Conscious Discipline

In order to be more disciplined, you need a little self-discipline. Now that makes a lot of sense. How are you supposed to be more disciplined if you don't have any discipline? That's circular logic. Actually, it's not as hard as it sounds. Sometimes it can certainly be a struggle, but here are three ways to jump start your new practice of self-discipline.

>) Use willpower to make a new habit.

Anything you do on a day to day basis becomes a habit and a part of your life. It's the same with self-discipline. It can be challenge to form new habits when you have old habits that refuse to go away. You must make a conscious choice to be more disciplined and do so on a consistent basis. When you feel yourself slipping back into your old habits remind yourself that what you are doing is by choice and you have the power to change it. Do not let others make decisions for you. You own your actions so take responsibility for your decisions and call on your willpower to make the changes you need.

>) Remind yourself of your goals.

It is easy to give in to temptation and get off track when it comes to being disciplined. You want what you want when you want it, never mind what you might get later. Instant gratification is the theme of modern society. The pleasure you have at this moment makes thoughts of future benefits you may achieve from setting goals just go up in smoke. To keep from sabotaging your efforts to be more self-disciplined, keep one question in the forefront of your mind when temptation strikes. Is it worth it? Look at the picture you have of a slimmer you when you were younger. You can be that again. Is that candy bar worth the momentary pleasure? If it is really important to you to regain your figure, then choosing the right course becomes easier. That's not to say it will always be easy, but nothing worthwhile is.

>) Rinse and Repeat.

Self-discipline is not something you are born with, it is an ongoing process. Every time you make a decision to do the best thing for yourself, you are strengthening your self-discipline. As you repeat this process, you become conscious of how you are developing discipline and you will not fail if you make this part of your future planning. Find what works and keep repeating the process. One day you will realize that self-discipline has become a habit.

There will be times that things do not work out as planned. That's fine. There is no need to berate yourself. If you made a bad choice, just know to make a better one in the future. When you do make the right choices, brag about it a little, at least to yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back on being able to stick to your plans. The more you can do this, the less painful developing self-discipline will be.