Where does self-control and self-discipline come from?
A lack of self-control is really a lack of motivation rather than energy or ability, and motivation can be restored with something as simple as understanding this. I am completely disciplined today and totally motivated to be the best I can be on all levels, but that does not mean I am perfect because I am not. I still slip occasionally, depending on what unexpected emotions I am faced with.
Short-Term Gratification – The Plague Of Success
Every day, we are forced to deal with many distractions, and often, we struggle to concentrate on the task at hand, and we do our best to not get complacent. Whether trying to lose weight, kick a bad habit, or work towards bigger, better life goals, willpower always plays a big part in our success, but it’s not the whole story. Willpower is the ability to resist short-term gratification in the pursuit of long-term goals and objectives.
If you are depressed or full of anxiety, sad, or just fed up of failing, every time you try to change your bad habits, willpower alone will never work. You will always reach for the chocolate bar as instant gratification for comfort in the moment.
Understanding Your Behavior Is Key
To truly understand your thinking, which dictates your behaviors and leads to your actions, it is important you recognize how your subconscious mind works. You are what you think. How many times have you tried to change a habit, for instance, tried to give up smoking, only to find with the first flutter of stress, you go straight back to your old habit? If this sounds familiar, it is because acceptance of any new habit requires our subconscious mind’s cooperation and not just our willpower. Your conscious mind, your logical thinking, makes the decision to give up smoking because it is harming your body. The subconscious mind, your imagination, still enjoys the pleasure and taste of the cigarette.
Subconscious Conflict
Whenever there is any conflict in your mind, the subconscious will always win, especially if you are depressed or full of anxiety. When you have two opposing propositions in conflict, your subconscious will accept the stronger idea. Your imagination will always win over your desire. If your fear of failing is stronger than your desire to succeed, you will always fail. If your desire to succeed is greater than your fear of failure, eventually, success will happen. It really is as simple as that. By acknowledging and admitting there is a problem you need to solve, allows your subconscious to know there is always a solution to every problem.
Removing Your Lack Of Motivation
Start working on being conscious of your own thinking patterns and be disciplined and dedicated to your personal development goals.
Learn to visualize a mental image of what you want to change and keep telling yourself you want to succeed. Whatever your mind thinks about, your subconscious already knows there is a way to make it happen. Imagine yourself happy and fulfilled until one day, you believe you deserve to be happy and fulfilled.
Taking Back Control Over Your Impulses
People go to therapy because they want to think, feel, and act differently, but they haven’t been able to get themselves to do it. I am a great believer in the idea that we can all learn to self-analyze, understanding simply, that the “subconscious mind” is running the show. It’s our job to influence and adjust it.
Your mind is NOT your worst enemy; it’s a very powerful computer that you can program to help control all your desires and impulses. If you are what you think, think big, change direction, be brave and be bold, live only in the moment, and learn to forget all you have been told.
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