Brian Tracy argues that self-discipline is learnable through focused, repeated practice and is central to leadership, self-confidence, and success. He advises choosing one discipline at a time, visualizing the behavior, using positive affirmations (e.g., "I am always punctual"), and enforcing a strict no-exceptions rule; persistence turns these practices into permanent habits and increases effectiveness in all life areas.
Self discipline is a learnable quality that anyone can attain through hard work and repetition. While this process may seem simple, it's not easy to do. Everyone can become a great leader and have better self confidence and achieve success if they continue to do the right things in the right way. The fact is that you can develop whatever qualities you consider desirable and necessary. For some people it will be easier, and for others it will take more time and effort. But each person has the inborn ability to shape his or her character and personality in a positive way by being clear about his or her future intent and determined enough to press forward through the difficulties, resistance and setbacks that you will always experience. The process of developing discipline is simple, though not easy. Nothing worthwhile is easy. First, decide upon the one discipline that can be most helpful to you in your career at the moment. Don't try to change several things about yourself at once or develop several disciplines for yourself simultaneously, no matter how attractive and desirable they may be at the moment. Your basic need is to focus and concentrate on the development of a single discipline that until it is locked in and becomes a part of your personality. Then you can move on to the development of the next discipline on your list. Once you've chosen a discipline to develop, begin to think about how you would behave if you already had this discipline or habit. See yourself acting or reacting in a situation where you want to practice this discipline. Then create a positive affirmation for yourself to continually reinforce this new discipline. You will actually become what you say to yourself about yourself over and over again. This will build your self confidence and you will begin to see yourself in a new light. For example, you can say, I am always timely and punctual. I am always punctual for every meeting. I am always punctual for every appointment. I am always punctual. And as you keep repeating that over and over again, you program it deeper and deeper into your subconscious mind. And your subconscious mind then begins to push you to be on time for every meeting or appointment. Now, once you've decided on the discipline you're going to develop, the key is for you to launch strongly on your new discipline. Resolve to never allow an exception until it becomes permanent. If you fall off the wagon, immediately restate your affirmation as a command to yourself and begin trying it again. This is the only way you can develop the habit of discipline in that particular area. The best part of this process of developing disciplines is the direct relationship between self discipline and persistence. The more you persist in any endeavor, the greater self discipline and self confidence, you'll develop. It's been well said that persistence is self discipline in action. The more consistently you practice your chosen disciplines, the more you will like and respect yourself. You will feel more confident and optimistic. You will become more effective in every area of your life. When you develop the disciplines of leadership excellence, you will become a more powerful and resourceful leader. Get more done, have greater self confidence and succeed at higher levels in everything you attempt. If you enjoyed this video, please like, comment and share it with your friends.
