A Simple Trick to Help you Develop More Self-Discipline
A Simple Trick to Help You Develop More Self-Discipline
If you had more self-discipline, would you benefit? Probably, yes.
The way to develop more self-discipline is to learn a simple phrase, and then repeat it to yourself, whenever you hear the word, "Should".
The phrase is, "If you should, you MUST!" - emphasise the MUST.
The trick is that simple!
How the self-discipline trick works.
If you were to say to yourself, "I should exercise today", then immediately rephrase the statement to become: "Today, I MUST exercise".
Really push down on the word "must" and use it to create an inner sense of compulsion.
"I should get out of bed now" transforms into, "I MUST get out of bed, NOW!"
"I should call Gavin and find out how he is getting on" transforms into, "TODAY I MUST call Gavin"
Why the self-discipline trick works.
This technique works because your mind uses words to give meaning to its thoughts.
Think carefully about that sentence: Your mind uses words to give meaning to its thoughts.
Therefore, your words affect your actions because every action you take is governed by a specific thought.
- If you say, "I should get up now", then you imply that you should, but you won't.
- If you say, "I should go to the gym today", then you imply that you should, but you won't.
A lot of people suffer with "the shoulds".
So, our goal is to eliminate the "shoulds" and replace them with "musts". Therefore: Should = Must.
We apply the same rule to shouldn't.
Imagine you are on a diet and John offers you a piece of cake .
You say rather lamely, "Thanks John, but I shouldn't really be eating cake."
John says, " Go on, one piece of cake won't hurt you!".
You say, "Okay, then. Just one."
We know that whenever you say the words, "I shouldn't really do that.....", you are just about to do it!
To vanquish the temptor, use the word MUST.
"John, I must not eat cake, because I am on a weight-loss diet".
Your mission is to succeed.
And to help you succeed, write out on a card, the following phrase: If I should, I MUST
or if you want an even simpler version, write: "Should is MUST".
"With self-discipline, all things are possible." Theodore Roosevelt.
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Your Comments
Further Reading in Personal Development
-
Release Your Full Potential
Release Your Full Potential You are a person who has not yet used your full potential.You would agree with me on that, wouldn't you? Don't feel bad about it. Nobody uses their full potential; because you only have one lifetime; and one lifetime is not enough to utilise all your God...
Read Article > -
How to get the best from yourself - Personal development training
How to get the best from yourself Both in your work life and in your home life, you need to get the best from the others around you. In order to get the best from others, you must first learn to get the best from yourself. Before you can hope to...
Read Article > -
Four forces that affect you
Four forces that affect you You are continually affected by four forces: Your own thoughts and actions. The actions of others. Mother Nature. Systems. With respect to these four forces, most people tend to fall into two personality types: They tend to have one of two ways of looking at the...
Read Article > -
How Can I Create Better Results?
Everyone wants their lives to be better, in the sense of enjoying better results. So what is it that determines the quality of results?
Read Article > -
The Psychology of Achievement
Developing a positive self-image is the key to success.
Read Article >