Self-discipline
Self-discipline can be
considered a type of selective training,
creating new habits of thought,
action, and speech toward improving yourself and
reaching goals.
Self-discipline can also be task oriented and
selective.
View self-discipline as positive effort, rather
than one of denial.
Schedule a small task for a given time of
the day;
Practice deliberate delaying.
- Schedule a particular task in the morning
and once in the evening.
- The task should not take more than 15
minutes.
- Wait for the exact scheduled time.
When the schedule time is due, start the task.
- Stick to the schedule for at least two
months.
Advantages:
Scheduling helps you focus on your priorities.
By focusing on starting tasks rather than
completing them, you can avoid
procrastination.
- Schedule a task and hold to its time;
Avoid acting on
impulse.
- Track your progress;
At the end of the
allotted time, keep a record
of accomplishment that builds over time.
Advantage: Building a
record will help you track how much time tasks
take.
- If you begin to have surplus time, fill it
with small tasks, make notes to yourself, plan
other tasks, etc.
Harness the power of routine.
- Instead of devoting a lot of hours one
day, and none the other and then a few on an
another day and so on, allocate a specific
time period each day of the week for that task.
- Hold firm.
- Don't set a goal other than time
allocation,
simply set the habit of routine.
- Apply this technique to your homework or
your projects, you will be on your way
to getting things done
Advantage: You are
working on tasks in small increments, not all
at once. You first develop a habit,
then the habit does the job for you.
Use self discipline to explore time
management
Time management can become an overwhelming task.
When you
do not have control over your own self, how
can you control time?
Begin with task-oriented self-discipline and
build from there.
Advantage: As
you control tasks, you build self-discipline.
As you build self-discipline, you build time
management.
As you build time management, you build
self-confidence.
Maintain a self-discipline log book.
- Record the start and end times of
the tasks.
- Review for feedback on your progress
Advantage: This log book can be a
valuable tool to get a better picture over
your activities in order to prioritize
activities, and realize what is important and
not important on how you spend your time.
Schedule your work day and studies.
- When you first begin your work day, or
going to work
take a few minutes and write down on a piece
of paper the tasks that you want to
accomplish for that day.
- Prioritize the list.
- Immediately
start working on the most important one.
- Try it for a few days to see if the habit
works for you.
- Habits form over time: how much time
depends on you and the habit.
Advantage: When you have a clear idea as to what
you want to achieve for the day at its
start, the chances are very high that you will
be able to proactively accomplish the tasks.
Writing or sketching out the day helps.
Discouragement:
- Do not be intimidated; do not be put off
by the challenge
- If you slip, remember this is natural
- Take a break and then refresh the
challenge
Tricks:
Associate a new habit with an old one:
If you drink coffee, make that first cup the
time to write out and prioritize your tasks.
Advantage: Association
facilitates neural connections!
Tick your progress:
On a calendar in your bathroom, on a
spreadsheet at your computer, on your
breakfast table:
Check off days you successfully follow up.
If you break the routine, start over!
Advantage: Visualizing
is a ready reinforcement of progress
Role models:
Observe the people in your life and see to
what extent self discipline and habits help
them accomplish goals.
Ask them for advice on what works, what does
not.
Contributed by
Mahanthi Bukkapaptnam, Des Moines, Iowa
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