SELF–DISCIPLINE

SELF–DISCIPLINE – Controlling your actions and reactions

I have discovered that most times, people’s ability to do what they ought to do when it has to be done regardless of how they feel is what separates successful individuals from others.

To succeed in life, we must curb our natural instincts from time to time and discipline ourselves to do the right things. If not, we become impulsive rather than logical and strategic. 

So what is SELF-DISCIPLINE really?

It is simply the inner strength to control yourself; your actions and reactions. It is the self-driven ability to do what you ought to do when you ought to do it regardless of how you really feel about it. In other words, self-discipline helps you to get things done! I tell people regularly that self-discipline is the antidote to the greatest thief of time, which is procrastination! Anyone who really wants to make something of this life must be self-disciplined. 

The Christian Bible says this in Proverbs 25:28 (NLT): “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”  This is so instructive. In ancient times, some kingdoms had fortified walls around their lands and a huge gate which served as the single entry point. For invaders to overrun the cities, they either had to breach the gates or scale the walls. Both options were usually difficult to achieve. 

A person who lacks self-discipline or self-control is vulnerable to anything and everything. Worse still, he/she cannot live a fully productive life. 

I am sure you want to be more productive, here are three (3) things you need to do to develop self-discipline:

1. You must have a routine you stick to. Whether they be daily, weekly or yearly sequence of actions, you must develop a routine for yourself. This allows you to know what is critical and what is not. Expending your valuable energy and resources on pointless ventures is a drain; mentally, physically and economically. Trust me, you don't want to be caught in that trap! 
2. Taking it a step further, you must regularly ensure that you maintain that routine. Do not say, “I don’t feel like doing it.” This is not about feelings. It is more serious than that, your success in life may depend on it. The world is filled with tales of inspirational men and women who had to ignore their feelings and convenience to do what was necessary in order to attain the heights, achievements and celebrated status they are known for today. Shouldn’t we learn from them?
3. You also have to regularly evaluate those routines. This is as important as the first two points. Ask yourself often, “Are my routines making things better for me?”  “How much value are they adding to my life?” “Can I get better results if I modified my routines?” These questions set you on a continuous path of improvement.

I'm sure you know that no athlete excels at the Olympics without self-discipline. You may say, "I am not a sports person", but you are an athlete in the game of life! So, you should be deliberate about what you do and how you spend your time or what you fill it with. Most successful people take time to plan their day and wake up early to work their plans. They discipline themselves to read books, watch the news or documentaries for inspiration. These routines – amongst many others – define and keep them on the cutting edge. If your routine is not bringing out the best version of you, today is a good day to make some changes and rouse that giant in you to its greatness. 

When you are able to effectively manage your passions, time and resources, you are already firmly on the right path to self-fulfillment and success. By sacrificing your comfort today, for a more gratifying tomorrow,  you are one step closer to creating the future of your dreams. 

Always remember, you have only one life to live; please, make it count!