"Anyone who has ever made anything of importance was disciplined," said Andrew Hendrixson, a contemporary American artist. You will probably say you have already heard a lot of odes to self-discipline, but have you heard one from an artist? Even creative people need to exercise self-control if they want to achieve great heights. It is only too easy to confuse procrastination with waiting for inspiration.
Pablo Picasso famously said, "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." And as for procrastination, we do not need to remind you how dangerous it is. Researchers Dianne M. Tice and Roy F. Baumeister define procrastination as "a self-defeating behavior pattern marked by short-term benefits and long-term costs." Among these costs, you will find the poor quality of your work, compromised academic reputation, increased stress levels, jeopardized social life, and low self-esteem. So, stop excusing yourself by saying that you are just waiting for the muse to come flying by.
"If success and happiness is your ultimate destination, then self-discipline is the way," said Clyde Lee Dennis, a motivational speaker and life coach. We bet you have not associated exerting yourself and denying yourself your favorite guilty pleasures with happiness. Surprisingly, self-discipline will not only help you achieve your goals but also make you a happier person! A 2013 study by Wilhelm Hoffman showed that individuals with high self-control are happier and healthier because they find it easy to make rational choices and take positive decisions without feeling too stressed.
Learn Illustration - idea discovery by Lucian Dinu
Well, it is quite clear that self-discipline is essential. The question is how to build it. Many people think that some of us are born with the will-power of an Olympic champion and the self-control of a Buddhist monk. But even if self-discipline cannot be listed among your strongest sides, do not despair, because it is a learned behavior rather than an innate gift. So, even consummate procrastinators can master self-discipline if they are determined to succeed and practice diligently.
If you are a creative, inspired, but a little bit undisciplined person who nonetheless wants to get things done, the helpful manual below is precisely what you need. And while you are reading it, some of the most urgent tasks can be delegated to the professional writers. Do not hesitate to take the first step and read on!
Tips to Help You Become More Self-Disciplined
1. Eliminate temptations! "I can resist anything except temptation," wrote Oscar Wilde. Indeed, the pull of the forbidden fruit is powerful when it sits right before your eyes. So, make your life easier by removing temptations.
2. Do not wait for the inspiration! The best way to get things done is to start doing them right away. When the first step is taken, you will have something to be proud of. Even a tiny achievement will motivate you to keep going.
3. Treat yourself kindly! You are not a machine and cannot work 24/7 without a stop. And even machines need fuel and service breaks. So, think of a reward system that will allow you to see your self-discipline journey in a positive light. Take breaks when you feel overwhelmed. Remember Banksy's famous graffiti? "If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit."
4. Fuel your motivation! Define your goals. Visualize the desired results. Read success stories. In short, keep your eyes on the target!
5. Create a community! Your friends and family members can help you achieve your goals by supporting you and cheering for you. You can also start a challenge or find an online community that will provide a competitive environment for your self-discipline to 'grow' faster.
Tricks That Make Disciplining Yourself Easier
1. Make sure you are not hungry! Hunger prevents us from staying focused and determined, so, do not forget about regular meals and healthy snacks.
2. Exercise regularly! Regular exercise has been shown to enhance our ability to exert will-power in other areas of our daily life.
3. Get enough sleep! Lack of sleep reduces your ability to focus on the task at hand, while feeling well-rested can make resisting temptations much easier.
4. Enjoy the hard work! Try to look at the bright side of your self-discipline quest and see the positive aspects of doing your best. Find the meaning behind the simple set of actions.
5. Start journaling! Keep track of your progress, write down some encouraging quotes, and put together a gratitude list. Once you feel good about yourself, the next step you need to take will seem so much easier.
And do not forget what Aristotle said: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." So, whatever happens, do not get discouraged and keep going!
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