Photo by roya ann miller on Unsplash
I am going to make an assumption here but can we agree on how we all hate to be forced into doing something ? Discipline and Self-discipline are two completely different things and that is my point. What we mostly struggle with is discipline when it is forced upon us. Yes, it can still work and we might even be doing a great job at staying disciplined when something is pending over our heads, but is it really sustainable ?
Think of when you were kids or even teenagers, didn’t you hate authority or having to be or do something without having had the possibility to choose before ? Then you are at the right place. Discipline can’t survive when it is not self-imposed. Don’t get me wrong, we can still be forcing things upon ourselves which means that self-discipline also has to be supervised by a calmer and wiser power: your heart, your most powerful weapon, your mind too obviously but see, the thing is, your mind and heart need to be in perfect alignment. There is your secret to self-discipline: wanting something (heart) and knowing how to do it (mind).
Knowing this, to gain self-discipline you will have to determine how much you want something even more than HOW you want to make it happen, the how won’t matter as much because everything will naturally fall in place when your heart REALLY craves something. True self-discipline can only be mastered when you put your ego in service of your heart, no the other way around. Yes, my friend, the most disciplined are also the most passionate !!!! The only thing that pushes me forward when I am dying of laziness and wanting to quit is my FIRE, passion is an unstoppable force ! It never fails me, unlike my ego.
My mind can never align to anything other than my heart, have I been called stubborn for that ? Yes. Is it my most powerful gift ? Absolutely. My fierce independence only stems from the great relationship I am building with myself, that is my secret to self-discipline: my “Self”. Listening to my heart, following what makes me happy, brings me joy and fills my heart up with pride because my “Self” softens up every time I go its way. That way, I can never be forcing anything upon myself, not a specific schedule, behavior or standard that isn’t aligned to my core wants and needs. Start following yourself, not running the other way. You are your best friend, you are the discipline you need, you are the master you need to follow. Discipline comes from within because when you are 100% aware of why you are showing up everyday to work towards something, then you can only be disciplined!!! If you want something, obviously you will want to work hard to get it.
If you are feeling lazy, remember this: something isn’t in alignment. Don’t try too hard, instead sit back and listen. Tell yourself “I am ready to go the right way this time, show me the way Higher self”. Don’t push yourself to the point of exhaustion or else life will stop you with a not so subtle “STOP” sign.
9 WAYS YOU CAN ESTABLISH POSITIVE, HEALTHY SELF DISCIPLINE:
1. Find out what brings you joy. It will shine the light on what isn’t working for you anymore.
2. Focus on completing one task/goal first. Multitasking is good but can make you spend less time on that one thing you really love.
3. Cut out distractions the best way possible: sit in silence, stillness is where the magic happens.
4. Set the following intention: “I choose to put my own happiness first. I align to my center and follow up from there.”
5. Practice self-empowerment through anything that lifts your spirit: a specific playlist of music, imagining who you can be, watching the people that inspire you the most, speaking to a mentor/coach/friend who you look up to.
6. Get enough sleep, implement one good and healthy habit in your day to balance your extremes out.
7. Do not contradict the signals your body is sending you. If you are feeling lazy, it means you need a BREAK.
8. Establish your own definition of self-discipline: Discipline is not an attack, it is a motor meant to lift you up, not break you apart.
9. Listen to guided meditations about abundance and positivity. Loving life is the best discipline you can acquire.
Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash