As I’m sure there’s lots of you out there the same as us with your new years resolutions, I figured probably the best topic to start this year was Self Discipline. The art of being able to transform good intentions to good actions to good results holds Self Discipline as the one main factor.

So, basically, what is self-discipline? My definition is that self-discipline is the art of ensuring that you take consistent action in line with your highest standards. So, whatever you intent to do on a regular basis in order to achieve some future goal, the process of doing these intentions regularly is self-discipline. How can we improve our own self-discipline? Well there are a few crucial steps.

1) Firstly, you must know what exactly you intend to do. This might sound common sense but it is critical that you have in mind what particular activities or behaviours you want to engage in and when specifically you want to engage in them.

2) Next, you must stop and realise that the best way to master discipline is to practise it. Now, the nice part is that you can practise it about anything, no matter how big or small. Practising anything habitually and regularly will improve your overall discipline. So, if it’s as small or simple as eating an apple a day then just make sure you do… eat an apple a day.

3) Whatever activity you have decided to do regularly, begin it at a specific time and no matter what your experience with it, decide on a particular time to do it. Set your schedule around it and make it a priority. You must hold this priority sacred. Remind yourself of why you are doing it. If it’s running then the health benefits should speak for themselves, if it is stopping smoking then again the health benefits will be obvious, if it is eating less chocolate then imagine the difference between you fat and trim. Decide on a set time and remind yourself why.

4) Now the final part is probably the hardest and yet there are very valuable secrets, which will help you deal with it. The final part involves the keeping up of the discipline. Most of us have experienced when we have begun doing something that we are tempted to fall by the wayside. There are a couple of keys to overcoming such temptations.

a) If it is something that you intend to do, begin the activity and decide that you will evaluate whether or not to finish it. For example, go out for your run and decide that you will evaluate it halfway through whether or not you want to continue. If it is something you intend stopping then put yourself in a position where you can’t for a while and feel the exact opposite and then decide. (Eg. If stopping smoking then go for a walk without cigarettes).

The reason this works is that you are putting yourself into a position where you feel like keeping the discipline. If you are already out running then you’ll feel like keeping healthy, if you are out walking you won’t feel like smoking, if you are wearing a tracksuit in front of the mirror you won’t feel like eating cakes.

b) Let yourself honestly and plainly see the projected future from your two basic steps. Realise that it’s much easier to keep up the discipline tomorrow if you do it today and that it gets progressively easier as time goes on. Also, imagine the fruits of continuing and discontinuing and ask yourself honestly is it worth it.

c) Understand that Discipline builds character and makes you a better person. Remember that successful people are successful because they do the things they like doing AND the things that they don’t (and unsuccessful don’t either) like doing because in the long run it allows them to get more of what they want.

d) Lastly, begin to hold valuable and sacred your word to yourself. We all know how frustrating it is when people say one thing and don’t follow through. Hold yourself to high internal standards and when you say you are going to do something positive, even to yourself, make sure you do it.