Do something, but don't go through with it: many people know the problem. We'll show you how you can muster more self-discipline in the future to implement your plans!
Disciplined or not: a character trait?
One has one irrepressible willpower, goes running three times a week punctually at 6 p.m. and is in bed by 10 p.m. at the latest. The other one intends to do the same – but only runs two runs per month and (thanks to Netflix) goes to bed at 11:30 p.m. Some of us would guess that this is pretty easy Personality differences exist. You have self-discipline or you don't have it, right? Not correct!
Scientists compare our discipline with a musclethat can be trained. And some are already competitive athletes in this regard, while others are still panting. But the most important thing about this realization is: You can change your level of willpower and self-discipline – at any time! So if you've always felt angry about your own self-discipline, you don't have to settle for it anymore.
Try out the following five tricks: They strengthen your discipline muscles, which will enable you to achieve any goal that is still on your to-do list in the future!
1. Self-discipline: A daily workout is necessary
Just like bodybuilders go to the gym every day to challenge their muscles, we have to do the same if we want to strengthen our self-discipline. Every day you should therefore at least two or three tasks which you then strictly follow through – come what may!
The skill simple things such as a phone call or cleaning. But maybe there is something bigger to do, like cleaning out the closet. The complexity of the task does not matter to your self-discipline. The only important thing is that you yourself keep your resolutions. So it is better to do less and always do to-dos instead of overwhelming yourself with too many tasks. This is how your brain gets used to that your announcements have weight!
2. Plan your day
Every time we perform an action we subconsciously meet a decision. "Now go for a run" or "get the cleaning broom now": You have to be yourself in every situation for action or for leaving decide. This is exactly where willpower comes in: it should make you choose the "act" option. But unfortunately that doesn't always work, how we all know. Why is it?
Just like a muscle that tires after an intense workout, our willpower also saps at the end of the day. Especially, when we already had a lot of decisions to make. Researchers call this "Decision fatigue": The head is closed and you simply can not get yourself up anymore. Then you will decide against the running shoes and the remote control.
However, this can be avoided: In order to keep your resolutions and thereby promote your discipline, you should do so on strenuous days plan ahead. Maybe you can do a few things before you go to work or while you take your lunch break. Make it easy for your discipline on intense days and push important tasks – if possible – not at the end of the day.
3. Try the "5 Second Rule" for more self-discipline
Speaking of which on the subject Pick up and discipline are: If you struggle with your own self-discipline, you should definitely try the "5-second rule". It helps you not to postpone your to-do's and is very easy to implement.
This is how it works: After you felt an impulseto become active, you count mentally (or aloud) from 5 after 1 down. Then you get up immediately and take care of the task.
Often we are just making our way through Hesitate a line through our productivity calculations: Suddenly we can think of many good reasons not to be active now. You think back and forth more and more time goes by and discipline is waning. That you don't even start brooding come, you should quickly count from 5-4-3-2-1 and then act. In this way you avoid unproductive thoughts and develop your willpower.
4. Learn to forego instant rewards
In this day and age we are very up quick results trimmed. But that also means that we quick rewards expect. If this does not happen quickly enough, we give up our plan. This is a shame, because a lot of things simply cannot be implemented overnight.
Maybe you know this scenario Also: Those who diligently write numerous applications and have not yet received a single positive response could give up and not send anything out. Here has self-discipline fails and the impatience won. Don't let that happen!
Remind yourself that nothing is free and that you always learn something new, even if you don't currently have what you would like to have. Having discipline often also means to be able to forego an immediate reward. Everyone who wants to lose weight knows that: One healthy salad bowl does not yet reach its end goal – but it is important for the way there.
Those who often struggle with impatience will find tricks here to become more patient.
5. Self-Discipline: Make yourself a priority
Are you someone who thinks of others first and then to yourself? That honors you because consideration and Helpfulness are wonderful properties. Nevertheless, they unfortunately do not protect against being overwhelmed!
You can only develop self-discipline if you know, protect and communicate your own limits. Who constantly busy with the lives of others, after all, cannot take care of its own concerns. On No for others is sometimes a Yes for yourself – do not forget!
Need more tips? Here you can find out how you can increase your productivity and the Ivy Lee method tells you how to use your time optimally in order to achieve your goal. Timeboxing can also help you create a good to-do list for the day.
You can also find other exciting topics relating to discipline, personality and willpower in the BRIGITTE Community. Have a look!