Have I ever heard the following idea: "Successful people do things regularly, and unsuccessful people do things occasionally." And it is totally true, success does not depend only on the things you do, but on the frequency and perseverance with which you do them. So if you are not getting the results you want in some area of your life - health, relationships, career, family or finances - you may be doing the right thing, but not with the consistency that will allow you to make a difference.
Writing your life resume
When we try to achieve a change in our life we must think long term; nothing of value is accomplished without continual effort. We usually try things a couple of times and then give up because the new strategies - a new diet, a new exercise routine, a new way of organizing the earrings - didn't "work" for us. Changes are processes that take time and repetition, if you really want to develop a new behavior or create a new habit you need to commit to doing it for at least 3 months (because it takes 21 consecutive days of repetition and more or less they are achieved in that time), and it is until then that you can start to see the results and decide if it is working or not. After this period you can narrow your goals up to 6 months or 1 year.
When you prepare your professional resume, it is recommended not to include projects, jobs or efforts that have spanned a period of less than one year. Why? Because it speaks a lot about your formality and commitment. In the same way, when proposing any project, what is going to add the most to your sense of achievement is what you can sustain for periods of 1 year; It is not the same to say: "I have not smoked for a few months" to say "I have completed 1 year of giving up the habit"; "I've been exercising for a few months" to "I've been swimming 2 times a week for 1 year."
The power of 1 year is huge. It really makes you feel different and is a good indicator of success on a personal and professional level. Not only does it influence the perception of the people around you; Its influence transcends your identity and your self-concept, generating a strong effect on your confidence and your sense of competence that will allow you to pursue ever greater challenges.
Ways to strengthen self-discipline
Strengthening your self-discipline will give you the power to transform your life by allowing you to focus your energy and attention on the things that really are important for the development of your potential and for your personal fulfillment. You can do it in 3 ways:
- With perseverance: By applying a recurring effort, the number of times necessary to achieve the results we seek. Athletes and musicians are a clear example of this quality. Developing the ability to resist distractions and temptations: think of small tests -such as resisting a craving or reading instead of watching TV-, even larger ones -like running a marathon., or finish a course - will help you temper your willpower for the biggest challenges you will face in your life.Not giving up: Despite not seeing results soon, despite failures and setbacks, the ability to return to standing up and maintaining the presence of spirit is crucial to building success.
In his book "The Power of Discipline" Brian Tracy translates the principle of discipline as "doing what has to be done, when it has to be done, regardless of whether you want to do it or not." In the short term, the development of self-discipline can generate resistance and discomfort and even a little anxiety (it is normal when you leave a comfort zone and seek growth); But in the long run, nothing will compare to the pride and happiness that comes from meeting the goals you set for yourself. After all, what do you prefer to deal with pounds of discipline or tons of regret?
Sources:
- AThe power of Discipline author Brian Tracy.Will Power and Self-Discipline author Remez Sasson.
