“Self-discipline is a form of freedom. Freedom from laziness and lethargy, freedom from the expectations and demands of others, freedom from weakness and fear—and doubt.”

— H.A. Dorfman

Do you have what it takes to reach your goals and desires? As a personal trainer and strength coach I have a difficult time teaching my clients and athletes how to stay disciplined for their own health, well-being, and performance. I think that the word “discipline” has acquired a bad rap!

Wikipedia defines discipline as “systematic instruction given to a disciple, thus To Discipline, means to instruct a person to follow a particular code of conduct order.” Even Wikipedia says that “to discipline” has a negative connotation.

Earlier today, I realized that I have been trying to teach the wrong information. I’ve been trying “To Discipline” when really I should have been teaching my clients how to be self-disciplined.

Self discipline has a whole different feeling. Its almost a synonymous with self control. To be self disciplined you have to make conscious choices in order to create a specific pattern of behaviour, even though you want to be choosing something else.

Here are my 5 tips to get your very own Self-Discipline:

Wanting to lose weight is not a specific, realistic and measurable goal. Wanting to lose 8 pounds of fat, in one month is a specific, realistic goal that you can measure.

Even better, write it and stick it in multiple places. You should see it in the morning, the afternoon, and in the evening.

I’ve found that it takes most people about 30 days to form a habit, however I have also noticed that it takes people about 90 days to break bad habits. If you can commit to your goal for 30 days and stick with it, it makes breaking the bad habit much easier. Think of it as replacing your bad habit with a good one.

I’m not saying that you need get a new significant other because he or she doesn’t have the same goal. However it is said, that you are the average of your social group. Look around and take notice of the people you hang around. Tell them about your goal, tell them about how you’re going to get there, who knows, they might just jump on board too!

One of my resources for nutritional information has been Dr. John Berardi of Precision Nutrition. One of his “Habits for Successful Nutrition” is to be follow the habits 90% of the time. I’ll say that the same applies for developing self discipline. If you start your goal with a certain level of commitment and tell yourself that “whatever happens, happens, and I won’t punish myself for faultering,” you’ll be much more successful at reaching your goal.

Train, Rest, Enjoy.

JN