December 2005

Improving self‑discipline

by Dr. Dennis Nikitow

Have you ever found yourself in a state of stagnation where you feel like it's not worth trying? Maybe you struggle with taking control of some unhealthy desire, or you are a slave to some disempowering habit that prevents your success. There is a way off this spiral road but it takes self‑discipline. The consequences of falling prey to lack of self‑discipline are many, but let's look a few of the most common ones.

***  Indulgence ‑‑ in the things that are not good for you or others around you. Obviously the actions you take have either benefits or consequences to you and others.

***  Affects to your health. Your health requires certain things to maintain balance , and functioning at its optimum.

***  Financial problems. People get over‑extended by spending too much and failing to budget and save just to satisfy empty world desires and achieve false fulfillment in material possessions.

***  Poor performance. Consistency means optimum performance. Laziness and lack of practice result in poor performance.

You:

***  create more work and stress for others (your slacks always have to be taken up by someone else) to the point where you actually become a burden rather than an asset...

***  become sloppy and reckless in your commitment to others...

***  are constantly tardy...

***  waste time and energy...

***  talk a lot but do little...

***  become a poor representative (if you learn self‑discipline you will be a great representative for your family, your performance and even God).

 To begin improving your self‑discipline, implement several important points in your life.

1. Establish a purpose. A purpose drives you in a specific direction. Purpose is the "why behind your mission." If you have a strong enough "why" it will be easier to develop self‑discipline to accomplish every purpose you have.

2. Motive. Motive is a reason why you do something based on what you get back from your actions. For instance, if you choose to improve something in yourself the benefit will come back to you.

3. Compelling desire. You must have a compelling desire to change, achieve, or acquire anything. If you want something bad enough your degree of self‑discipline will be much greater.

4. Next, you need to make a goal. Make sure to be specific. Write it down have a completion date and a tracking system. Tracking helps you change things as needed and apply more discipline or reward yourself for the discipline you have exhibited.

5. Identify obstacles, things that would stop you , or bad habits that enslave you . Learn to say "no" and practice self‑denial where needed. Detach yourself from those things or people that will stop you or slow your momentum.

6. Future pace your outcomes. Imagine how you would feel if you achieved your aim because you disciplined your actions. Now, imagine the outcomes if you weren't disciplined.

Establishing a disciplined life will have many rewards and your life will be more orderly and less stressful. You will begin to feel a lot better about yourself, and achieve a lot more. Your health will improve and your production level will definitely rise. Lastly, you will be a positive influence on others. By your example, they may see the benefits to developing a disciplined lifestyle for themselves.

(To learn about the Certainty System, Certainty Practice Products and Dr. Dennis Nikitow's upcoming seminar schedule, call 800‑544‑3884. Outside the US, 303‑721‑6202.)