Discipline or Regret? Choose your pain ⚡️
"You may delay, but time will not.": Big ideas from Discipline is destiny by Ryan Holiday
"We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret." - Jim Rohn
If your standards are so high that you give up when you fall short of them, then actually you don’t have high standards. What you have are excuses. - Ryan Holiday
What’s self-discipline?
Is it about restraints? restrictions? About not eating that junk food?
No.
Self-discipline is not about restriction.
It's about taking control of your life.
By mastering your lower self and strengthening your higher self, you become empowered and unstoppable in achieving your goals and dreams.
Big ideas from the book Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday. This is a nice short read and I’d really recommend for anyone who isn’t super-proud of their present state.
Why bother about self-discipline? Well, benefits include
Practicing good habits
Enduring challenges
Setting boundaries
Resisting temptations
Self-discipline provides structure and balance, counteracting the chaos of unrestricted freedom. It's essential to unlocking your true potential and living a fulfilling, happy life.
"Most powerful is he who has himself in his power." - Seneca
First: take control of your body
..before it takes control of you
Being self-disciplined about your body means boosting your endurance and investing in yourself for the long term to live longer and better.
"What lies in our power to do, lies in our power not to do." - Aristotle
Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.
Strenuous Activities: Include physically demanding tasks in your daily schedule.
Seek Discomfort: Welcome discomfort to develop resilience and strength.
Consistency: Commit to showing up every day, regardless of your mood, to build momentum and attain long-term success.
Build on your physical self-discipline to temper the mind
Once your body is under control, it's time to work on moderating your mind. This involves balancing how you feel, think, and respond amid life's chaos.
Patience and Response: Use the moment between stimulus and response to gather and think critically.
Focus and Flow: Train yourself to focus and enter a flow state, blocking out distractions.
Embrace Imperfection: Aim to do your best rather than strive for perfection, and learn from your mistakes.
"We can't remain as we are." - Socrates
The Importance of Consistency
Consistency is key to mastering self-discipline. Regular, sustained efforts yield better results than sporadic bursts of energy. Stay committed to your routines and goals.
"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." - Robert Collier
Managing Temptations
True self-control means moderation not just in what we do, but how we think, how we feel, how we comport ourselves in a world of chaos and confusion
Temptations are inevitable, but they can be managed. Identify your triggers and create strategies to avoid or minimize them. Strengthen your willpower by practicing restraint regularly.
"What lies in our power to do, lies in our power not to do." - Aristotle
Developing a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset fosters self-discipline by encouraging continuous learning and improvement. Embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities to grow.
"The mind is everything. What you think you become." - Buddha
The Influence of Environment
Your environment significantly impacts your self-discipline. Surround yourself with supportive people and remove distractions. Create a space conducive to focus and productivity.
"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." - Jim Rohn