Why self-discipline is important

At the time that I needed self-discipline, I struggled because having been used to indulging myself, self-discipline felt like a punishment. It felt like deprivation. 

So I’d try to inculcate new goals and wait to feel like it—to be in the mood. Well, you can guess what the result was. I was unable to achieve anything even though I wanted these things. Then I would get frustrated. Wasn’t the desire to achieve these goals enough to propel me? 

The truth is that feelings and desire can kick-start many processes, but self-discipline sustains the momentum. It wasn’t until I changed my view of self-discipline that I was able to also see changes. 

Self-discipline is not deprivation or punishment. It’s a form of self-love. It’s a form of self-mastery. And it’s not only important to achieve goals but in many other areas as well. 

• Builds inner strength 

Self-discipline has a direct correlation with mental fortitude. Setting a list of rules for yourself tests you and your determination. Sometimes, we don’t know the strength that we have until we do certain things. The more you develop self-discipline, the more you unveil your inner strength. This can even be a further motivation. 

• Helps to achieve goals (habits) 

Goals require habits. Habits involve a set system. To be more productive daily (a goal), you can decide to wake up at 5:30 am, put your phone away at 8 am, take a five-minute break after every thirty minutes, etc—habits. To inculcate these habits requires self-discipline. Relying on your emotions can only get you far. But for instance, setting an alarm that reminds you to drop your phone and doing it without allowing any thoughts can initiate a series of changes. 

• Fosters growth

This is tied to the first two above in a sense. The more you increase your mental fortitude, the more you grow. The more goals you can hit and awesome habits you can implement, the more growth you experience. Self-discipline is to growth what a good night’s sleep is to health. 

From my experience self-discipline doesn’t get any easier. Many times you have to be robotic about it. Want to sleep early? Get all your tasks done earlier, then be in bed about fourty minutes to the time. No deliberation or negotiation. Should you go to bed with your phone, it won’t work. 

It’s also a daily reminder, if not, one week you’re disciplined and hitting your goals, then the next you’re wondering what happened to the person from last week. 

Through it all, don’t forget self-compassion.