Hey loves,

As a continuation to my last blog post on the 8 secrets athletic mindsets to be successful in fitness, I wanted to start a fit girl’s series explaining the specific skills required to be successful.

The first trait that this series will cover in detail is self-discipline.

What is self-discipline?

Cambridge dictionary defines self discipline as our ability to make ourselves do things that we know we you should do even when we do not want to.

“Discipline is choosing between what you want now, and what you want most.”- Abraham Lincoln

Another important facet of self discipline is a detachment from our feelings, we cannot rely on either positive or negative emotions for discipline.

Discipline requires pushing ourselves first and allowing our momentum to create the positive emotions (aka: motivation).

“Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.”– Elbert Hubbard

It requires turning our efforts inward and learning how to control our behavior, mind, and body.

Finally, understand that discipline isn’t a destination nor is it a character trait that some people are born with.

It’s a practice meaning that you eventually become more skilled at self discipline the more that you practice doing it.

Why is it important?

Self-discipline is important because it allows us to be consistent with our endeavors, it helps us set goals and overcome challenges. It also helps us stay focused and make better long-term decisions.

Practically, self-discipline translates into setting up good routines in whatever life area we choose and be able to hold ourselves accountable for our progress.

If you are self-disciplined at the gym, for instance, you will be honest with yourself about your progress and hold yourself accountable for your training and effort.

You can then direct your decision making towards reaching your fitness goals and can then reap the benefits of improved confidence, self esteem and inner strength resultant from your efforts.

Benefits of self discipline:

• Improves productivity

• Improves time management

• Increases focus

• Accelerates skill learning

• Helps us discover new talent

• Reduces anxiety and stress levels

• Helps us persevere

• Help us achieve our goals
• Improves our mental health
• Benefit our physical health
• Improves our relationships 
• Make us more resilient
• Help us to feel happier 
• Enhances performance
• Builds inner strength
• Makes us stronger minded
• It becomes a thing you just do
• It makes us more decisive
• It increases our ability to achieve short-term and long-term goals

How can we develop it?

According to Forbes, here are 9 steps that can help us develop the important skill of self-discipline:

STEP ONE: Know your strengths and weaknesses.

This point basically emphasizes our need for self-awareness and owning up to our weaknesses so that we can overcome them.

STEP TWO: Remove temptations.

If your goal is to eat healthier, you will have to remove the chocolates and chips at home.

STEP THREE: Set clear goals and have an execution plan.

A clear plan sustained by mantra recital to sustain focus are tools that successful people use to achieve their goals.

STEP FOUR: Practice daily diligence.

Practice self-compassion if you feel that you fall short of your daily execution. Punishment is not more effective for rectifying behavior.

STEP FIVE: Create new habits and rituals.

Check out my previous posts on creating habits and the importance of habits for help in creating new habits or rituals that serve your goal. Taking baby steps is important!

STEP SIX: Change your perception about willpower.

Successful people view willpower as infinite and can therefore achieve more and develop mental toughness.

STEP SEVEN: Give yourself a backup plan.

Give yourself a plan to deal with a potentially difficult situation, this will help with discipline and staying focused. Be bold and continue moving forward.

STEP EIGHT: Find trusted coaches or mentors. Get people to hold you accountable.

STEP NINE: Forgive yourself and move forward.

Learn from your mistakes and forgive yourself along the way, stay focused and keep going.

Areas to practice self-discipline:

• Fitness and health

• Emotional regulation

• Self care

• At work or school

• Dealing with your finances

• When it comes to your mindset

Quotes to inspire self-discipline:

“The first and best victory is to conquer self” – Plato

“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day” – Jim Rohn

“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength” – Marcus Aurelius

“For whatever goal you want to achieve, there is discomfort along that path. Self-discipline drives you through this discomfort and allows you to achieve and attain. It’s an essential component of mastery, and nothing great was ever accomplished without it.” – Peter Hollins

Videos to inspire self-discipline:

Sources:

https://www.betterup.com/blog/how-to-be-disciplined

https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/benefits-of-self-discipline

https://coachscottyrussell.com/side-hustlers-perspective/the-value-of-self-discipline-are-you-taking-advantage

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/self-discipline#google_vignette

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brentgleeson/2020/08/25/8-powerful-ways-to-cultivate-extreme-self-discipline/

https://www.mindtools.com/adjf7nz/self-discipline#:~:text=Self%2Ddiscipline%20enables%20consistent%20effort,necessary%20for%20long%2Dterm%20achievement.

https://remoteopia.com/self-discipline-quotes/

I hope that you guys enjoyed this fit girl’s guide to developing self-discipline, please let me know what you thought about it in the comments section below!