I only need one thing to improve the future
When we want to introduce a new habit into our lives or implement a resolution, we find that our most important companion is inner discipline. When we think of discipline, we may think of a situation that we want to avoid. And that's normal, because we've learned that discipline is something that has to be strict and rigid, and when we avoid it, we feel free.
The type of discipline we see in our families or schools, which has shaped our perception in this way, is called external discipline. Internal discipline, on the other hand, is the ability to do something on one's own, consistently, within the same routine. Without discipline, development is not possible. So, despite all the bad labels it has been subjected to, in this article, I'm going to give a little bit of a disciplinary shout-out.
When we set a goal for ourselves, what we need to do is to make a plan on how we can achieve that goal. We also need to think about where we want to be in the future and design who we need to be in order to get there.
When we look back from that day to today, we can ask: What steps do I need to take day by day? What habits do I need to add or remove from my life? What do I need to learn to do better? We set certain routines and rules for ourselves so that inner discipline becomes our roadmap. Our discipline sets our boundaries and the steps we take. We update our plans as needed and gradually enjoy the pleasure of moving forward on our own path.
Of course, not every path in life goes as smoothly as described here. As we know, it is precisely at this point of being on the road that we have the most difficulty in reaching our goals and where we need inner discipline the most. In this process, we get tired, we get bored, we have difficulties, we can get off track. That's why I think it's not very sustainable to apply any behavior pattern as we hear it from the outside without internalizing it ourselves.
I can elaborate the point of internalization as making sense from our own point of view or connecting it to our values. For example, a person who has internalized the behavior of not consuming sugar to take care of their health is making a choice that prioritizes the value of health. We need a solid "why" to move forward in the process and to want to keep moving forward. When we bring our own values into it, our inner discipline is strengthened and it becomes more possible to continue what we have started.
Whether in the news we see or in conversations among our own friends, we always see the outcome emphasized. However, there is one fact that can never be ignored: there is a great deal of work, effort and discipline throughout the process. People who have achieved a certain result never talk about how hard they worked, how hard they struggled, what psychological processes they went through or what they sacrificed.
When comments such as "because he or she is luckier" are made about those who have succeeded, a belief is created that some people achieve their success effortlessly. Someone who chooses to believe this idea does not even dare to try; he or she is naturally liberated from the weight of responsibility without having to work hard, without having to pay the price. Those who desire to develop and progress in life believe that working in a disciplined way will be a challenging, yes, but rewarding process.
What would be the smallest step you could take to improve anything you want to improve? I read a quote that says, "You want to improve your life, start by tidying your room." What we need is to set ourselves a goal that is worth trying, put in the effort and then maintain it consistently. I think for many it is not so much a lack of knowledge as a lack of practice. If difficulty is a fact of life, sometimes it takes discipline to stay with the feeling of difficulty.
