Note: This article is by author Jeff Minick, who tells us about his experience practicing self-discipline to achieve success.
William B. Irvine, a philosophy professor, extensively discusses the advantages of self-discipline in his book "A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy."
The benefits that the ancient Stoics found in depriving themselves of certain pleasures are discussed in a chapter of the book titled "Self-Denial." For instance, abstaining from rich foods in order to replace them with common foods and finding rewards in this act of denial.
"Water and a meal made of barley and crusts of barley bread are not a pleasant diet, but the highest pleasure is to be able to enjoy this kind of food," the Roman philosopher Seneca tells us.
Unfortunately, we live in a time when self-gratification predominates over self-denial, as we decide that we must buy the nice running shoes we see at the mall despite the fact that we don't need them, and we can't resist the temptation of pizza and fast food despite our determination to lose 10 pounds (about 5 kg) before our next beach vacation.
We happily tell ourselves, "Tomorrow is another day," as Scarlett O'Hara did in the movie "Gone With the Wind", and "We discovered that we can resist everything except temptation," as Lord Darlington did in the play "Oscar Wilde."
Temptations Resistant
Of course, many people practice self-discipline, forgoing momentary gratification in favor of potential rewards, as in the case of the lazy 60-year-old who, after looking in the mirror and not liking what he sees, decides to join a gym and exercise six days a week for a year. Every working day, a married father with two young daughters leaves the house at the crack of dawn to construct his home and provide for his family. A college student chooses to study for a chemistry test on Monday rather than go out with friends for a fun Friday night coffee at a nearby café; as Seneca once said, "They may find pleasure in studying."
This college student practices another form of self-discipline which is delayed gratification, as they strive to complete their studies with a degree and a rewarding job rather than concentrating on the present moment.
I once knew a man who saved his money and decided against taking out a loan to buy a car because he didn't want to pay interest, as he saw that paying in full with cash would give him more room to negotiate with the salespeople. He was prepared to put off the joy of owning a car in order to accomplish these goals, and that is exactly what delayed gratification is.
Hardworking
Perseverance is another key component of the mechanism of self-discipline, and delayed gratification.
When we are working toward a goal, it can sometimes feel like we are moving through a puddle of wet cement because it gets harder and harder to make progress, and any effort to work toward a goal can frequently seem pointless and futile.
When my wife and I owned a house and a bookstore in the Smokies, we experienced days and even months of disappointing sales, expensive repairs, and unforeseen personal expenses. As many small business owners have experienced, these trying times can cause daily stress, which can result in hopelessness and giving up.
The same is true of other endeavors, big and small, as a man who quits smoking knows that they must continue to do so until they break the habit, not just get past the first day or even the first week without tobacco.
A graduate student who also holds a full-time job must develop the discipline and perseverance to devote themselves to their studies and exams after finishing their shifts at the office until they get their degree.
Only those who continue on the path and keep moving forward will complete the journey, which can be a long and challenging one.
Habit, the Great Tool
"The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself," wrote Plato once, and habit is one of the most effective tools we can use to ensure the success of this victory.
It is unlikely that successful businessmen who attribute a portion of their success to rising early would have maintained this schedule throughout their entire lives. They must have at some point understood the value of replacing sleep with solitude and contemplation in the early morning hours, so they forced themselves to get out of bed through self-discipline to work and think while others slept.
Similarly, a young mother who rises early to pray and meditate deprives herself of additional sleep because she values that time spent by herself.
In many ways, the habit replaces the need for self-discipline when self-discipline becomes a habit itself, such as going to the gym, fasting two days a week, or cleaning the kitchen every day, as we no longer have to force ourselves to perform certain conscious, often painful, tasks and we simply do them as part of our daily routine.
Some Tips to Create New Habits
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” This quote is actually from Will Durant's "The Story of Philosophy," not from Aristotle as it is commonly believed.
Self-discipline, perseverance, and some well-planned strategies are needed to create a new, productive habit.
First, when we set out on our journey, we must be as optimistic as we can be. In the children's book "Little Engine That Could," the little engine repeatedly said, "I believe I can, I believe I can, I believe I can," as it pushed a freight train up a mountain. Repeating the same words to ourselves will help us succeed.
When we impose self-discipline, we feel as though we are fighting a battle between desire and will, and for our will to prevail, we must learn self-discipline and self-denial. We must also realize that in improving our self-discipline, we have to be both students and teachers. After all, discipline is derived from Latin, which, among other things, means "disciple."
Making modest beginnings can also help our success. Set a realistic goal of losing a few pounds per week if you decide to lose weight, and gradually cut out some foods from your diet. Check your email every hour rather than every 15 minutes if you want a more productive workday.
Expect failure and setbacks, and then use discipline to get back on track. "You fall seven times, but get up eight," as the old Japanese proverb says. To get back on your feet, you need to practice self-discipline. Many entrepreneurs experienced bankruptcy before rising up and finding new success. My friend John, who currently makes a living by trading stocks, wins some and loses some because he just keeps going.
The Victory of Will Over Desire
The paradox emerges when we practice self-discipline and surpass ourselves, and this self-acquirement makes us stronger. We begin with light weights and gradually increase our weights over the course of several months, much like bodybuilders in the gym.
We are able to control ourselves through our small choices, such as forgoing the ice cream and mint chocolate chips in the grocery store fridge, weeding the garden instead of watching TV, and forcing ourselves to clean out the closet. Ultimately, practicing self-discipline will help you reach bigger goals.
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