What is Discipline?

 

 

"Motivation keeps you going, while discipline keeps you growing."

In schools, discipline is regarded as obedience to teachers, staying quiet, no talking with your friends, etc.

This is not exactly discipline, but maintaining decorum and following rules and regulations is discipline, but the rules themselves are not exactly. 

To get discipline into your life and get its wonderful results is by practicing small things day by day. Discipline leads to happiness and success because you know what you are doing, you get it done on time and efficiently and have a feeling of stability.

Punctuality is an important aspect of discipline. To learn more about punctuality, click here to read my other post on the IMPORTANCE OF PUNCTUALITY.

Along with that, you must have a thing called 'Self-Discipline'. 

How much do you like rules? I agree that game rules are fun, but what about office and school rules? I'm sure you are tired of your teachers saying, "Don't run in the corridors! Stop talking!" And your boss saying, "I expect you to submit the files by today evening!"

These rules might feel stifling sometimes, but without them, the particular organization won't be able to function properly.

Same way, you need to impose rules upon yourself to let your productivity system function properly. 

Now what's a productivity system?

Productivity is the ability to achieve long and efficient results. And you will need a system that helps you to maintain productivity. 

You need to set ruled which you must follow every day. Example:

• Wake up at 5 am.
• Exercise for an hour.
• Don't eat more than three chocolates per week.
• Eat limited junk food.
• and many more.

The most wonderful thing about this productivity system is that you get to set the rules.

What's the difference between Self-Discipline and Self-Control?

Let's take an example.

• Someone offers you a third chocolate on the same day. You say no and that you're done with your share of chocolates. You don't feel any craving, but you satisfy yourself by convincing that you don't need it.
• In the same case, you try to control yourself, but you have a really bad craving, yet you force yourself not to eat.

The first point is an example of Self-Discipline and the second is an example of Self-Control.

Self-Control is not that good because you don't feel satisfied, yet you stop yourself. But convincing yourself it's not necessary, being satisfied, and stopping yourself is Self-Discipline, and that's the coolest thing to do.

Some people say, "Learn to control yourself!" when you do things a bit out of control or if you eat like there is no tomorrow. But that advice is absolutely silly. Why not discipline yourself with grace than control yourself with force?

Implementing Self-Discipline in life is very result-yielding, and with discipline in your arsenal, you'll feel more confident to do things.

GRATITUDE LOG AND JOURNALING

It is a good habit to journal every day. It helps reflect on your mistakes and remember good memories. At least if you can't write a whole page everyday (you don't have to always start like that), you can write at least one or two lines about the most prominent things that happened on that day, and as you progress, you can write as much as you want.

Keeping a gratitude journal and writing about things that make you happy, even small things like 'I'm happy the sun rose today' is a great way to increase your dopamine levels which is really good for you. You can write about how you felt happy for helping a friend in need, which increases serotonin too. This is a great way to maintain happiness and discipline in your life.

Picture credit: Bing