DEVELOP SELF-DISCIPLINE
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| Develop Self-Discipline |
Self-discipline means
to live your life in the right way and the hard way. Every person living on this
planet is faced with temptations. Temptations provoke a person to act in a way
which is not right for him or her. However, temptation is not something which
should be avoided or to be considered as bad. Temptations are the way by which
we can check for our weaknesses. No one knows all of their weaknesses and
temptations act as a tool to check for our weak spots so that we can improve on
them. Temptations should not and cannot be avoided but the important thing is
whether we succumb to the temptation or not. Self-discipline is the way through
which we can learn to survive the temptation and continue gliding towards our
purpose.
When you discipline
yourself, you commit yourself to live with some standards and boundaries which
you will never violate whenever you feel convenient to do so. Everyone of us
have times in our life where we feel weak and overpowered by our circumstances.
At such times, we are tempted to give up on our standards. However, we need to
make sure that we do not give up in that period, because that is the time when
we are tested. Consider a person who is faced with a challenge and he
immediately opts out. How can such a person survive the hard and turbulent
times in life if he gives up so early when confronted with a little challenge?
Self-discipline creates a strong determination and belief which guides us
through the times of crisis.
Achieving
Self-Discipline is a process which is based on three principles which should be
considered at the time when we are faced with temptations:
- Consciousness of time: Whenever we feel that we are tempted,
we should remind ourselves with a thought that our time on earth is very
limited. We live in a timed body through
which we have to fulfill our purpose and if we give in to temptation, we are
stealing the time which could have been used to fulfill our purpose. The
fulfillment of our purpose and goals is completely dependent on how we manage
and use our time because your life is made up of time fragments and the places
and things where you spend your time on, becomes your life. The next time you
face a dilemma regarding the concept of self-discipline, just remind yourself
about the limited time that you have to live your life and make an impact on
the society.
- Consciousness of Consequences: Whenever we make a decision to do
something important or which can impact our life, we have a misconception that
the decisions are very important than the results. That might be true, but
according to me, the consequences or results of a decision are more important than
the decision itself. Sometimes we make decision before considering the
consequences of that decision and when the consequences are destructive, we
simply start to worry about it. Therefore, to be self-disciplined means to
consider and evaluate the results of a decision first, and then decide
something. We may make some choices which may feel good to us in the beginning without
taking into consideration their consequences and the lifelong effect that they will
have on us.
Each time you are faced
with a situation in which you have to decide between maintain self-discipline
and keeping it easy, remember that the choice you’re making today doesn’t
affect your present life alone, but your whole life is shaped by it.
- Consciousness of Righteousness: Most of our decisions in life are based on what we feel is good for us. However, the things which are good for us might not be right for us. A wise man once said, “ The enemy of right is not wrong. The enemy of right is good.” Not everything which is good for us is right for us. Consider an alcoholic guy, who drinks alcohol two times a day and completely has completely given all his conscience for that bottle. This guy thinks that alcohol is good for him, but its not right for him. You can see the difference between the two things. We should never confuse good things with the right things.
Creating an environment
of self-discipline demands to do what is right for you not what is good for you.
To be self-disciplined, we should constantly make a commitment to ourselves,
that even if what we do is right and does not make us feel good or pleasant
must be done. Self-discipline requires us to keep our feelings and emotions aside
and focus on the right things.
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| Develop Self-Discipline |
The commitment which we make to ourselves to be disciplined is tested only hard and turbulent times. Being Self-disciplined, it requires you to stick to your standards and beliefs no matter how much pressure you face from external circumstances. You might be discomforted several times while building up self-discipline but you need to keep yourself aligned with your vision to achieve your goals. Once you have become self-disciplined and survive every kind of temptation you face, this will build up your character.
Remember, building up a genuine character of self-discipline
is not an easy process. It takes time to build a good genuine character. It is
only developed when you survive the hardships of life. Mark Twain once said, “
Courage is not the absence of fear; it is acting in spite of it.” Similarly,
being self-disciplined does not mean to avoid urges and desires, but to face
them and have control over them. Keep the purpose in your mind that you were
born to fulfill and it will help you to manage your time effectively, consider
consequences and to choosing between right and good. Therefore, it allows you
to be self-disciplined and live an effective life.
What are your thoughts on SELF-DISCIPLINE and how did you
achieved it? Comment below!
