Episode 81: The Power of Self-Discipline
Brief summary of show:
Does discipline lead to success? How can you live a more disciplined life without sacrificing the things you love?
In this episode, I’m sharing the power of self-discipline for a more fulfilling life.
Yes, self discipline takes intention, action and commitment, but it doesn’t have to be a negative thing.
Listen in as we talk about:
[1:30] Why self discipline is the most powerful attribute you can practice
[2:35] How I’ve practiced self discipline over the years
[5:10] Why self discipline is a continuous practice
[6:25] Flipping the script on what self discipline means
[7:05] Procrastination and perfectionism
Notes from Natalie:
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View Transcript for this Episode
[00:00:00] Natalie: Does discipline lead to success? And how can you lead a more self-disciplined life
[00:00:08] Natalie: I haven't considered myself a super duper disciplined person, but I will say that when I go through the stages where I am more routine and disciplined, I am so much happier. Hi everyone, It's Natalie. I'm so glad that you're here for the podcast this week. I wanna talk about the power of self-discipline today and how that can lead to motivation. I try to rotate if you're new here between topics on family, relationships, parenting, and health, and then positive mindset and motivation.
[00:00:40] I am always so happy to have your feedback and your ideas. You'll find my email in the show notes. So please reach out and let me know what you think of the show. Leave me a review and please subscribe because when you share and you listen, you're helping someone else lead a more fruitful life.
[00:00:57] And for that I thank you and I hope that they thank you as well. So let's talk about self discipline today.
[00:01:04] The single most important attribute to becoming successful is, Discipline. Do you believe that as well? You know, it really helps you stay focused on reaching your goals. It gives you the gumption to stick with difficult tasks.
[00:01:20] It allows you to overcome obstacles and discomfort as you push yourself to new heights. Scott Peck said in his book, The Road Less Traveled, That without Discipl. We can solve nothing. Discipline. People are careful about the thoughts that they allow to come into their head. And I talk about this a lot after doing the news for so many years, that those negative thoughts, all of the anxiety that comes with that, that occupies our mind.
[00:01:50] If you allow that into your mind on a daily basis. That's not self-discipline. Self discipline people make the conscious choice to think in terms of success and to follow those routines.
[00:02:06] One of my first realizations of self discipline in my life was that in my job of 28 years as a TV journalist, the news programs I worked for, they were scheduled regardless of how I felt.
[00:02:18] I had to be up at two 30 in the morning into the studio by 3 45 in the morning for a show that started at four 30 when most of the world and many of the people in, um, my city were still sleeping. My deadline was daily. I ate the same thing every day for the most part. I went to sleep at the same time every day.
[00:02:39] The schedule and the job required an extraordinary amount of self discipline. You know, Plato once said the first and the best. Is to conquer self. Another example in my own life, and I'm sure you have some of your own of self discipline, was in my college days, and this may have been the first real realization for me of the power of being disciplined, I found when I was busier, I did better.
[00:03:06] So I took these classes, uh, in college that were three week courses all day long for three full weeks. It required so much discipline to stay focused, but I actually ended up loving it because I felt accomplished and I could just focus for those three weeks and those summer classes were some of the best learning that I ever had as a journalist. The same goes for health goals when I'm discipl. I don't know about you, but I'm happier. Do you see where I'm going with all of this? And do you find that when you have that discipline or those routines that you do better? Or do you struggle with this? Let me just point something out.
[00:03:46] Self-discipline. It is a practice. It's a habit. After so many years in the early morning news business, I actually look forward to the day that I could not be so disciplined that I could sleep in and eat what I wanted and stay up late because I. Such a scheduled life for so long. People ask me all the time if I miss that job, and the answer is no.
[00:04:09] I don't miss the negativity of the business. But what I do miss is that routine, because it wasn't me staying regulated. It was a job that required me to stay regulated. So now I've had to find. Same form of discipline in my podcasting life, in my mom life, but I have found it once again, after taking a sabbatical for a few months and sleeping, I actually got tired of not having that routine.
[00:04:37] I wanted it. I craved it back.
[00:04:39] So I teach a high school media class. I've talked about that on the podcast before, and I had a student recently that said to me that I'm just not a disciplined person. And I came home with that at night and I thought about it, and I suppose if you tell yourself you're not disciplined, you won't be. But that's like saying, I'm not a healthy person.
[00:04:59] It is a choice. It's a habit, it's a practice. It's not really a trait you were born with. If you struggle with this, let me encourage you, start small. Tell yourself that you're gonna get up every day for a five minute walk before showering, or maybe before breakfast next week. Add in a five minute walk after dinner.
[00:05:18] Make the promise to yourself that you will do whatever your goals are and you will accomplish it. Stick to it. You know, the the old rule is if you could do it for 21 days, it becomes a habit, and then you will see the power of that self discipl.
[00:05:33] In addition, I encourage you, take away the temptation. Famous poet and playwright, Oscar Wild said, I can resist anything except temptation. Why set yourself up for failure? By leaving things in your path that make it hard to stay disciplined? Remove those temptations that cause you.
[00:05:55] I posted a quote on Instagram the other day that said there's something about the word discipline that's negative to many of us, so let's flip that script. Let's talk and think about adding good things instead of taking away something that you might find comforting or easy, for instance. Add fruit.
[00:06:13] Instead of thinking about taking away the candy or the donut, add that five minute mind break for yourself. Add that walk instead of forcing yourself to get on the treadmill, add a devotion or a chapter of a great book, instead of taking away a television program, shift that mindset to make discipline a good thing instead of.
[00:06:37] Okay. I have a question for you. Are you a procrastinator? You know, I think sometimes I am a procrastinator and somewhat of a perfectionist too, So call me a perfectionist that likes to procrastinate. By keeping a routine, I found my tendency to put things off until I can do it in a perfect way is less of an issue.
[00:06:57] There will never be that perfect time to work on a project or make that hard phone call, or write that letter that you wanna write to someone. But setting a. Sticking to it, that's gonna help you stop procrastinating. And if you struggle with any type of self-esteem issues or confidence issues, forming habits that lead to your overall success, that's gonna help you in ways you never imagined having a goal achieving those goals.
[00:07:26] Oh, yes, That certainly will lead to you being more c. I hope that all of this helps you get motivated to find your routine, to set some goals, and yes, to be disciplined in a positive way, right? Not negative. I know I can hear many people saying, but I don't have the energy. I totally feel you on this. It does require energy, which means you have to take care of yourself.
[00:07:52] You have to eat. You have to get sleep, and you have to be regular about meeting with friends and socializing. It's such an important part of your overall health. Also, allow yourself to enjoy some downtime. That time will be even sweeter when you've worked hard to achieve your goals. Thanks for listening today.
[00:08:13] I would so love to hear from you about ways that you stay disciplined and how you're reaching your goals and forming habits that lead to a happier, healthier. You can reach me on my website, www.natalietysdal.com