learn self-discipline

I have type 2 diabetes. I am in my late 50s and I am having a real struggle disciplining myself to get exercise and to control my diet.
I am a Grandfather of 4 but for some reason I am not motivated to take care of myself even for them.

For anyone reading this that is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ I would ask that you pray for me.

Any other ideas would be very welcome

I am deleting the goals stop procrastinating, wake up when my alarm goes off, keep my room tidy, and be organized, as they all fall under this category. I suppose other things such as “eat healthier” do as well but that one needs special attention.

I’ve removed “stop procrastinating” as it’s similar to this goal with a fundamental difference: to learn self-discipline would be the end of procrastination. I’m looking to the positive rather than focusing on a character fault: that I’m currently a procrastinator. Taking steps to build stamina/resilliance of completing goals/little tasks. Doing so on a regular basis (exercising self-discipline) not only feels liberating from negative self-belief (tasks themselves are not difficult – it’s the belief I’ll go through with doing them which is the problem), but I’m getting lots of things done which I’ve been putting off for ages! My to-do list is getting shorter while I start to feel better! :)

It’s not leaps and bounds – completing one out of every three set at the moment – but I refrain from beating myself up about it. It’s baby steps and that’s ok. No-one could sustain a run after just being able to walk. Stops and starts are part of the course.

I understand the reactive part of my mind stops me from doing anything more strenuous than watching mindless TV, but this stops me from doing anything meaningful or even fun. I need to learn/exercise self-discipline in order to routinely push past that and start to achieve my goals.

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.