When you hear the word discipline, you probably immediately associate it with strict rules that should never be broken. But if you think about it, you'll realize this is a preconceived notion. The problem is how we relate to the rules and that we do not know how to use them to our advantage. In fact, from my point of view, discipline is an exceptional tool with which you can increase your level of mental endurance.
In 2019, the World Health Organization acknowledged the existence of burnout syndrome, arguing that it can occur in a context where stress at work is solid and long-lasting. To talk about burnout, the person in question must check the following three conditions:
- First, you have no energy and feel exhausted.
- You hardly manage to complete work.
- You distanced himself as much as possible from work and, simultaneously, had negative feelings about it.
What does discipline mean?
The society in which we live teaches us, directly or indirectly, the following thing: to manifest your freedom means to be able to do whatever you want, whenever you want. For example, if you feel like eating fast food, you place an order immediately. Why not satisfy your cravings, right? And what if you set out to eat healthier ?! Let it start tomorrow, you tell yourself. If you go shopping and see a lovely dress, buy it immediately. Look how good I feel, you think. I deserve it! Even if you have already exceeded the budget for shopping this month and that dress was not a purchase that you need.
I mean that you satisfy your desires as soon as they arise. In this case, you cannot say that you are free or simply express your freedom. You are indeed free only when you no longer allow yourself to be dominated by your own desires, that is, when you make decisions and act consciously and responsibly concerning your long-term well-being and well-being. This is the first thing I think of when associating with discipline because discipline depends on how your brain perceives various situations and stimuli. Therefore, discipline is a matter of mindset.
So turn your mind into your ally. Don't let her sabotage you anymore. It is necessary to differentiate between the desire that would satisfy you only for a moment (the minuses then follow it) and the passion that brings you closer to how you want to be. Therefore, pay attention to the messages that your brain sends you and do not act on the first impulse. Balance, and Analyze whether or not what you are going to do is beneficial.
Establish your identity
You don't have to look at discipline as a set of rules and activities that you have to follow to follow them. Instead, establish your identity, and then it will be much easier for you to add to your daily routine the things you want to do to be good in the long run. Because we behave according to who we think we are.
If you consider yourself a person for whom the good physical condition is essential, then you will not resist the idea of doing sports. You will somehow make time, no matter how busy your daily schedule is. On the other hand, if caring for the environment is at the top of your mind, then you should always take a textile net from home before going to the supermarket.
So, establish your identity clearly, and you will see that this will help you be more disciplined towards your goals. That is, to find solutions.
How does discipline help you to be more resilient?
I was recently reading a novel, and it was a phrase that stuck in my mind and that I now recall from memory roughly: the difficulty is not to move but to choose the direction in which to go. We make hundreds of decisions every day. We are always active and dynamic. Because we always have something to do. But do we consume our energy in the best way? Are we efficient, or are we just doing as many things as possible until we get tired? And then we end up being dissatisfied or disappointed with ourselves that we can't keep up. We feel overwhelmed. We are under stress.
Discipline is a cure for these negative states. It's a way to organize yourself so that you feel better. Both long-term and short-term. Discipline gives you clarity, control, and power. It makes you see that you can achieve everything you set out to do. Increase your self-confidence. And all these things make you more resilient. Because you saw on your skin that you could achieve what you set out to do, as long as you are organized and follow your steps. Don't know where to start? Here are some suggestions:
- Set long-term and short-term goals, and write down your efforts to achieve them.
- Determine the time limits you set for yourself regarding watching TV or being on social media.
- Decide how much sugar, coffee, and alcohol you can afford.
- Write a list of things to do daily, establish the order and prioritize according to importance.
- Sleep eight hours a night each time so that your body regains its energy.
- Before you buy something, ask yourself if you need it.
- Spend time in nature and set a minimum number of steps each day.
It may seem paradoxical at first glance, but the truth is that we need certain limits to be well. They set a clear framework in which we can operate. It helps us not get distracted and stay focused on the distance to the finish line. And the more often we succeed in completing our tasks, the more self-confident we become. We train. And that makes us more resilient to the obstacles that will come.
And don't forget that discipline also affects the well-being of the body. In vain, do we care for the mind if we neglect the body? The two parts complement each other; one is not more important than the other. Nutrition helps us to be stronger. We increase our abilities if we give the body the necessary vitamins and nutrients. For example, a healthy and tasty smoothie will give you the energy to continue your work and complete everything you set out to do.
