The Magic Of Self Discipline - Part III

As I ponder the concept of self discipline I realize how much it effects every area of my life. If I do the things I promise myself to do then I exhibit great self discipline. Then the chance of achieving my goals are greatly enhanced. If I don’t then of course the chances are slim to none that I will ever come close to getting the life I want. So it makes sense that I would stay the course and continue to be focused on my tasks and do what I have to.

In that case why don’t I always follow through. Well for one thing instant gratification is very seductive. Why wait for results which might take weeks, months, or maybe years to see when you can enjoy what you want right now. For example losing weight takes a while but eating a cookie gives you pleasure in the moment. If you knew that not eating the cookie you would lose the weight by tomorrow you wouldn’t eat the cookie. However you know that you have to not eat many cookies and it will probably take months for you to arrive at your goal weight. That is the challenge. Being able to delay immediate gratification with the knowledge that if you do ultimately you will arrive at your goal. Another example is saving for your retirement. Wouldn’t it be more fun to go out to a show and dinner than to put money into your retirement fund. Than again you still want to have some fun now.

So maybe the answer is not to totally delay your enjoyment but to find it now by planning for yourself some of what you want and also to do your saving, dieting, or whatever also. This way you don’t feel deprived, but yet move towards your goal. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can have your cake and eat it too!! This may also be a key to achieving self discipline.