“It is not enough to want, you have to do.” – Goethe

Well. Let’s be honest. Talent, intelligence, education and origin – no question, all these factors influence the career and the success. If you believe in current research, however, they are far less relevant than a virtue that unfortunately sounds old-fashioned: discipline, or even better, self-discipline. Originally, the term stands for instruction and order. That’s not really motivating! I know! But even if it sounds uncomfortable- so, not to follow your passions- a little bit of it, seems to be the key to success.

If you think it doesn’t work anymore, you have only reached 40 percent of your capability. According to researchers, not your physical fitness decides if you continue, but your mental fitness. And what is meant here? Of course the self-discipline. This is not a determination of the outside, but rather a form of conscious self-regulation and self-control. Successful people usually have a large portion of self-discipline. They set themselves goals, know the way to reach them, and don’t disconcert by stones and obstacles.

Most people know what they need to do to achieve their goals. But if they don’t have the patience and cannot impose themselves, changing their habits and lifestyle, they won’t succeed.

Staying focused on a goal without immediate effect is not easy and the biggest obstacle here is ourselves and the games that our minds play

So, the key is to keep the track of your goals, regardless of how you feel. Ok! I know! This is not quite simple, but you need to put your attention on long-term goals and not on a short-term satisfaction.

Find your self- discipline

How many times we thought about something like, “You cannot make it. This is too difficult” or “I’m just not strong enough.” And abandoned it? That’s wrong!

Whether in terms of your nutrition, your fitness, and your work or in your relationships, self-discipline is the number one trait needed to accomplish goals, lead a healthy lifestyle, and ultimately, be happy– well, internal desire and motivation to bring a goal, especially, the increase the level of productivity and at the same time the level of your confidence. It’s more specifically about your ability to control your desires and impulses to stay focused on what needs to get done to successfully achieve that goal. The thing is that self-discipline isn’t something that we are born with. It is rather something that we can develop over time.

Professor Walter Mischel, based at Columbia University, New York, explained: “Your rational brain can overcome your impulsive, emotional brain. Both are involved in decision-making, but the strength of our willpower determines our actions.” According to Dr. Roy Baumeister, Professor of Psychology at Florida State University, there are three regulations, which will help to control the discipline: “setting measurable targets, making them realistic, and having the willpower to follow them through”. In few words, you have to increase your chance of success, so that you don’t get in contact with a situation that is mentally classified as a failure.

In America Survey, 2011, 27% of respondents identified lack of willpower as the biggest barrier to getting self- disciplined.

A study published in the British Journal of Psychology in 2006 showed that “just two months of regular exercise can improve concentration, focus, impulse control and self-awareness – all aspects of willpower.”

Finally, you might think that people with really strong self-control struggle through this strict existence, forcing themselves constantly to do the right thing. But that’s not true. What it seems is that people with good self-control stay out of trouble and minimize their problems.

Manage your self- discipline

To get self- discipline is a constant training. Nobody is born to be self- disciplined and have willpower. So what you do to reach your goals without interference, is to ask yourself, first of all, what you really want to reach, why and what you need to get this done. I know, it seems to be weird, but the more good reasons you are able to identify, the more fuel you will have to increase your self-discipline. Feel and keep yourself accountable for the situation, having rewards and penalties. You have to make one step at a time with accomplishments to increase your motivation levels. And then…keep going! Sometimes, it will be a difficult road and maybe you will fail, but also, in that case, change your tactic and add another ingredient to the fuel that keeps self-discipline alive.

Well, make simple agreements with yourself, and if something goes wrong, change and correct your behaviour. You live in a competitive environment, right? So, try to be better than the others, that means you don’t have to be necessarily competing against others but against your best self. Comparing your current results against past results can be an effective method that helps you stay focused.

Scientists have found that “The behaviours people cultivate and the habits they adopt, must reflect their core values.”

Maybe, you have to look after people who achieved their goal in the past. Talk with them! Actually, every person has its own kind of thinking, but be open to other views. Milestones and clear deadlines are the most important issue to reach your goal. Put a lid on yourself, to get a sense of control over the tasks, remove temptations, take breaks, forgive yourself about failure and move on.

To get self- discipline is a hard journey with ups and downs. But let’s try it! Give it a shot. Don’t be stagnant. Make a personal commitment by creating your own contract with yourself to have a better and healthier life. And don’t forget! Discipline is more important to success than intelligence.

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