self-discipline

[chemjeff]

Hi all,
I'd like to do some self-improvement by increasing my self-discipline. I'm not very disciplined at all and I'd like to make some strides in this area. Problem is, there are so many areas where I need improvement I don't know where to start. I'm lazy, my email inbox is bursting full, my desk is messy, my laundry isn't folded, my floor isn't clean, my office is a mess, I'm overweight, I'm unshaven - I'm just generally a wreck. I'm just looking for some advice on where to even start. I feel like such a total loser. So I guess the only things that I have going for me are that I shower every day and I don't live in my parents' basement. Any advice would be appreciated.

[supertom]

I have been increasing my discipline a lot lately from zero(honestly) now its about 6-7. For my the important thing is "quickness in initiative", as soon as know what to do next i do it, without even thinking about it.

I would put them all down on a piece of paper, just do one for starters and usually that leads to another put on some music if you want.

Now you've got you find a system that keeps things clear.

Recommend reading some time management and organisational stuff. Brian Tracy is best for time management and Julie morgenstern is best for organisation.

[wbindia]

The fact that you realize you have a problem in this area of self discipline is a positive first step:

a) Make a list of goals that you envision for yourself-both short and long term
b) Prioritize your goals in your life (losing weight, getting organized etc)
c) Make an action plan or to do list in helping you keep on track in "idealizing" your goals (i.e., walk 15-30 minute a day, do house chores 2 days a week, etc)
d) Share your goals with someone (spouse, friend,family member), that can help you be accountable for your actions-as an advocate
e) Pray and ask God for wisdom in seeing you to actually complete some tasks that you would like to see accomplished in your life

Best-

Wayne

Personal Goal Setting For Busy People

[allen080105]

Originally Posted by chemjeff

I'm just generally a wreck. I'm just looking for some advice on where to even start. I feel like such a total loser.

I would say start with how you're feeling. Making significant change is going to be an uphill climb if your daily default state is feeling like a loser. What you want is too feel good as much as possible despite whatever is going on around you.

you could try

- Writing out your goals and visualizing yourself actually having achieved those goals for 10-20 minutes (daily) for 30 days.
- Taking time to feel grateful for everything you do have now (daily) for 30 days. If you do this, you'll find yourself taking better care of what you have now.
- Work on cutting out the things that make you feel bad and disempower you (news, junk foods, distractions, people, etc)
- Write down 10 things that make you feel good and just do those when you're feeling down. Make sure that things on the list don't make you feel guilty after you do them or you'll just wipe out the good feeling)
- Stop blaming and complaining if you're doing that now. This is more of focusing on what you don't want and whatever you put your focus and attention on expands.

I would start small and slow and maybe work on one thing I mentioned above. You really want to go for consistency because you want to create empowering habits for the long term. You want to get in the habit of feeling good. You want to get into the habit of organization. You want to get in the habit of taking effective action to move towards what you want.

[CoolBee]

If you want some help getting to grips with baby-stepping your way to household routines check out flylady.net

Marla Cilley 'saved my life' from being drowned in chaos very many moons ago.

Her methods can come across a bit sentimental but they work. Just adapt for you.

She has got a couple of obsessions ' the shiny sink' (well for me I started with 'do the dishes' as I don't have a dishwasher instead) and she obsesses about wearing shoes in the home - I don't and won't. I keep slip-ons by the door in case I need to go outside quickly and don't want to interrupt the flow (the point of it).

You can apply her stuff to things that work in your life. I spent many happy years on a 'PayrollSHEs' forum as I spent 6 years decluttering my life!

[Gaz]

Damn, was beaten to it be Coolbee. But the flylady routine does have quite a lot of benefit. You can always modify it as you see fit. (substitute your obsession in for "the shiny sink") but it'a as good a starting point as any.

[Marko500]

Start with the physical body. Build a body as it should be. That is my recommendation.

In this way you will best learn what self-discipline is.