The Uphill battle of discipline

How to build discipline.

Discipline and I have a long, turbulent history, and I'm sure many of you can relate. Just a few months ago, I was running four times a week, averaging about six miles each run. I was working full time, putting in 36 hours a week at my nursing job, and on top of that, I was consistently working on my project. Some days, I didn't feel like getting out of bed, but like David Goggins, I told myself, "Get up!" and I did what needed to be done.

Fast forward to the present, and the most exercise I've done this week is going for a walk twice. Granted, it's something, but I'm nowhere near where I used to be. Although I'm much better than I was just one week ago when I did absolutely no exercise, it's as if I used up all my willpower.

That's why I'm writing this article – to share insights into how I regained my discipline.

1) Discipline is Willpower

I realized that discipline is all about willpower, not motivation. Doing things because you feel motivated isn't discipline. It's about doing something you absolutely don't want to do because you know you have to do it for your greater good or the people you genuinely care about.

The thing about willpower is that it can be limited, which brings us to the next point.

2) Willpower is Limited

Keeping this in mind, I realized the mistake I made. I was exerting myself too much, trying to juggle running, a full-time job, and a project simultaneously. Some people can manage this long-term, but as a beginner, it was a bad idea.

Remember this: If you have a vision of who you want to be and the life you want to live, start by doing one thing at a time. As the cliché saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day." It might seem slow, but trust me, this is the way to go.

In my quest to become the stereotypical entrepreneur who gets up at 5 a.m., takes cold showers, works until they drop, maintains a great social life, and a great body, I ended up as a tired, baggy-eyed, and sad entrepreneur. Now, I'm focusing on one thing at a time, and it's making a significant difference.

3) Willpower Aligns with Your Core Values

One major mistake people make is setting goals that mean nothing to them personally. For instance, someone might decide to lose weight not because they want it for themselves but to seek revenge or gain acceptance. That sets you up for failure.

Take the time to introspect and discover what you genuinely like and value, then start setting goals from there. Willpower becomes much easier when you're doing something that aligns with your true self.

4) Discipline is Freedom

I once heard the quote, "Discipline is freedom," and it struck a chord with me. What it truly means is that discipline provides freedom from your feelings and from the life you don't want.

I'm not suggesting you should become a robot and discard your feelings. Instead, learn to recognize when your feelings are hindering you. For instance, if you know deep down that you want something and you've made a plan to achieve it, there will come a time when you face resistance from within – when you find yourself procrastinating or rationalizing delaying your tasks. This is doing yourself a disservice. In such cases, having the willpower to push through helps you break free from the "feelings trap." Over time, this consistency will liberate you from the life you don't desire.

In conclusion, discipline is a multifaceted concept that plays a crucial role in achieving your goals. To recap: Discipline is willpower; willpower is limited; willpower should align with your core values, and discipline ultimately leads to freedom. I hope these insights were helpful. Stay tuned for next week's article on resilience.

Practice Exercise:

Now, let's put what we've discussed into action. Take a moment to think about a goal or task you've been procrastinating on or struggling with due to a lack of discipline. Follow these steps to get started:

• Identify the goal or task: Clearly define what you want to achieve or complete.
• Determine how it aligns with your core values: Reflect on why this goal or task matters to you on a personal level. How does it connect with your values and aspirations?
• Break it down: Divide the goal or task into smaller, manageable steps. Start with just one step.
• Commit to doing it: Even if you don't feel motivated, commit to taking action on that one step. Remember that discipline is about doing what needs to be done, even when you don't want to.
• Record your progress: After completing the step, jot down your feelings and any resistance you faced. Recognizing and acknowledging these challenges is part of building discipline.
• Repeat: Continue this process, focusing on one step at a time, and gradually build your discipline. Over time, you'll find it easier to tackle larger goals and tasks.

Remember, discipline is a skill that can be developed and strengthened with practice. Stay consistent, and you'll see progress toward achieving your goals and better mental health.

Hamidah