Live Life Mantra #3
The Power of Self-Discipline
Surely, you must have heard this saying.. “ Consistency Yields Results “
In today’s world, being consistent has become a lost art, and yet, it is one of the most crucial skills to have in order to achieve success.
But here is also some food for thought on the flip side..
Are we consistently doing the right thing, which means we build on it progressively “ or “ are we not on the right path, which essentially means nothing constructive will be the outcome at the end of the day.
In other words, what is the point of being incorrect consistently… that's not an experience we would really want. Do we?
Having said that, it is by no means meant to undermine the importance of consistency in our everyday lives.
While that is a question to ponder, let’s explore the concepts of self-discipline, its importance, and the roadblocks.
Let’s understand what Self-Discipline is?
This can be defined as the ability to regulate impulses, emotions, and behaviors in pursuit of long-term goals or any desired outcomes that a person is working towards.
It means making thoughtful judgments and engaging in activities that are consistent with one’s values and priorities, especially when confronted with short-term temptations or challenges.
A good example that most of us could relate to is succumbing to the temptation of shopping for an item that is not planned or required. The impulsive decision of wanting it drives the purchase that could have been avoided. The goal here would have been to better manage your finances, with the objective of reaching a saving target that is now perhaps compromised.
The importance of consistency
Imagine being associated with a person whom you do not connect with. Let’s figure out the traits that make her / him the last one on our priority list of connects.
Trust
Regardless of relationships, promises, or commitments, consistent delivery raises the level of integrity, enhancing trust and your brand.
Leads to improvement
A consistent effort of practicing a skill or working towards a goal gradually adds value and supports growth and progress over time.
Creates habits
Habit is characterized as a pattern of consistently repeated behavior and is known to be easier to sustain when continued. This helps with productivity, time management, health and also meet wellness objectives amongst others.
Enhances accountability
Committing to being consistent in actions or responsibilities helps to hold oneself accountable for achieving desired outcomes. It becomes harder to make excuses when there is an established pattern of consistency.
Provides stability
In the VUCA world, where everything seems uncertain, consistency brings stability and predictability. It helps create a sense of order and reduces anxiety by knowing what can be expected.
Supports long-term success
Success is often achieved through sustained effort over time rather than irregular, sporadic bursts of activity. With consistency in actions and efforts towards goals, there an increased likelihood of long-term success.
Improves efficiency
With now-established consistency in daily life routines and processes, one becomes more efficient at completing tasks as the need for constant decision-making or adjustments is eliminated to a large extent.
Roadblocks to Self-Discipline
Each person has her / his journey; therefore, the roadblocks are arguably contextual. But here are a few that would mostly resonate with all
Not enough drive
When there isn’t a clear goal or strong reason to follow the road of self-discipline, it can be hard to stay motivated and committed.
Putting things off
Putting off jobs and activities that need discipline slows down progress and makes it hard to learn how to be disciplined.
Not being held responsible
Without being responsible for your actions and goals, it’s a lot easier to give in to temptation or make reasons for not being self-disciplined.
Negative thoughts or self-talk
Trying to develop self-discipline can be hard if you have a bad attitude that is full of self-doubt and criticism. It makes a person think that they can’t be successful.
A lack of organization and planning
Without a clear plan or structure, it’s harder to figure out how to prioritize chores and manage time well, which obviously makes it harder to be self-disciplined on a regular basis.
In the end,
As you should already know by now, consistency is one of the critical ingredients of success.
This is a result of being disciplined and keeping the mind on the path set out with the end goal in mind.
If we work hard and don’t give up; we can be consistent in our lives and do anything we set our minds to
Yes, it takes time to grow these traits. Nothing comes easy. It takes hard work, commitment, and a lot of patience, but in the end, I am sure you would agree the results are just worth it. Sweet as honey !!
In the next post, we shall discuss how to overcome these roadblocks….
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