Self-Control: Part 3 of 3
Giving at least some cursory treatment to the crucial subject of self-control, we have previously touched on Disappointment with Discipline and The Gift of Discipline.
Today, here are ten tips for better discipline that are helping me and will hopefully be useful to you.
1. A little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing.
2. Said another way, doing a little bit of what you don’t feel like doing usually makes you feel better than if you didn’t do what you didn’t feel like doing.
3. Plan for varying levels of effort. Expect down time, off time, and not feeling like it. This is normal. Some days are 110%, others are 90%.
4. Work towards excellence, not perfection.
5. Systems take the edge off of daily discipline.
6. Finish early. Eat the frog. Complete a few small tasks early, or better yet, tackle the one thing that you dread the most in the first hour. Then, you carry a sense of accomplishment all day.
7. Team up. Accountability and encouragement increase your chances of success.
8. Get ahead of your excuses. For instance, lay out your clothes for exercise the night before. Or, prepare a healthy meal and have it ready to go.
9. Reward yourself. Just don’t let the reward undo the discipline!
10. Start small. Grow into your new habits.
You can do this! And if you fail, give yourself some grace and start again.
