What is Self-Discipline?

Does it come naturally?  Is it something that can be developed?  How can you develop self-discipline? These are all questions that need to be answered from within.    

I think everyone’s definition of self discipline should and will differ slightly.  I also believe that self discipline does not come naturally to most people and that it is something very personal that develops inside you as a result of some life changing circumstance or event.  What kind of event or circumstance gave you greater self discipline? 

Maybe you were picked on as a child for being over-weight.  Perhaps you have a speech impediment or some other circumstance where you stand out from the crowd.  Maybe you were raised in an abusive family.  Maybe you were raised by a single parent.  Maybe you suddenly went from a struggling student in high school to a Dean’s list student in college.  Or perhaps you were a raging alcoholic in the past, but turned stone-cold sober today.  The list could go on and on, but only you understand the pain you felt.  That’s why I say that self-discipline is very personal.  The bottom line is that something caused you to be disciplined in some way in your life, only you know the reason why.  

How Can You Achieve Greater Self-Discipline?  

I believe if a person has integrity they can and will become self disciplined in some area of their life.  Someone explained to me years ago that integrity is “What you do when no one else is around”. It's funny that most people think that if they don't steal when the opportunity presents itself, then they must have integrity.  What I mean is this:  If you realize through self analysis that. for example, you have issues with staying committed to a project, than you must take steps to condition yourself to become more committed.  Do you become more regimented in your daily routine?  Do work on better time-management?  Or do you even realize that you may not have any routine?  Do you have the integrity to ask yourself these tough questions on a daily basis that help you focus on improving your commitments?  Being honest with yourself about how you really feel and how committed you are to making the changes that will impact your life, will bring you greater self discipline.  

Self discipline is very personal and very necessary for success!

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