Wikepedia states that “Self-discipline can be defined as the ability to motivate oneself in spite of a negative emotional state. Qualities associated with self-discipline include willpower, hard work, and persistence”.
Negative Emotional states will arise. Some examples are:
Why am I working so hard, when money is not coming in fast enough?
Maybe I should do something different.
I could have done this faster if I didn’t listen to … (fill in the blank).
I am so tired today, all I want to do is play with my friends on Facebook.
I’ll get to my project after I … fill in the blank).
I feel so incompetent.
I don’t know as much as my peers.
I just learned this tutorial but I have no time to implement it.
I’m not good enough to make it in this business.
I never succeeded in anything before, why do I think I could do it now?
I feel like I am running in a circle and getting nowhere.
I feel like everyone is making money except me.
These are only a few of the negative thoughts that may be in your head. Does any of this sound familiar to you?
We do have negative thoughts from time to time, but they are “just thoughts”.
Unfortunately, these negative “just thoughts” are potent enough to stop you in your tracks, make you give up, encourage you to procrastinate, and totally overwhelm you.
But, when all is said and done, YOU are still the master of your thoughts. YOU can turn them around. So here are a few suggestions on what to do when you are thinking this way.
Make a conscious decision that you are going to battle these thoughts. You are going to work on it all day, every day.
Here is a call to action:
Set a small goal that is within your comfort zone. It could be anything.
Make sure you have the time to complete that goal.
Just Do It!
Think about how you feel when that “little” task is completed.
What you are thinking?
Feels good doesn’t it?
This “feeling” will reinforce your self-worth, and you will be free to turn even more of your ACTIONS into productivity.
This is Self Discipline! It’s components are Will-Power, Hard Work, Persistence and Consistency.
The next time you feel yourself slipping into overwhelm and procrastination, try to Self Discipline yourself in this way. Be determined to accomplish just one tiny (but meaningful and targeted) task.
It may seem like a very small achievement. But taking action and accomplishing even the smallest task can put you back on the path to attaining your greatest goals. And that’s why your feelings and mood will instantly become more positive and proactive.
Action begets further action.
This is the root of Self Discipline. No need to take my word for it. Put it to the test and see for yourself.
Twitter: pvariel
December 1, 2013 at 6:17 am #
Yes, some of the thoughts mentioned in the list is so familiar to me, and never thought of this positive solutions LOL yes, the action call here can do wonders. indeed Great solutions here for the negative thoughts, I am sure it will work and can reach to the goal. Great post. thanks for sharing. Keep inform
Philip V Ariel recently posted..‘Yet another Thanksgiving Day/ Week is here again. And "Thank You" The Magic Word. Happy Thanksgiving Day
Thank you Donna!
This article could not have come at a better time. At one time or another, I would have been twelve for twelve on your negative thoughts examples. Yet, we plow forward, set goals, celebrate achievements and persevere in the overwhelming sea of negativity.
Keep on keepin’ on!
Nathan
You Bet Nathan,
Glad to see that you have overcome those negative thought examples. They do come up from time to time, but onward we have to go once we master it.
I find so many people having those negative thoughts. It is just a matter of confronting it and turning it around.
Thanks for visiting Nathan!
Donna
Hello Donna
Napoleon Hill in “The Laws of Success says, “Without self-discipline, enthusiasm resembles the unharnessed lighting of an electrical storm – it may strike anywhere. Self-discipline is not a trait, it’s a skill that ones needs to constantly get better at. Practice it every day. It’s a life skill that you learn, like any other, and like any other, the more you practice it, the better you get at it. Donna your call to action is an excellent way to practice self-discipline in our lives.
Thanks
Perry A Davis Jr
Music City
Perry Davis recently posted..What is the real reason people quit network marketing?
Thank you Perry, Self discipline is a learned behavior. It does take a lot of practice, but without it, it becomes part of your life. Without it, your business could very well fail.
Thanks for your comment.
Donna
Once again a great post packed with value. I just read another post by Ruth Alade regarding that there’s no best marketing method and consistancy is key. She is correct, but when distractions pull us away (physical or psychological) the consistancy fades. I have found that when I set small goals throughout the day I get much more accomplished and I am able to stay focused.
Thanks for this great post and I look forward to your next!
Margaret
Hi Margaret,
You are on the money! Consistency IS they key. Distractions will always pull us away, that’s why we need to practice self-discipline. Otherwise, at the end of the day, there is nothing but stress for not completing our goals.
Thanks for stopping by,
Donna
Great post Donna, it is very much needed!! I have been stuck in mindset ruts many times and these are some great tips you provide here!! Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks April, Mindset ruts do come along, but as long as we “know” it is only a mindset rut, then we can conquer it.
blessings,
Donna
I’m a firm believer in achieving small tasks. I always advice my readers to break tasks into small chunks. Our mind can handle small chunks at a time, rather than an overwhelming task. As you said, appreciating the small things you do can and will build up to larger achievements.
Anne recently posted..Get Past Your Past
Thanks Anne, your blog is wonderful and you always give awesome advice. I can see we are of the same mindset here.
Blessings,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Hi Donna,
Sometimes, we have to take action even if the thoughts or feelings don’t seem to naturally generate them. That’s why planning, and self-discipline, is so important. Often, taking action is what will actually generate the productive thoughts and feelings we need to create more magic!
Thanks for sharing some great insight here!
Justine 🙂
Justine Simard (SpunkeBusiness) recently posted..Inexpensive Online Marketing Strategies for your Business Website
Hi Justine, Thank you for visiting my blog. Yes, Taking Action is the key, that’s why I gave that small call to action in this blog. I always feel like taking one task and completing it will generate more action.
Thanks again,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Donna,
I have had “just thoughts” many times. I fight those thoughts all the time. I like your advice to pick a small obtainable goal and go for it. That could be the start of a growing pattern!
I look forward to more posts from you!
Thanks,
Tom Burt
Hi Tom,
I believe we all get those “thoughts” all the time. Once we identify them as where they come from and realize what they are we can give them a name. I call them “the critic” inside you. That “critic” is always there, and with time and practice of identification, all you do is swish it away.
Thanks for stopping by,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Hi Donna…
I love the way you spelled all the negativism in the form of “I”. It is so true that negativism is always spelled out in the form of some sort of self-destruction. It is always a self-absorptive attitude. You the went on to give a strong call to action in the form of get up and get at it. Outstanding. Even those of us who are by nature more driven to succeed, would be well to ready this daily! Thanks!
Thanks for your awesome comment Martin! Yes I did it in the “I” form to resonate with people and how often we all have those negative thoughts. Then my call to action was a small one but good enough for the reader to think and then do.
Thank you,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Hello Donna,
Excellent Advice.
No matter how motivated or successful we become, we all have times where we need a reminder, gentle push or to re-review or goals.
Thanks.
John Robberson recently posted..10 Tips on How To Choose MLM Blog Topics
Hi John,
Thanks for visiting. Yes, we do need to be reminded of this. Maybe that’s why I even wrote this post to remind myself lol
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Twitter: rachellavern
February 12, 2012 at 9:22 pm #
Great post Donna.
So many people struggle staying completely focused or having iron
control over self all the time. Self control, self discipline or just will
power – all are within OUR control. And taking back that control will help one to grow and prosper beyond theirwildest dreams!
Rachel Lavern recently posted..Who is the REAL You? (Part 2)
You Bet. It is all about taking our control. Thanks for stopping by!
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Twitter: marquitaherald
February 12, 2012 at 7:02 am #
Quite a thought provoking visual you have there Donna! Great topic – those pesky internal limiting beliefs can really do a number on pretty much every area of our lives. Ironically, the thoughest part of getting rid of them is identifying the negative message – and you have listed very helpful steps to that end. Thanks!
marquita herald recently posted..The Journey from Near Extinction to Cultural Renaissance
Thank you Marquita! Yes the identification of negative messages is the first step. Once you have identified a negative thought, you can have power over it. Thanks for your input.
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Donna,
Thank you for the very interesting read. These are very good tips for getting yourself out of a negative situation. I especially liked the one about setting small goals. Many times, if we can break up 1 task into 5 smaller ones, it is easier to get those done and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Gary Young China Sourcing recently posted..China Sourcing: Just Showing Up
Hi Gary, Thanks for your comment. Yes, breaking up a task into smaller ones does get things done! If we don’t take our baby steps in our goals, we may get so overwhelmed that we won’t accomplish any of them.
Blessings,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Great words to live by, Donna. I used to stuggle with this a lot.
Hey Rodney! Good to see you again. I’m sure YOU have overcome that struggle because you are out there all the time teaching and working hard!
Thanks for stopping by.
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
That is exactly the ticket. A small and meaningful action. One that I can be successful at finishing to show the rest of myself that I can do it.
Sometimes those big long lists of things to do make it seem impossible to even begin, so we don’t. And then we get to be right twice.
Not only did we not get our goal accomplished, so we were right about it being too difficult, but we are also right about the kind of person we are inside, someone who doesn’t get things accomplished. Ouch and double ouch.
Making a decision on a small action to take and then taking that action can bring us an immense feeling of relief and power at the same time. Thank you for a great article. Time to go take some action. 🙂
Michael recently posted..Because My Mom Said So
Wonderful input Michael!
Making one decision of one goal and taking action does bring us that feeling of relief and power at the same time. Putting too many goals in the plate leads to procrastination.
Blessings,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Hi Donna,
It’s pretty easy to give up or keep procrastinating especially if you work from home. I like the idea of setting small goals, since most of the times we just need to take action and if our goal is too big and difficult chances are that we will never accomplish it. On the other hand if we set small and easy goals, each time we accomplish one we will have more confidence to continue for the next goal…
Kostas recently posted..The Freelancer’s Money Management Toolkit: 5 Essentials
Hi Kostas, Absolutely! Working from home tends to lead us into procrastination, so much so, that I put in my opt-in on my blog just about that! I find that it is easy to procrastinate when we run our own business. This is why I wrote this one call to action that is a baby step to setting goals. Reinforcement is the key here. Once we get that feeling of accomplishment, It grows.
Thanks for your input,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Another truly excellent post, dear Donna! I so totally agree. Thoughts are just that — thoughts. You have thoughts and emotions, but your thoughts and emotions are not you. You’re bigger than these things. You are more than a pretty face on a package of skin and bones. You are consciousness made material. You are…
Alright, enough with the pep talk. More to the topic, I love your call to action. As the saying goes, nothing succeeds like success. These little successful actions will go a long way in redeeming the faith in oneself. They’ll build self-discipline and keep the flame of inspiration burning. Or as the Wisefool (my alter ego) would say, “Little hills of success are what will lead you to your giant mountain.”
Thank you for the well-articulated reminder and inspiration!
Srinivas Reddy recently posted..Touch Me, Please Touch Me!
Srinivas, I love your quote “Little hills of success are what lead you to your giant mountain.” Confidence and persistence doesn’t happen over night. Rather, it is a learned behavior. Taking one small step and apply it into action will lead us to the giant mountain. Or like “Nike” says: Just Do It!
Thank you for your kind words,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Donna,
Awesome information! It is the ability to continue with your plan when all your negative energy surfaces that allows you to move past that and get what you want in life. Thanks!
Andy
Hey Andy, I have been doing a lot of work with my clients on this subject. So I decided to post the “baby steps” to do one simple action.
Thanks for visiting,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Twitter: AdrienneSmith40
February 10, 2012 at 8:29 pm #
Oh Donna, I love this post and this message.
I use to have some of those same thoughts in my head even though I knew they did me more harm then good. It was so very hard to stay positive when you are working your little butt off and still not seeing the results. I can sympathize with people when it comes to that.
Like you mentioned here though, set one little goal and work toward that until you complete it. It’s a wonderful feeling when you’ve accomplished something that you know will take you a step further. From there keep going and with persistence and consistency, things will eventually fall into place. I know a lot of times you still feel like you’re just turning your wheels but just “KNOW” the end result will be what you want.
You’ll find yourself rounding that corner and you’ll run right into it. Now that’s a great feeling! 🙂
Have a beautiful weekend Donna.
~Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..How To Get Others To Build Your Links
Thank you Adrienne for your wonderful input. We all have those thoughts in our head and when we come to realize them and face them, we win. Taking action is another thing. Fighting that thought and setting up one small goal, completing it, and checking it off your list does wonders!
Thanks for visiting,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
thanks for this article Donna!
Re-framing our inner talk is the 1st step to regaining confidence.. the problem is that replay this negative disc unconsciously!
W hat i do with small goals is write down the positive results I will have when the goal is achieved, write down consciously what I say to myself when the goal is mine and then create a small daily plan as you suggest.
I’ll be waiting to read more of your articles, great stuff as always.
I do the same thing Patricia!
I love to check off those things on my list. Sometimes I reward myself with a chocolate covered coffee bean!
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Hi Donna, This was a fabulous read!. I love the simplicity but powerful message you have going today ;)… I just started to read “The Slight Edge” by Jeff Olson and right from the first pages we are reminded that:
What’s easy to do is also easy not to do… Thanks for your great inspirational and helpful post! ~ Nathalie
Thanks Nathalie! I love that saying “What’s easy to do is easy not to do” Have to write that down on a post it! A Great reminder! Thanks for your input,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Very true, small goals lead to even bigger goals. You will gain confidence. Remember to always feel good towards achieving any goal. Just feel good and it will come.
Hi and Welcome Jacob. You are absolutely correct when you say “Just feel good and it will come.” That’s the Law of Attraction!
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Hi Donna, I am a big fan of Steven Pressfield and one of the things he talks about is the negative thoughts talking us out of something. the more important it is to us, the more likely they are to try and talk us out of doing it!
Love the tips for preventing slipping 🙂
Hi Sarah, I call negative thoughts the “critic in our minds” It is always there talking us out of this or that, but once identified, and realized, we can start that battle and WIN!
Thanks for visiting,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Hi Donna,
Great words to live by today and every day! You are so right that the negative things we tell ourselves create those habits that stop us from being disciplined! So true! As someone who has dealt with depression and fibromyalgia most of my life, I fight these “negative demons” in my head all the time. I have found as you point out, that even the smallest act of positive forward motion, brings reward, builds on itself and makes me want to stay more focused on doing that thing again, to create success. It works.
Thanks so much
Laura Morris
Laura Morris recently posted..The Comfort and Relief of “Mailbox Money” During a Life Crisis
Thank you for visiting. I see that you have fought your “demons” with depression and fibromyalgia. I understand quite well those “demons” in the mind. I call it the “critic” in my mind. Once understood, when the critic starts talking in my head, I understand it is a thought from a negative part of my life. ONLY a thought. So I turn it around and Give Myself a positive thought. I understand how the negative can bring you down so low that it effects your mental and physical being.
But…from each drag down comes a lesson.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
You read my mind. I think I am going to have “slipping into overwhelm” printed on a t-shirt! Never enough time in a day… always something you want to change in retrospect… argh!
But you’re right, it’s totally self-defeating. Thanks for the words of wisdom, I’m going to accomplish one small, but meaningful thing right now 🙂
Carol Lynn Rivera recently posted..5-Minute SEO: Learn How To Choose Kick-A$$ Keywords In Less Time Than It Takes To Drink Your Morning Coffee
Awesome Carol Lynn, and please don’t even THINK about “slipping into overwhelm” Rather turn it around to the positive words so you won’t give your mind that suggestion.
How about a T Shirt that says “I overcame being overwhelmed” That is a good mantra don’t you think?
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Such an inspiring text! I totally agree with you, setting up smaller goals can heal our broken self-confidence. I’ve never preferred big resolutions, because I’ve felt always disappointed when I couldn’t realize them. I think the best way is to reach big goals to make small resolutions, almost baby-steps. And after the first baby-step the next one will be easier.
Catwoman recently posted..fogpótlás
Absolutely Catwoman, Baby steps is the way to go. It is re assurance to the building blocks of our self confidence. When our goals are too big, or our time is too small, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. Yes, after the first baby step, the next will be easier.
Thanks for your input,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?
Hi Donna,
That is a great key to make small victories feel good. We all have a motivation to feel good…..feel good about ourselves. -Stephen
Stephen Peters recently posted..How To Get More Money – Get Out of Your Own Way
Hi Stephen, Yes those small victories do make us feel good. It does, however take some motivation. Once a tiny task is accomplished, it reinforces us to take the next step. Baby steps are the component here.
Blessings,
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Why is Self-discipline important to your Business?