I never used to have much discipline. If I started ‘trying’ to workout, and didn’t want to go, I wouldn’t. If there was biscuits in the house, I’d eat them. If someone said to me ‘Fancy a few drinks at the weekend?’), and I’d spent all week telling myself I didn’t want to drink), I’d go without hesitation. I didn’t really value my own thoughts first. I never thought things through, I’d put myself last. For a massive variety of different reasons, I had no self-discipline.
Now I am the happiest I’ve ever been… and it’s all because of the self-discipline I have. I get to enjoy life so much more because I can now say NO to the things that are potentially tempting, but I don’t really enjoy all that much, and they hold me back. AND I know that deep down, they’re doing me no good.
I love to get up early, I love to workout, eat well, read books. I’ve a routine in place that’s really good for me and helps me grow. I love to be around nature, walk and spend time with family.
I only love this routine now because I spent enough time learning self-discipline, and going through the pain of saying NO, to be able to have a routine, because I stuck with it.
Of course you’re not going to love working out, if you haven’t stuck to it consistently for a year plus. Self-discipline has to carry you through that year, for you to come out the other side and love it, and for it to be non-negotiable that you go.
Getting up earlier than you have to. Have you ever tried this? It is amazing! But your body SCREAMS at you ‘What the hell are you doing? Get back!’ And you have to fight that so hard, and what is it that fights it? Self-discipline.
You’ve got to get past the hard, testing times, when every ounce of your self-discipline will be tested, but you can do it.
How to improve your self-discipline:
Create a plan so you avoid emotional thinking. Write out your week, times you’re going to do it…and follow the plan.
Accept failure as necessary. You will not find one successful person at ANYTHING that didn’t fail their way to success.
Repetition is the mother of skill. You have to practise your new routine over and over and over again.
Know why you’re doing what you’re doing. If you’re getting out of bed to do a workout just because you want to lose weight, it won’t last. Why do you want to lose weight? How will that change your life?
Make sure your goals are tied into your habits, and write down your goals every single day.
Control your mind. You are not your thoughts. Learn to control them, learn how to separate your irrational thoughts from the ones that serve you well. Know that you are not your thoughts. Stop listening to them. Your brain is two million years old and designed to keep you alive. It looks for danger and will try and put you off doing things. Ignore it.
Hope this helps,
Jessica X
