New Year is the time for resolutions. By the end of January most resolutions are forgotten. If this occurs a number of times, we get habituated into a resolution syndrome - a cynical way of looking at any resolution that prevents us from self-acceptance. We get stuck in the deterministic philosophy of 'we are what we are because we are what we are'. Thus most of us live in self-denial and the resultant drain on our energy as we get disconnected from our source. The other side of the coin is that we can be self-disciplined and make our resolutions come alive to stay connected with our source.
What is self-discipline?
Self-discipline refers to the code of conduct one prescribes for oneself in the microcosm to complete a given task or in the macrocosm to develop and apply a certain pattern of behavior under any circumstances. For instance, if I wish to lose 10 pounds and decide on a three month routine to follow a certain regimen of discipline, it will be a task oriented self-discipline. On the other hand, if I decide to follow the Golden Rule "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", then I will be self-disciplining myself to follow a universal pattern of behavior in my relationships.
Self-discipline is a code of conduct one prescribes for oneself and follows under any circumstances towards achieving a particular goal.
Create an Intention
Intention is defined as an intense passion for a strong purpose accompanied by determined action to produce the desired outcome. Creating an affirmation is an expression of intention. In our example, the goal is to lose ten pounds of weight in three months. To make this desire into an intention I have to become passionate about this desire. The passion is created by visualizing myself to have already achieved my goal accompanied by all the good feelings and positives that will flow out of the success. Once this is established in the consciousness the affirmation will look like this, " "I, Sanjay Behuria will weigh 130 pounds from my current 140 pounds on 12th April 2009, to enable me to lead a rich and healthy life and to look slim and sexy."
Connect the Elements
To have self-discipline is to first make a connection -a connection between the various elements that lead to the final outcome. For weight loss - making a connection means connecting the elements of diet, nutrition, exercise, instant gratification, desire, the pain of being disciplined and the pleasure of achieving the outcome. Once the connection is made between the various elements, then we can make a decision about what elements are helping us and what elements are obstructing us in our self-discipline to maintain a certain body weight. The list so created will need to be prioritized and tasks ascribed to each of the elements that need to be worked on. The elements need to be in balance at all times for us to achieve our purpose.
Create a Plan
A plan consists of incremental daily action that will lead us to the eventual outcome. The first part of the plan is that we have to start where we are. To lose the desired weight, exercise is an element that we have to work on. However, our exercise regimen will depend on our current physical state. If we have never exercised and we start the exercise plan with a intensive one hour a day at the gym then chances are that our physical system will break down in a short time. To give our self a plan, we need to assess our current physical state, define our required physical state in three months and devise a plan for incremental progressive conditioning of our body to the desired state. A plan must contain something to do everyday that will be incremental over and above the previous day.
Everyone's plan is unique to themselves. While it is not difficult to create a plan for oneself, it is very important that the right plan is drawn up for full commitment. When a plan is contra indicative or difficult to follow, it leads to giving up the plan altogether. therefore it becomes necessary to sometimes modify the plan to what is possible and then gradually tune it to orient towards the achievement of the ultimate purpose. many times our ego or ignorance comes in the way of modification. It then becomes necessary to have a coach, mentor, facilitator, trainer or teacher for our true development depending on what we are pursuing.
Create a Practice
Practice without attachment to the goals. Goals are temporary and therefore any attachment to the goals leads to a sense of finiteness once the goal has been achieved. Once the affirmation is done, it is a given that the goal will be achieved and therefore there is no reason to be attached to the goal. This detached practice leads to self-discipline being inculcated as a personality trait which can be replicated to the pursuance of other goals. As beings seeking pleasure and avoidance of pain we are consciously and unconsciously pursuing goals all the time. Therefore there is no beginning or end to practice. Practice is the most important part of self-discipline.
Practice needs the qualities of continuous and sustained dedication, devotion, zeal and concentrated enthusiasm. Once these qualities are developed while doing the practice then practice itself will becomes self-sustaining, steady and stable. As they get strengthened and become a habit, what is practiced becomes a natural way of life for the practitioner. The actions and movement towards the purpose become effortless and self-perpetuating, supporting itself in itself.
Once practice becomes a habit after a sustained period of time, provided one gives one's fullest attention with passion and continuous dedication and attention, then the outcome will spontaneously manifest from the inside as a natural result. There will be no need for the daily struggle of depending on will power, motivation and other emotional crutches. A biofeedback loop - much like an addiction - is then formed where we move and perform naturally and effortlessly towards our goals.
Celebrate
Celebration is an act of rejoicing and appreciating. It leads to internalization of the experience. Those who forget to celebrate often term the experience as painful and find that they have to push themselves harder and harder towards achievement of their goals. Without joy, excitement and pleasurable experiences only the memories of the hard work and pain remains - what we often call 'lack of motivation' or 'burn out'.
Celebration may be a meaningful act or anything that brings joy. It may also be done by sharing the good feelings with friends, colleagues and near and dear ones. Journalling the accomplishments and writing appreciation letters to one self is a way that many reflective persons record their achievements so that they can conjure up the good feelings by looking at these recorded journals at any time.
A Daily plan for self-discipline:
Wake up time
Wake up activity
Physical exercise, Breathing exercise and Meditation
Reflection, Appreciation and Affirmation
Create an Intention of the day
Daily activity includes at least one activity towards goal and purpose
Family time and time for loved ones
Reading
Playtime
Journal your day
Attitude of Gratitude
Practicing a schedule like above on a daily basis leads to self-discipline that connects us to our source and leads to all round happiness for us and people around us. To experience it, you got to try it. Best of luck!!
Sanjay Behuria
"Achieve Your Unlimited Potential"
Life and Executive Coach
Wright Brothers
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