10 Dynamic Ways To Improve Self Discipline

Growing up, I was a fervent Christain, You would find me attending church conventions, preaching in the children’s section & generally being actively involved.

I don’t know whether to say “life happened” but what I know for certain is that I lost that self-discipline of being a focused Christain.

People of God, look at me now. I now have prayers on my to-do list.

Yeah! That’s the level it got me to be diligent with my prayers. I’m not ashamed to say this because I told myself, whatever I have to do to get back the flow. 

Someone once told me that it takes roughly twenty-one days to really get into the feel of a routine and get familiar with it until it begins to become a part of you. I like to say I’m a work in progress… 

So, What is Self-Discipline?

First thing you should know is that self discipline is not a skill. It’s something you build and keep building until it becomes a part of you, and even then, you do not stop. Self discipline deals largely with your ability to be in control, and reasoning even in the harshest conditions.

Self discipline involves you making difficult choices like; what you want for yourself and what you are willing to sacrifice but all for the greater good- your own greater good! 

Sounds pretty easy yeah? I bet you are asking if this is the case, why is building and maintaining self discipline difficult?

Well, we are only humans and even though we want the best for ourselves, most times, we want it on a platter of gold. However, you have to work for it, stay motivated and stay focused.

The following tips would help you to improve your self discipline. Let’s get down to it.

10 Dynamic Ways To Improve Self Discipline

Realise you need it

The first tip about improving self-discipline is to come to the realisation that you need it. I say need because there’s a huge difference between wanting and needing something, hello Maslow Theory.

Once you have made that resolution, you’re halfway through.

Also, know that You can feel motivated today and probably not tomorrow. But one thing I know about a determined person is that even on your low days, your plans unconsciously keep popping up in your mind. And sometimes that is all you need.

We all need to understand the power we hold within ourselves. It’s truly amazing when you can amass the potential you have within yourself. Want it and want it even more.

Have conversations with yourself, reassure yourself, believe in yourself. Change that perception you have of yourself. That Mount Everest exists only in your mind and you can climb it. 

Healthy Living

Personally, I feel this is one of the best ways to improve on self-discipline. It is surely one way to boost yourself in general. Pushing yourself to achieve a healthier life and food choices is one of the toughest forms of discipline and actualizing it feels out of the world.

I realize how happy I am when I tell myself to take charge and get working on my body. It truly motivates you and you believe you can do anything afterwards. Oh, how many times I’ve started and fallen but guess what, I always pick up after myself (even if it takes a few years, lol). If you can stick to an exercise routine daily or maybe three times a week, you truly don’t know what you’ve got going for yourself. Or train yourself to eat healthy foods, then you’re on another different level. Only a small percentage of people in the world can do this. it is a truly one to look out for. 

Avoid temptation 

What is your major distraction? Social media does it for me. I’m also a movie person. I avoid both like plagues when I have serious work cut out for me. You should know those things that get you distracted in the face of serious work. I’m sure you must have heard some people say “even in death, if they put money on them and they don’t wake up, that’s when you should know that they are truly dead”. Because of their insane love of money. lol

But yeah, that’s how it should be when it comes to disciplining yourself. That thing that can raise “the dead” in you (temptations) should be seriously and expertly avoided. It will constantly take you backwards. Self-discipline is solely about pushing yourself to achieve a set goal and what better way to improve on it than to avoid what makes you lose focus in a split of seconds.

However, it’s important to know that there must be a work-life balance. Remember everyone’s favourite nursery school saying- All work and no play makes jack a dull boy. Replace Jack’s name with yours whenever it looks like you are working too hard and giving yourself little to no rest or self-care.

Know your weaknesses 

So, we already talked about dealing with temptations above. But what about those “temptations” you are yet to realise you’ve got. This is also very important!

Most people don’t know what their weaknesses are and it is more dangerous because you won’t even know what to improve on.

Related: 30 Deep Questions To Get To Truly Know Yourself

I like to have conversations with myself. We grow every day and I tend to reflect how I would act in different situations. It helps me keep up with the “new me” who I keep learning about daily.

What is your weakness and how has it restricted you from building self discipline? Find that out and push it to the curb! 

Be inspired 

If you don’t have a driving force, some sort of motivation, you’ll notice your lack of self discipline. Find out what inspires you and gives you the push. It’s all about having the right mindset and with that, you are already on the move, on the right path.

A motivated and inspired person would go to great lengths to achieve what they want. Self Discipline would come easily and naturally once your eyes are set on the prize. 

For me, the thoughts of giving my kids a better life is what spurs me on. I want them to grow up in a more refined environment and have better opportunities. So whenever it seems I’m stepping out of character and being indisciplined about my life and goals, I subtly remind myself that I owe it to my kids. It might take a while to hit, but that trick always works.

Create The Right Environment 

What better way to improve your self discipline than creating the right environment you need to boost your morale? Anything it takes, I tell myself that. If at some point, my lovely home office (my bed) keeps pulling me down, I move to the toilet. P. S if you don’t have a personal relationship with your toilet like you do with your kitchen, please reconsider! Sometimes the peace & calm is all you need. Don’t try to imagine if that’s where I am, currently typing this, because your guess is correct! LOL.

All I’m trying to say is find your happy place; a place that gives you comfort and helps you work better. My big sister goes to the state library to read during her exams, I don’t even know where it is located! That’s a self discipline at its peak. All for the greater good, remember.

P.S, It’s not advisable to sit on the Water Cistern for long hours. However, if you have a big & neat toilet space, spread a rug and sit.

Routines 

Try to rekindle your love and passion for things you don’t have time for anymore. Try some new things too, but keep it simple. An hour every day is all you need. In a week’s time, you’ll be amazed at what you’ve accomplished and unconsciously start increasing your time.

Disciplining yourself is all about doing that which you should and if you try on new routines and stick to it, you’ll know there’s nothing you can’t do. Procrastination will slowly be eliminated and you’ll be happy at what you have accomplished.

There’s no greater feeling than putting your mind to something and seeing it through. If you do little things, you’ll be pushed to do greater and even more relevant things. Start that reading, writing, taking pictures, being adventurous and spontaneous. 

Breaks & Self Care

Take necessary breaks so you don’t over flog yourself. Don’t worry too much about perfection and failure. These are roadblocks you’ll meet along the road to success.

Sometimes, it can all be overwhelming and when you take needed breaks, you come back rejuvenated and happy to smash the tasks ahead of you. Breaks can come in different forms. A cheat day from your exercise and a bowl of ice cream, seeing or movie or taking yourself out for a picnic etc. When you reward yourself with such, I’m certain you’ll look forward to other breaks, and what do you need to get it? Finish up another task! 

Plan ahead and have back ups

I always think of the positive and negative aspects of situations. And no, it’s not a bad thing. It’s being ideal. It’s either something goes well or it doesn’t. So planning ahead and avoiding surprises is a sure way to help foresee how things might turn out and how you can learn from it. This would help to improve on yourself in future occurrences. The effort you put into trying to avoid such happenstance counts. That is self-improvement on a roll. 

So for example, if you know an event would cause you to miss your target & break your self discipline. Try to find a way around it, so you can achieve both.

 Be realistic 

Your mind has a major role to play in this journey called life. You can motivate and demotivate yourself in the blink of the eyes. I always like to be realistic.

I don’t like to dampen my morale that is why I set realistic goals. If I surpass it, I am happier but when I don’t? It takes me a while to pick up. You know yourself better than anyone, Whatever you set out to do should be achievable. Take your time and you’ll build up your game. You can even add to it with time but please set realistic targets. 

There you have it guys! I have to tell you this though. At every point I’m supposed to write a post, I think of all the negatives. How do I start, where do I get the inspiration, is it even possible? Then I do this thing where I see things from the end and at the end, I’m always happy I have a post for you, readers. I start to take notes, I sleep and wake up with ideas and do a little research. Voila! The post comes up and I’m entirely happy and proud of myself. 

Little steps and sacrifices are all it takes to develop and maintain your self discipline.

Don’t sabotage yourself. Put on that cloak of self discipline and see yourself do great things!