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Clients (and friends and family) have often said to me:
“I’m not a very disciplined person” or,
“I just don’t have the discipline” or,
“I wish I was more disciplined”
They say it as if discipline is something they have or don’t have.
Like they got jelly tots instead of discipline in their DNA lucky packet.
And while there is research that shows that some level of discipline is hereditary, ALL of us possess the ability to build more discipline.
So I’d like to suggest that you think of discipline as a practice and not an identity.
As a habit and not a fixed trait.
Anyone can build more discipline through practise.
Here are some ways you can practice and build more discipline:
1) Acknowledging and believing that you can be more disciplined through practise
Just the belief that this is possible will help you to be more disciplined.
2) Change your language
Instead of “I just don’t have the discipline to do this” rather say “I am practising being more disciplined in this area”.
3) Do what you’ve set yourself to do even when you don’t feel like it
Practise doing tasks on your plan especially when you don’t “feel” like it. Just do it for 5 minutes if it feels too much.
4) Acknowledge your problems
Sometimes when we are dealing with tough issues (e.g. money; health; relationship challenges) we tend to avoid them. Instead, create space to think about them, come up with a plan and take action.
5) Practise being hungry
This is a great practise that will help with discipline in other areas of your life too. Whenever you feel hungry allow yourself to just feel what it’s like to be hungry for another 30mins. Notice how it feels and how even though it feels uncomfortable, it’s actually ok.
6) Reframe habits or activities
Reframe those activities you don’t enjoy doing but want to do (e.g. waking up early) – decide why it’s good for you to do it, and write down a list of all of the benefits.
7) Reward yourself for being disciplined
Be sure to give yourself a reward every time you accomplish a disciplined action. This positive reinforcement will tell your brain that while discipline is sometimes hard, it always results in some form of positive outcome or feeling.
TAKE ACTION:
- Use the steps above to practise building your discipline.
- COACHING: If you would like more 1-to-1 support on how you can be more disciplined in a certain area or for a certain goal, then book a free consultation with me here.
