There is a simple key to self improvement in your life and it will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. If you resolve to embrace this key you will reap the benefits in any sphere of activity for many years to come..
Many youth today value the ability to do whatever they want,
whenever they want to, as their moods demand it. But as they grow into adults, they learn that having discipline actually gives them more freedom to do what it is that they really want to do.
People who oppose discipline can be considered slaves to their flesh and their feelings at the moment. Here, the flesh dictates what the mind will do. However, those with discipline have control over their bodies. Their minds do what is right and logical, so that the body actually can do enjoyable things more.
Self-discipline is doing what your mind tells you to do, what is right and logical, instead of what your body feels like doing. Your taste buds might be raving for more chocolate cake, plates and plates full, but your mind knows that you should eat sweets in moderation. This is discipline.
In all cases, self-discipline requires that you forgo the momentary happiness you may get from an action in order to preserve your happiness in the future. People with self-discipline will work out even though they do not feel like it because they can see the happiness down the road.
In order to develop self-discipline, you must know yourself. You must know what your goals and are and what you need to do to achieve them. In addition to knowing yourself, you must be always conscious of what you are doing. Some people snack religiously or bite their nails unconsciously. Others may do more serious things that could hinder them from their goals. Either way, a disciplined person is one who is always aware of their actions, and who controls them.
Being aware of your actions allows you to be aware of whether or not they are carrying you towards your goals or away from them.
Becoming disciplined is not a quick task. You must commit to it. Whenever you notice yourself backtracking, snap back into your disciplined mode. One day of slacking is two of trying to get back on track. The longer you commit to self-discipline, the easier it gets.
You must commit to doing what is necessary even when you do not feel like it. You will experience frustration, sweat, tears, and the longing to give up, but if you are committed, these deterrents will not succeed.
Becoming self-disciplined is not an easy task, nor it is a fast one. But in order to achieve success in any area of life, one must make the decision to take control of their body. They must resolve to have their logical mind control the body’s actions, even against its feelings, instead of the body’s feelings controlling the mind’s decisions.
