Developing Self-Discipline & Consistency

[Ed from PA]

Hey all,

Just thought I'd stop in here for some advice and/or suggestions.

I've had the same 6 or 7 goals for the last 10 years. I've got the plan, I just can't keep going with it. What I've found is that I'll start working on a goal and have 3 or 4 days of solid progress and then I'll screw-up royally and mess it up. Then, it will take several weeks to work-up the emotional strength to start again.

I've got some goals that are absolutely critical that I achieve.

Can anyone give me some advice or give me suggestions about developing self-discipline and figuring out a way to have some consistency?

Thanks!

Godspeed,
Ed

[m0vingon]

Goal achievement is a complicated thing. Often we struggle to achieve things that we think we should achieve, but deep down, don't really fully desire or have a fear of succeeding. My first suggestion would be that you honestly re-assess your goals and determine whether or not they are true to you, not what you think you should do or what society dictates etc.

In reading you post it seems that you have some concrete all or nothing thinking. When you "screw up" does that mean you've totally abandoned your quest for that goal? It shouldn't. (I hate the word should, but I couldn't think of a better way to say it).

If you think of goal achievement as an ongoing process then there is no start or stop. There are only days when you actively put energy into achieving that goal, and days when you didn't. The goal is always there, it's an ongoing journey, you never stop working toward it on some level and as such it will be met at some point. All or nothing thinking is so limiting.

Consider what daily habits you can get into that will bring you closer to your goals. Then implement them every day. Be reasonable and realistic and you will be able to achieve whatever you have set out to do.

[rbhambha]

Originally Posted by Ed from PA

Hey all,

Just thought I'd stop in here for some advice and/or suggestions.

I've had the same 6 or 7 goals for the last 10 years. I've got the plan, I just can't keep going with it. What I've found is that I'll start working on a goal and have 3 or 4 days of solid progress and then I'll screw-up royally and mess it up. Then, it will take several weeks to work-up the emotional strength to start again.

I've got some goals that are absolutely critical that I achieve.

Can anyone give me some advice or give me suggestions about developing self-discipline and figuring out a way to have some consistency?

Thanks!

Godspeed,
Ed

Ed,

I feel your pain. For a long time, I felt as though I could never follow through with anything. Then I came across a fool proof method of goal-setting that will help you stay on track with any goal you set for yourself. It goes something like this.

Break up the goal into intermittent time horizons, for example:

Write out your 3-month goal, 1 year goal, and ultimate long-term goal (make sure they are quantified by setting a deadline, etc.)

Write out the daily habits necessary to achieve this goal

Write out the reasons for striving to achieve this goal (make sure they are personal and are the real reasons why you are trying to accomplish the goal, should be emotional)

This will shift your perspective from a long-term horizon, to a day-by-day approach to accomplishing your goals. Viewing goals as long-term commitments is often times overwhelming. In reality, accomplishing a goal is a day-by-day process.

I've written an article on my blog detailing the process. Check it out if you need more specifics.

Hope this helps,

Rahul

[z1freeride]

Originally Posted by Ed from PA

...

I've got some goals that are absolutely critical that I achieve.

Can anyone give me some advice or give me suggestions about developing self-discipline and figuring out a way to have some consistency?

Thanks!

Godspeed,
Ed

"In examining the mental patterns (beliefs, thoughts,
attitudes, emotions) of the most successful people in every
area of life and in every field, one of the most common
patterns that stand out as completely different from
"average" people is the automatic mental images that flow
through their consciousness every moment of the day." - Mike Brescia

(ME): That is one of the main differences between successful (consistent) people and not-so-successful people. Normal folks will be inspired to set a goal and to achieve it. They stay focused on the goal for awhile but when they go on "autopilot" their daily, subconscious thoughts revert back to their uninspired state.

I believe that you need to rehabilitate your thought patterns so that when you do go into autopilot, those successful thought patterns occur without any effort. (As a man thinketh so is he.)

There are three levels of motivation.

[mariposa]

Two things I have found that helped me. First, limit the number of goals or changes you are trying effect. 7 or 8 is too many to manage at one time. ( they say people can remember 2-5 bits of information so if this list is too long to keep in your head its probably too long to keep in the forefront of your actions). Second, I don't think discipline at least as it is portrayed ( harsh, self denying regimes) work in the long run. Its much better if you establish new habits related to something you like. For example, with exercise, if going to the gym requires discipline, then why not start with walking 20 minutes and enjoying the sites along the way? If you don't enjoy it you are never going to be able to do it consistently. That´s my two cents. Hope it helps.

[Brutha]

Write out your 3-month goal, 1 year goal, and ultimate long-term goal (make sure they are quantified by setting a deadline, etc.)

Bonus Effect: Share that 3-month goal with us to get a bit accountability.