Self-discipline is one of the secrets the separates winners and losers, successful people, and failures in life. Many people have different opinions about this subject. Today, I’m going to break it down into something you will always remember. So, if you are ready, let’s do it.
Discipline as Punishment (Negative)
What’s Self-Discipline? Well, before we jump into that, I would like to let you know that the word DISCIPLINE usually goes with negative feelings. Nobody wants to be disciplined, and many people don’t want to talk about it. I remember what happened to me during my primary school days. As a stubborn boy I used to be, I did something wrong in the class, and the teacher as a way of punishment asked me to run around the school premises four times.
When I finished running, it wasn’t funny. I felt bad. And when I got home that day, I told my parents about it. The first thing my mom said was: what have you done? You see, my parents know quite well that I must have done something wrong for the teacher to ask me to run around the school premises four times. And for the teacher, that’s Discipline.
Discipline for Greater Reward (Positive)
Now follow me. How do you relate this story to a fully grown man who wakes up early in the morning when others are busy sleeping and snoring? But one man is out there running around the neighbourhood. Not just four times like I did. Not four days. Not four weeks. But every day. Who gave him the punishment? Even if he’s done something wrong, why can’t they forgive him? When is he going to stop running? Now the answers to these questions bring us to the definition of the word. “Self-Discipline.”
Self- Discipline Defined
Self-discipline is self-imposed, uncomfortable actions to achieve a higher goal. So, the man who runs around the street, it’s not doing it as a punishment. There is something greater and higher than the pain and discomfort of waking up every morning and running around the neighbourhood in a harsh weather condition, most probably maintaining a healthy body.
Self-discipline controls your decisions/actions.
It takes self-discipline to choose to invest your time wisely and do something productive. While all your friends are hanging out in the nightclub. It takes self-discipline to Save your money, and I live on a low budget while your mates and colleagues are buying flashy cars and expensive things to show off to the public. It requires Self-discipline to stick to your diet plan while all your friends are eating whatever they like in your presence.
Summary
So my dear friend, if you forget everything I said today, I want you to remember: Self-imposed, uncomfortable actions to achieve a higher goal. It must be self-imposed for it to be qualified as self- Discipline. If someone is forcing you to do it, it’s no longer Self-discipline. It becomes a punishment. And no one wants to be punished.
Conclusion
Watch out for my next article and video where I’m going to explain how to develop self-discipline and why we need Self-discipline in our lives. So, if you found this article helpful, please do share it with your friends and family on Facebook, WhatsApp, and other social media out there. If you haven’t subscribed to my channel, please do subscribe so that when I put up videos and articles like this, I will notify you. Thank you very much for reading/watching. Take care. God Bless you.
JOHN HENRY is a Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner and a motivational speaker with a deep passion for helping millions of people all over the world to overcome their limits, pursue their dreams and reach their maximum potentials in life through education and self-development. As a champion speaker, he has won numerous awards in public speaking, especially in the inspirational speech contest in Toastmasters International and published books, articles, and podcasts on different subjects.
He is the founder of JOHN HENRY TV, a community with a group of talented and creative individuals on a mission to make a positive impact in the universe. Visit his portfolio page for more information.