4 Myths of Self-Discipline

When we hear the word “discipline,”; the first thing we remember is getting punished for our actions and behavior. it was all under a good cause that we call “discipline.” Even the Oxford dictionary explains the term discipline as:

The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.

However, does this definition really give it any justice? What does it mean to be disciplined if not punished? And what could be the negative connotation associated with discipline that creates blockages for reaching our goals?

Like the definition, being disciplined and particularly self-discipline, can help you reach your goals. However, we believe that many myths make discipline seem scary or unattainable.

Myth #1: Discipline is hard stuff.

Discipline can seem complicated, especially when you want to push yourself to do something that your body or mind tells you otherwise. With the rise of the “attention economy,” things are getting x2 harder.

If we simplify it to ourselves, we’ll find that the lack of vision makes discipline hard. As long as you are clear on where you’re heading in life, self-discipline will build it for you. It complements the journey. Without discipline and the internal fire in you, you will have your goals written on paper. Constantly seeking your dreams and living up to yourself can be achieved through discipline.

For example, you know that you want to be a great artist. Creating the right track of necessary experience, education, and unlimited artistic projects can land you a place in galleries and connect you to the right people in the industry. To get into the best galleries and meet the trendiest artist, you’ll require a certain level of discipline to be one of the best artists.

Myth#2: discipline is boring.

A lot of people associate discipline with routine and a boring lifestyle. What might seem boring is the repetition and continuous pattern, especially when we all like to have new experiences and enjoy life to the fullest.

But little do we know that we experience the Paradox Principle of Sacrifice, which explains that you cannot sacrifice something you don’t value. However, our mind goes straight into instant rewards, and those short-term rewards are always equipped with long-term consequences. However, you can be bound with short-term discomfort with lasting long-term good results, ideally your end goals.

Because we’re too busy with instant gratification and instant rewards, we tend to fix our mindset into what we can get now in favor of gratification that we can potentially get later, which is much more rewarding. It is all about your mindset and what you choose to focus on.

As James Clear stated in his book The Atomic Habits, people should experience the Goldilocks Rule; people will be motivated when they experience “manageable difficulty” in specific tasks or even work. As humans, we love to be challenged just enough to reach our goals, not too much or too little.

The next time you try something, start building momentum. Start doing just enough to take you out of your comfort zone but engage your mind to want to accomplish more and make it a discipline.

Myth#3: discipline is about self-denial and self-denial only.

We always fall for this trap: you see dessert. You choose not to eat it. You end up getting upset internally. So you give yourself a treat for the discomfort you just recently experienced. Truth to be told, I always fall for this trap too.

Self-discipline is not about self-denial or punishment of some sort. It is more about being intentional about how you engage your mind and body towards an end goal or a principle that guides how you live. Self-discipline uses a built-in muscle in our brain that can be weak in seeing shiny objects. Use this muscle often, and you’ll see wonders in how you transform your life.

Sometimes, this muscle should be used to do something, not only avoid something. Therefore, you need to build a system that makes you comfortable. Creating a system is a lot like building a house. You need to start with one brick at a time. Until each brick becomes a structure of the house. Same thing with habits. You need to have the discipline to take it one step at a time until it becomes an automated response in your system.

The most practical way to change who you are is to change what you do. -James Clear

Myth#4: Discipline means lack of freedom.

People believe that once you get what you want, you have the utmost freedom. However, little do they know that freedom comes with the choice of doing or not doing something.

Freedom of choice comes with choosing your goals whenever you face temptations that could potentially defer you from your vision. The ultimate freedom is consciously choosing yourself every time.

Discipline is very hard. We get it. But it can be something so powerful once you tap into your inner strength to keep going and reach your goals eventually. Out of experience, what keeps me going, is remembering what it could feel like once I reach my goals in life. Keeping this in mind can help you say in your lane and work harder with a regulated level of self-discipline. The next time you feel uninspired and unmotivated, ask yourself: “ What is my proudest moment of the year so far? “

I hope this can help you levitate your life.