Self-Discipline

I have been looking for something like this for a while to share with Matt and Josh and finally got this. It was sent to me by our HR Director here at CCC and I immediately shared it with both boys. Makes perfect sense but is difficult to execute on a day-to-day basis. Hopefully this helps!!

Self discipline leads to a happier, healthier lifestyle. Considered a vital characteristic of success, self-discipline is the ability to take action regardless of your emotional state.

Self-discipline is required in order to stop smoking and to control a health problem caused by excess.

* Self-discipline allows you to stay focused on your goals. It enables you to stay in control of yourself and of your reaction to any situation. Self-discipline is like a muscle. The more you train it, the stronger you become. Lack of self-discipline can cause low self-esteem.

* According to an article in Psychological Science, self-discipline is a better predictor of academic success than IQ. Many of America’s children have trouble making choices that require them to sacrifice short-term pleasure for long-term gain. A study found that highly self-disciplined adolescents outperformed their more impulsive peers on every academic - performance variable, including report card grades, standardized achievement test scores, admission to a competitive high school, and attendance.

* Self-discipline is about making wise choices. From the food you eat to the amount of exercise you do is dependent on how disciplined you are with yourself. For example, exercise promotes a sense of control over the body that may translate to an improved sense of control over other aspects of life, a key defense against stress. Those who exercise regularly demonstrate higher levels of self-esteem and maintain a sense of self-discipline.

The five pillars of self-discipline are; Acceptance, Willpower, Hard Work, Industry, and Persistence.

* Acceptance is the most basic mistake people make. They fail to accurately perceive and accept their situation. It is important to identify an area where your discipline is weakest. Assess where you stand right now. Acknowledge and accept your starting point. Design a program for yourself to improve in this area.

* Willpower is a concentration of force. Choose your objective. Create a plan of attack and then execute the plan. Your willpower is at its lowest when you feel stressed.

* Hard work is what many people try to avoid by doing what is easiest. But a strong challenge is commonly connected with strong results.

* Industry is developing the capacity to put in the time where it’s needed.

* Persistence allows you to keep taking action even when you don’t feel motivated to do so, and therefore you keep accumulating results. Persistence will ultimately provide its own motivation.

Set goals that are realistically achievable, don’t waste time on insignificant matters, and say no to negative temptations.

* Self-discipline becomes very powerful when combined with goal-setting, passion, and planning. Write down your goals and make sure that you do everything in your power to stick to them. Always finish any task you set about doing before moving on to start another.

* Avoid spending time on things of little importance that, in the long run, have no bearing on what you value most.

* If you consider acting upon temptations, they will grow in strength and size and have more power over you. Delaying gratification becomes a habit of self-discipline.