Discipline!!

[CroMagna]

I know that discipline can be acquired gradually, but can it also be acquired through "Overwhelming Force"? Can you just wake up early, suck it up, and get moving? Or is that bound to fail?

[Decamber]

It would be great, wouldn't it? The reality, I think, is different though. Discipline is patience; it is reminding yourself over, and over, and over again to stay on track, despite your feelings, despite your success versus failure rate. Sure, you can be struck by "overwhelming force" and feel totally disciplined once in a while! Just like you sometimes feel excessively happy, or excessively sad, this state is transient though. I may be wrong - but I don't believe you can hold on to a disciplined state forever.

[Akashic_Librarian]

I have often wondered this, I think it is a gradual thing, you can't just HAVE discipline. I suppose the quickest way is to just do it, over and over again until you practically crying, and then keep doing it some more until you can do whatever you want without a problem.

Although I am only guessing thats what would happen. I have never actually worked beyond the crying point

[David365]

Books on personal development don't devote much space to self discipline or will power. One of my favorite that does is "A touch of greatness" by Frank Tibolt.

The Tibolt method is to make yourself do something useful everyday for no other reason than you don’t feel like doing it. In other words, get tough with yourself.

[Eisho]

Originally Posted by CroMagna

I know that discipline can be acquired gradually, but can it also be acquired through "Overwhelming Force"? Can you just wake up early, suck it up, and get moving? Or is that bound to fail?

You can voluntarily put yourself in a position where others will use overwhelming force to discipline you. So I don't think it would be bound to fail if you tried it yourself. But that's the thing...you gotta try it yourself...

Cheers,

Eisho

[jwojdylo]

Self discipline and discipline in general are two totally different things. I think first time obedience with others is the best deciplinary process there is. If someone gets away with something once, they think they can do it over and over. Honestly, it becomes the same way personally; so make sure there is first time obedience.

[The David]

Originally Posted by CroMagna

I know that discipline can be acquired gradually, but can it also be acquired through "Overwhelming Force"? Can you just wake up early, suck it up, and get moving? Or is that bound to fail?

I'm sure it could happen. It just might not be the best way, especially if you overwhelmingly force yourself into sleep deprivation.

O.F is invaluable when something absolutely HAS to be done, and you don't feel like doing it. It is also good when you've repeatedly failed at something due to unnecessary multi-tasking. I'm the kind of person who tends to do things in short, intense bursts, so O.F is a useful addition to my toolbox. If you aren't that kind of person, then you might not learn much from relying on O.F.

[Monique7nuns]

The most effective form of discipline I've experienced is when it was backed by sound, grounded motivation that was partially positive and negative.. IE) I want to get healthy because I don't want to feel the pain and I do want to feel good. I'm a little mixed on whether positive or negative reinforcement is more effective, but for me somewhere in between did the trick - at least for awhile.

At times I've started with pure force feeling like I had to take the action, but ultimately I don't think it's what carried me through.

[Brutha]

It has to make click in that persons brain.

Learning processes are mostly Wait-Wait-Click-Wait-Wait-Wait-Click-Wait-Click-Wait-Wait-CLICK.

A single click can change something. It's however not easy to get growth and change.

People can go from smoker to nonsmoker in a single decision. It's however very difficult to really commit to something and have the CLICK-experience in your brain.

[nick pagan]

The word discipline is related to the word disciple - which means a follower. If you have to force yourself, then you are not following willingly, which is why you struggle against yourself.

It's important that you choose the standards and rules that you want to follow. If you choose them then you are more likely to keep up with them. When you are forced to do things that you don't want to do then you naturally rebel.

The difficulty is when you choose your own discipline, attempt to follow it and then find yourself struggling and in need of force or will power to keep going. This is disappointing and confusing.

The reason for the struggle is that you desire behaviors and performance levels from yourself that you are not able to meet. You have not yet reached a level of consistent ability to carry those things out.

To overcome this, lower your standards, or change the constraints of your rules, to give you sufficient flexibility to meet them most of the time. Once this becomes easy, then you can raise your standards to the next step, which is just about possible, if you apply yourself properly.

In this way you can follow your own chosen discipline and meet it in an easy fashion and without struggle.

This article might help you out when you find yourself frustrated with your own performance
Rapid Attitudinal Adjustment - The Key to Instant Recovery From Setbacks

Best regards,
Nick

[pinki]

Hi Guys,
I am a frequent follower of steve pavlina blogs. I decided to use this forum to master discipline and achieve my goals.

My first and foremost goal to achieve anything else is to get a job. I recently finished a project in June and have been unemployed since then. I'd like to look for a new project as soon as possible.

The reason for this post is to keep myself accountable. I'd be grateful if I receive your encouragement and advise.

I have an interview tomorrow and would like to deliver my best.

Thanks,
pinki

[CroMagna]

I can help keep you accountable. But I'm not sure what you like. Some people don't like feeling babied or lectured.

[hugofortin]

Originally Posted by CroMagna

I know that discipline can be acquired gradually, but can it also be acquired through "Overwhelming Force"? Can you just wake up early, suck it up, and get moving? Or is that bound to fail?

Hi,

Thanks for asking this question because I had the same question and I have the same problem.

I now know that you can't force it. It's good to know.

bye

Hugo

[pinki]

Hi CroMagna,
Thank you so much for your support. I really like being pushed little bit or when there are dead lines. That way I get things done.

I was extremely productive when I was doing my undergrad. I had a roommate then who used to push me in getting projects or assignments done and preparing for exams.

Right now Im arranging all the stuff needed for the interview. I need to get up early tomorrow.......

Thanks,
Pinki

[jbsmith]

Two major ways to improve discipline in your life

1. Learn to ALWAYS push yourself beyond your comfort zone. We tend to behave within the bounds of our comfort zone, unfortunately that results in our underlying character being weaker than required to apply ongoing discipline in the challenging times. After weeks and months of changing your character to get used to pressing beyond your comfort zone, suddenly you will find that the obstacles and challenges to discipline will be less likely to impact your dedication

2. Make the pain versus pleasure equation work for you. Using visualization, imagery, writing exercises and other methods you can program your mind to associate significant pain to the impact of NOT staying disciplined and significant pleasure to those results that are likely to come from staying disciplined.

While these techniques will not occur overnight, they can begin to take shape in weeks rather than months.

Jeff

[CroMagna]

Originally Posted by pinki

Hi CroMagna,
Thank you so much for your support. I really like being pushed little bit or when there are dead lines. That way I get things done.

I was extremely productive when I was doing my undergrad. I had a roommate then who used to push me in getting projects or assignments done and preparing for exams.

Right now Im arranging all the stuff needed for the interview. I need to get up early tomorrow.......

Thanks,
Pinki

Do you have your suit picked out? Is it ironed? Does it fit comfortably and neatly?

Do you have an extra copy of your resume, cover letter, and references? Are they on professional material paper?

Will you arrive 15 minutes early (on time) or on time (late)?

You may also want to ask someone if you should bring a pen and pad to take notes. Good luck.

[Taikin]

In my experience self-discipline is built through practice.
The sudden switch to discipline - to go from total laziness around an activity to doing it consistently from just a decision - is better described as a personal change.

When the latter happens it doesn't feel much like discipline to do the activity anymore. It's as Brutha said about the smoker and non-smoker decision (which my grandfather successfully went through): it's possible to go through that total switch but I'd argue it's because you've changed and not your capacity for discipline.
These changes can be prompted (and perhaps are usually prompted) by traumatic experiences or hitting rock bottom.

[pinki]

Hi CroMagna,
I had my suit ironed, resumes printed out, with notes, pen etc. I reached the interview place way ahead of time because I used public transportation to get there.

I was interview for Oracle Developer position. I had 3 rounds.

1. First round, they asked me about my recent project. And simple questions on my experience in other projects.

2. Second round, I was given a problem and was asked to figure out the problem. I was given some hints and I finally got to the answer.

3. Third round was not very good. I could not answer one technical question and I found the interviewer very rude and sarcastical.

Overall, I would say that the interview went okay.

From this experience, I realized that I should be able to present myself more confidently and talk more effectively.

I have good communication skills but I feel that my answers, both technical and behavioral should be more rehearsed.

I had one telephonic interview today from a different company. It went good. They said, if I get selected then they may call me for a face-to-face.
I need to rehearse my answers and improve my confidence level.

Thanks for following up.

Cheers,
pinki

[CroMagna]

Send them a thank you note soon. Keep us posted.

[pinki]

I got a call from them. Unfortunately I didnt get that position

--Pinki

[Matt Willard]

Well, you did your best, so that's commendable.

[CroMagna]

Everyone has been turned down for jobs. Just keep on.