadline. As long as you did something...and don't give up!

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