6 Small Steps You Can Take When You Lack Discipline

One of the major problems people have is discipline or lack thereof. All of them have dreams, goals and habits they want to materialise. However, they lack the discipline to put their words into action.

And so, we procrastinate. However, Christopher Parker once said:

“Procrastination is like a credit card: it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.”

When it is time to pay the bill, we beat ourselves up for missing out on past opportunities and not acting sooner. We feel lousy because we cannot start the momentum, let alone keep it.

And that is a catalyst to more failures and disappointments because we reinforce a mentality that we do not have the necessary discipline to succeed in our ventures.

Here is what to do when you find yourself in a situation like this:

1. Forgive Yourself

“The burden of regret can weigh us down heavily on our spiritual journey. The best way to release regret is to forgive ourselves.”

— James Van Praagh

No one is perfect, and neither are you.

Realise that pummeling yourself will only worsen things. Stop for a moment to catch your breath and put it behind you.

Forgive yourself and then continue.

2. Realise That Discipline Is an Illusion

“The illusion of discipline comes when we observe ‘other people’ routinely doing things that we know ‘we’ should do but would rather not do.”
— Gower D. Talley

While we think we know what discipline is, the truth is: we do not.

Why? Not only it is a common abstract concept; it is actually non-existent. It is not a thing you can actually do.

Consider this for a minute: people often assert that the idea behind discipline is remaining outside your comfort zone. However, how do you achieve that? What are the skills necessary to pull it off?

There are no skills — it is just pressuring yourself to do something that you would never want to do, or at least, makes you uncomfortable.

That requires some form of motivation. How can you expect to solve an issue in your life when motivation is not in the equation? Without motivation, you would not fulfil your desires and follow your intentions and beliefs.

Therefore, motivation is not just something we cannot live without; it is the key to discipline — it exists and so you can work on it.

3. Pay Attention to Motivation

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
— Winston Churchill

What fuels you to pursue your goals or dreams? How will you maintain the momentum when the ride becomes almost unendurable? Possess firm motivations for doing something and jot them down.

Commit publicly by telling your loved ones and friends. When the ride gets bumpy, let the motivation be your reminder. Hone in on it. It will pull you towards the right direction — that is much easier and more effective than attempting to hone in on the push powered by discipline.

4. Make It Easy Peezy Lemon Squeezy

“Make it easy but significant.”
— Don Draper

Discipline is hard to muster because no matter the tasks or habits you are trying to do, they will present themselves as difficult obstacles. So, why not make and then keep them simple? Get rid of the barriers.

Are you struggling to work out? Make it absurdly easy by only living the sweat life for five minutes. You may now be asking, “If I am going to be exercising for five minutes, what is the point?” I hear you, and allow me to elaborate: it is about creating the habit, not achieving the perfect beach body (it does not exist) overnight. The five-minute fitness workout will have only a minuscule impact on your health, but it makes working out effortless.

Working out will no longer be a chore for you if you can do that for two months in a row; it will be something you do out of habit. Despise waking up early to go for a run? Run in the evening or on one of the treadmills in the gym at your convenience.

5. Focus on the Thrill and Excitement

“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.”
— Greg Anderson

Pushing yourself is easier said than done when you are doing something you hate.

Hence, find something about the activity that puts you in an enjoyable state. If you do not look forward to the sweat life, look for several good tunes, a workout buddy with who you can have a pleasant conversation or a soothing setting in nature that is just breathtaking, and never lose your grip on the source of enjoyment.

Doing paperwork in the office cubicle makes you sick? Look for a pleasant sanctuary where you can do the paperwork with excitement and enthusiasm. Perhaps have a nice cup of green tea or listen to your favourite tracks. And hone in on the source of the enjoyment.

6. Practice Makes Perfect

“Repetition creates the master.”
— Cesar Millan

You are bound to f*cked up at some point, regardless of how adept you are. However, it is unfortunate to observe that people frequently take this to mean they do not have the discipline.

Consequently, they bash themselves up and throw in the towel.

Well, it is just a small bump on the road. Get back on your feet, dust yourself off and resume your journey forward. Make a fresh start — return to the first step — if you have to.

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This post was previously published on medium.com.

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