A deep dive Into Self discipline

• Decreases anxiety: When you are in control of how you act, you are less likely to feel anxious.
• Increases your ability to achieve your long term goals: With fewer distractions and self-imposed setbacks, having self-discipline allows you to achieve your goals. It also means getting to them faster than if you allowed yourself to get distracted.
• Makes you feel happier: When you are on the path to achieving your goals, you feel happier because you are making progress. Self-discipline is a major contributor to this.
• You become more resilient: As your self-discipline grows, your ability to resist temptation increases. This in turn makes you more resilient as you navigate different circumstances.

7 Simple ways to improve your self-discipline

Learning how to build self-discipline skills can allow you to cease bad habits, accomplish long-term and short-term goals, and change your life completely. Here, we’ve outlined seven steps to build your self-discipline and work toward the better life you deserve. Well... if you work for it.

1. Countdown, then take action

When you’re feeling particularly unmotivated, count down from ten, then force yourself to do whatever it is you're doing.  A quick countdown can help shift you into the right mental space to get motivated. Sometimes all we need is a little push to take that next step—that's how self-discipline begins.

2. Put your goals where you can see them every day

Writing a goal down makes it all the more real. Hang it up somewhere you will see it often and inspire yourself — at your work desk, in your bedroom, in your car, etc. Write the goal in your yearly planner. Put it on your kitchen calendar.

You can also set actual calendar reminders on your phone to go off once a week or so. But be nice to yourself. Don’t scare or shame yourself into your goals; rather, be happy, positive, and encouraging. Increase self-discipline by adding motivational quotes from people you admire. Not sure you have the right goals? Spend some time going over your goals to make sure they align with the things you truly want for yourself.

3. Remind yourself why you started

Keep your end-goal in mind without allowing yourself to forget where you started. Constantly remind yourself — especially when it gets hard — how and why you set this goal and what you will have achieved when you’re done.

Visualize yourself having taken complete control of your life and accomplishing whatever specific goal you’ve set. Set reminders on your phone to tell yourself how far you’ve come and how proud you are. Affirmations are also a great way to keep your self focused on your why.

4. Set small goals first

Try not to overwhelm yourself by setting the bar too high. Build your confidence by setting and achieving a small goal before you go for a big one. For example, if your ultimate goal is to run five miles without stopping, set an initial goal of running a quarter mile without stopping. Be patient with yourself and try not to get frustrated with the process. Accomplishing those small goals first can give you the motivation you need to keep going.