learn self-discipline

stick with something and see it through til the end.
When I was in college, I had lots of determination and the discipline to finish what I start. Now, almost 20 years later, I am well, apathetic. I want to do things like lose weight, learn another language, learn a martial art but I can never stick to it.

I can’t think of one aspect of my life where I can say I’m totally in control. How do I start? Maybe I need to pick one small thing and take it from there – thing is, I can’t seem to pick that one thing!

First day: failed. But there’s always tomorrow and hope.

Get up at 9:00, work for 2 hours non stop, 1 hour brake and another 2 hours of hard work. It better happen…

Reading ‘Self Discipline in Ten Days’, I have learned about the Five Poisons which Hyde (the part of you who doesn’t want self discipline) uses to trick you into giving up on the program:

1. Cynicism
2. Negativism
3. Defeatism
4. Escapism
5. Delayism

These are all forms of negative self-talk which manifest as barriers to personal progress. Conscious awareness of their forms negates their effects, especially when backed up by postive-action-oriented self-talk.

The ‘Five Antidotes’ to the ‘Five Poisons’ are simply:

1. The Antidote to Cynicism is:

“Accomplishment-oriented, present-tense, concrete self-talk is your first line of defense against HYDE’s efforts to keep you tied to your old ways.”

2. The Antidote to Negativism is:

“A positive attitude…your overall attitude about life is what steers and fuels your action…”

3. The Antidote to Defeatism is:

“Believe in your ability to profit from knowledge…believe that the ideas will work for you…”

4. The Antidote to Escapism is:

“Consciously acknowledge that escapist choices are HYDE’s tactics used to sway you from your path to self discipline.”

5. The Antidote to Delayism is:

“Recognise whether a given delay is working for you or against you…This question must be constantly addressed if HYDE’s tactic of delayism is to be neutralised.

A point that is stressed several times is that “a part of you does not want self discipline (HYDE)”, and, that the part of you labled HYDE should NOT be fought against, but recruited as an ally to work with you co-operatively.

Next part is about Positive Action-Oriented Self Talk – I’m Looking forward to it!

Self-Discipline is such an obscure thing to learn. Sure, there are many ways of tackling it, but I think the motivation to practice self-discipline is the most important thing to grasp before begining the process.

Over the years I’ve tried lots of different methods, and I eventually came to realise that the underlying principle of self-discipline is Will Power, or more accurately, the Will of Man to decide to do something with full attention on the thing to be done, and then to do it. This ties in with Mindfulness and Concentration.

I discovered an e-book called ‘Self-Discipline in Ten Days’. I have committed to undertake this course, although I estimate it will take about three months to complete it thoroughly and satisfactorily.

I skim-read the whole book and it certainly looks very comprehensive and easy to understand – this is so much easier than constructing a course of practice from scratch. I recommend it now, although I haven’t yet completed it.

You can find it on Scribd at:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/12884633/SelfDiscipline-in-10-Days

I’ve come to realize that this is the single most important change I can make in my life. If I could just learn this…I could have EVERYTHING I’ve been wanting in my life. I could become a better friend and relative, a better Christian, stop smoking, and eat for health, not boredom.

looking to learn this self discipline ,

I was searching the web looking for a page or article or something for me to read for some tips.

I came across this: http://www.personal-development.com/chuck/selfdiscipline.htm

and didn’t even read it, I just skimmed to the part where it said “Well, it is incorrect to say you don’t have ANY. You couldn’t have read this far without some discipline”.

I can’t believe that. Now I’m wondering how in Sam hill did I get by this far? I skim through everything! I have loads of books on foreign languages I take interest in learning and other literature, now I’m looking to get more and I haven’t even looked at the ones I got since they got in the mail. This is real bad, I have absolutely no self discipline, if not just 1 percent.

And I want to enter and graduate at Georgia Tech, possibly with a B average? I gotta get real…and some help =(

So I guess the biggest issue in my life that I have is lack of commitment and self discipline. Acknowledging that is the first step, right? So can anyone help?

I am so easily distracted….but I need to study.

So I will. no more excuses. Its so easy to just do it, rather than waste my time.

This is the crux of all of the below. The reason I don’t quit smoking, lose weight, get a job, slow down on my drinking, get excercise etc is because I have no self-discipline. I seem to be blown away by the slightest wind and I know that this is where I need to start in order to make any of the other changes happen. I hope this site will help me to focus on self-discipline and learn from others that have successfully introduced self-discipline into their lives.