This Week's "Change That Up" Tip...Self-Discipline

Instant gratification. It’s the path that most people choose, often without even batting an eye. But most of the time, that choice is the direct enemy of the true path to success and fulfillment: self-discipline.

Self-discipline is doing what you know you have to do whether you feel like it or not. It means being aware and in control of your appetite, emotions and inclinations to help you achieve something that may be so far down the line it’s out of sight.

It takes self-discipline to…

• Start and run a successful business

• Move to an unfamiliar place

• Stick with a task until it’s complete

• Not scroll through social media at work

• Be present with your kids

• Forgive people who trespassed against you

• Stick with your plan to eat healthy

• Stay on track with your workout routine

There’s a reason self-discipline is not the norm; it requires that you sacrifice. Most of the time, you have to pass on instant gratification to instead do what you need to do -- even when you don’t want to. It’s non-negotiable.

When you’re self-disciplined, you stop making excuses. You don’t procrastinate. You do what you have to do because you may never have the opportunity to “get to it later”. It’s now or never.

The best, most powerful way to get and stay disciplined is to develop self-discipline habits. A good example of building powerful, impactful habits is the practice of a morning routine or ritual.

As Jim Kwik says, “If you can win your morning, you can win your day. Creatine routines in the morning and evening helps me insulate myself from decision fatigue, the concept that you can only create a finite number of good decisions each day. Setting up habits early in the day creates positive momentum and a vision and direction for my day.”

Many of us may even believe -- often because of what’s been said to us and the subsequent stories we’ve told ourselves -- that we don’t have enough self-control (or willpower, whatever you want to call it). But that’s not true. We can train and strengthen our self-control and self-discipline. And here are just a few ways to do that, according to Kwik:

• Fix your routines

• Don’t follow good milestones with bad rewards

• Practice mindfulness

• Break down your goals

• Don’t say “I won’t,” say “I will”

• Don’t hide your true self

• Avoid decision fatigue

Self-discipline isn’t easy, and it takes practice. In fact, it is a practice. Don’t beat yourself up when you falter. Forgive yourself for lapses, learn your lessons and take the next step in the right direction.