Self-Discipline: Mind Over Mood
Self-Discipline: Mind Over Mood
The ONE most important thing that will improve the quality of your life is self discipline. Self discipline is the one thing that makes the biggest difference.
Self discipline is the act of doing what your MIND tells you to do, rather than doing only what your MOOD tells you.
Self discipline is the act of placing the power of your mind OVER your mood.
You can judge any situation according to two criteria:
- A logical criteria. The Mind.
- An emotional criteria. The Mood.
Self discipline is the conscious decision to make a mindful, logical evaluation of the facts, and then to act accordingly, even if you don't feel like it.
Lack of self discipline is the unconscious decision to make an emotional evaluation of the facts, ignore logic and then to respond in an emotional manner according to how you feel in the moment.
Self discipline leads to success
Lack of self discipline leads to failure.
Examples of self discipline:
Eat the only amount you need. Don't eat more than you need, if you do then you will be overfed; you'll feel stuffed, sluggish and you'll get fat.
Do the tasks that need to be done, even if you don't feel like it.
Don't wait until you are in the mood. You are never in the mood to do your taxes. Nor are you in the mood to do the housework, or your sit-ups, or visit the dentist, or clean the toilet, or mow the lawn, or do the ironing. But all these things need to be done.
On the other hand; if you can make yourself do what you know you should do, when you know you should do it, then you will soon find yourself looking better, becoming more organised, smarter, and you'll arrive on time.
People will notice the difference and they will upgrade their opinion of you.
More importantly when you start to live according to your mind, rather than your transient moods, you will begin to feel stronger about yourself.
You will begin to realise that you are in control of you. You are in control, not your bad habits.
Self discipline, mind over mood, means:
- Don't say everything you feel like saying.
- Don't eat everything you feel like eating.
- Remember that you cannot drink your way out of trouble. You can only think your way out of trouble.
- Mind over mood means: putting your intellect in the driving seat of your life, not your moods, or feelings, or passions.
- If you let your intelligence guide your actions, you will say fewer wrong things. You will make fewer mistakes.
- The removal of avoidable mistakes in the way you speak and the way you act will make a major impact on your overall results.
A life containing fewer errors
Can you imagine how life would be better if you stopped saying the wrong things; if you only did the rights things and avoided making errors of omission; if you were well prepared, always early and ready to do battle? If you were fitter, better informed and better prepared?
All of these attributes are yours for the taking, if only you would put your mind before your mood.
Self discipline is simply the act of putting your mind before your mood and acting according to what your intellect tells you and NOT responding in an emotional manner to the circumstances of the day.
It is that simple! Good luck.
How Good Are Your Work Habits Quiz
People who have good work habits make more progress in less time. How good are your work habits? Try our fun quiz to find out.
Personal Development Training
In order to improve your performance, you may need to develop your personal and professional skills: meaning: skills of communication, planning, prioritisation, motivation and personal confidence. If you want to learn more, then click here for personal development training.
About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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!
Further Reading in Personal Effectiveness
-
Habit Pattern v Thought Process
We all develop habits. Habits tend to eliminate the need for conscious thought. Which is fine, if all our habits were GOOD habits, but unfortunately they are not all good.
Read Article > -
How to Stop Worrying
Many people spend too much valuable time, fretting and worrying over things which have happened; or might happen. Fretting and worrying doesn't change anything other than your emotional state.
Read Article > -
What is Impression Management?
Impression management is the art of presenting yourself in a positive way. First impressions do count, especially in interviews and business situations. Learn the art of leaving good impressions wherever you go.
Read Article > -
How to make the most of your journey to work
Commuting to work can be tedious and mind-numbingly boring. So, we have put together some suggestions on how you can make the most of your down time stuck in traffic, or waiting for the train. Use your down time to improve yourself.
Read Article > -
Four Personal Effectiveness Training Skills
Four Personal effectiveness training skills In order to get the best from yourself and others what are the skills and knowledge you need to develop? There are many skills relating to personal effectiveness. But we will focus on four essential skills. Four essential personal effectiveness skills. There are four major...
Read Article >
Looking for Personal Development Training?
If you're looking to develop your Personal Effectiveness Skills, you may find this Personal Development Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 23 days, Online - Teams, places available