You know a key to life that is missing from a lot of our lives? Discipline. It is not a very common trait these days. It takes discipline to not go buy whatever you want whenever you want it (massive credit card debt), it takes discipline to raise kids right (troubled kids), it especially takes discipline to be healthy (obesity epidemic). It is not easy to stay healthy these days. With people working more and more hours, fast food everywhere, 500 channels of TV to watch, etc... it takes time and effort to break through all that. I know a lot of people that are super disciplined in everything in their life, except their health. Usually something has to give. I practice discipline every day in my workouts. I workout in my garage by myself. It is really cold this time of year, tons of distractions, 100 other things I could be doing, but I get out there and get it done. My wife can tell you, I am undisciplined in a lot of other things. My car is a WRECK, my home office is a WRECK, my face is HANDSOME, clothes don't get hung up on a timely basis, and on and on. Are you like that? Extremely disciplined in one area and terribly undisciplined in another? Well here are a few tips to help increase self discipline.
1. Keep the goal in mind. I can't remember the last time I took a week off from working out when I wasn't sick. I am absolutely driven (possibly addicted) to exercise. If I ever need a little inspiration I go carry around a 50 pound dumbbell and remember I used to carry that weight on my body all day long. Never going back to being overweight is a big goal and a great motivator.
2. Realize you need it. Sounds simple, but it's the truth. Look at your life and see where you need discipline. It's in there somewhere. Maybe it's a weakness for sweets you can't break the habit of eating, but you know there is an area you need.
3. Do something every day you don't want to do. Not things you HAVE to do like go to work, pay bills, waking up early, etc... For me it's wearing pants. Technically I don't have to, but it is in everybody's best interest so I do. It could be as simple as walking the dog out in the cold, but overcoming that initial aversion to doing something will make it easier in the future to break through the next time and get things done.
4. Remember this quote. "The price of discipline is always less than the pain of regret."