MASTERING SELF-DISCIPLINE.

The odds of anyone coming across this article and not having a clue of this term are very low.I wouldn’t want to assume ,therefore self-discipline is more of regulating yourself without needing anyone else to tell you what to do and vice versa.

With self discipline,you tend to shield yourself from unnecessary or unreasonable things.For instance,if the people you associate with have a tendency of ill mouthing others,just because they do it doesn’t automatically mean you go for it as well.As a person who is self-disciplined,you’ll avoid that at all costs because that’s not you.

On the other hand,if you’re one who is easily swayed by the crowd,then it wouldn’t be a suprise if you went ahead and joined “the gossip party “.

Moving closer to home,i’ll use students as an example,it’s very easy for us to influence each other easily be it positively or negatively.Dwelling on the negative aspect,if it’s not your norm to go for parties and either smoke or even get drunk,then majority of your friends practice that,as someone who doesn’t practice the art of self-discipline,you’ll be initiated into that habit or habits .

By now at least you have a clue of what self-discipline is.I don’t think it’s inborn therefore that’s makes it perfect mainly because everyone can borrow this “trait”.You can begin by restraining yourself from doing unnecessary things such as overspending unnecessarily if need be.If you can handle that,then slowly as you go,that means you’re capable of bigger restraints and eventually that can become a habit.

It’s funny how we are quick at making sentiments such as, so and so was influenced by that person (negatively) and then end up being on the receiving end.This actually happens because we assume it can never get to us.I’ll be real,being influenced whether positively or negatively doesn’t happen abruptly.

Usually,it’s more of small habits that accumulate on a daily basis that leads to that.Basically,i’ll tell you,let’s go out today and i promise there won’t be drugs.The next time i’ll tell you it’s never that bad i promise,you’ll just have a sniff and that’s all.Before you know it,you’re the one asking if you can tag along.

I wouldn’t want to forget this particular example.Normally,am usually vocal especially when i notice small things that aren’t right be it in friendships or relationships.What i used to do was,immediately react to them and it would put me in a lot of trouble that i would have avoided if i let the matter sink in and deal with that later.

What i did was put myself in check(mostly more of putting my emotions in check) by deciding on how else i could handle things.It’s not easy by the way,but sometimes you have to know when to react and when not to.Sometimes,some of the things we react to are not even worth our time to be honest.Restraining yourself from reacting to certain things is also a form of self-discipline.

In no way am i advocating for you to remain silent even when you’re being poked.That’s not the intent.Am advocating for patience at least until you’re sure that anything you say will not be out of anger but more of something you’d have said when calm and a well thought of decision.

IS IT IMPORTANT?

Why self-discipline?It’s simple!Because each one of us needs it.As much we like to say we know ourselves better that is the famous swahili word “najijua”,sometimes it’s more of a consolation of when we are questioned for our actions.

If you’re a social media person,let’s use Instagram as an example.It’s pictorial ,right?This means it’s mostly visual and therefore what we see are pictures of people and never are they dull.Infact,it’s certain people portraying their best sides on the platform usually in luxurious sites and that alone makes you think they’re living their best lives.

As young people,looking at such pictures on our feeds can incite us into wanting exactly that and even more.What happens next?You’ll find people doing odd things just to live large.I would say,even while at social media,we really do need to excercise self-discipline.Actually,we need it the most while on these platforms.

HOW TO ACHIEVE SELF-DISCIPLINE.

For one to achieve self-discipline,there should be at least a plan that is for it to work out.Not in all instances,but it’s always good to have some sort of a routine to follow.

• Begin small.

It’s common for us human beings to want instant results and therefore try to begin up there only to give up half way.Instead,it should be baby steps until we’re solid enough to go for bigger things.

• Embrace little achievements.

Whenever you accomplish something however small,give yourself a pat on the back.It may seem useless but it does a lot.

• Be your own cheerleader

Don’t expect other people to notice how you’re improving and wait for their compliments.They might never notice or even after noticing,they may choose not to tell you.That will only make you loose the morale to carry on.

• Make a checklist

What this usually does,it helps you keep track of all the things you want to achieve as well as those you’ve already achieved.It’s more orderly and it shows you whether you’re making any progress at all.

• Be patient

I understand that you want instant results, but that is usually never the case.There has to be a lot of hard work and consistency and that can’t all happen in a day.Therefore,you need to exercise patience.If you rush things,you might not get the desired results.

• Don’t just quit

Just because you gave in while you were supposed to restrain yourself doesn’t mean you call it quits.It shouldn’t be the case.All you have to do is aim to try it some other time until you finally get it.

• Break your bad habits

A perfect way to break your bad habits is by substituting them with good ones.Instead of overspending,you may opt to invest in something that will in return earn you money.That’s actually a positive way of exercising self-discipline.It’s more of a win win situation.

To sum it all,self-discipline is the key to unlocking your full potential.