Developing Self Discipline
Developing Self Discipline
From Childhood to Adulthood
Everyday people are faced with desires and temptation. People tend to become impulsive because they cannot control their actions. Being able to have the ability to have self-control is extremely important to be self-disciplined. Self-discipline is the process of teaching yourself to do what is in your best interest to reach your goals, without becoming sidetracked by negative influences. Bear says, “Self-discipline refers to socially and morally responsible behavior that is a result of internalizing pro-social values. Self-discipline is important because it (a) promotes positive relations with others, (b) fosters academic achievement, and (c) promotes self-worth and emotional well-being. Whereas the systematic use of rewards and punishment is certainly critical in the development of self-discipline, it is not sufficient.” When you practice self-discipline you create and agree to rules set by yourself, but also created by others. By doing this you ensure successful personal improvement. Self-discipline is the product of will power. Having will power allows you to overcome obstacles that may come in your path because you are persistent in achieving the goals you have set for yourself. Will power is the strength and ability to carry out certain tasks in the manner in which you have chosen for your life. When you exercise self-discipline based on character choices you have made, you then rely on your self-discipline to kick in and handle the situation accordingly. When you are not able to effectively handle situations, you then propose the question to yourself, how important is it that I control my impulses and what are the long term consequences of my actions?
“Several decades ago, the eminent research psychologist Jack Block described people in terms of their level of “ego control” – that is, the extent to which impulses and feelings are expressed or
From Childhood to Adulthood
Everyday people are faced with desires and temptation. People tend to become impulsive because they cannot control their actions. Being able to have the ability to have self-control is extremely important to be self-disciplined. Self-discipline is the process of teaching yourself to do what is in your best interest to reach your goals, without becoming sidetracked by negative influences. Bear says, “Self-discipline refers to socially and morally responsible behavior that is a result of internalizing pro-social values. Self-discipline is important because it (a) promotes positive relations with others, (b) fosters academic achievement, and (c) promotes self-worth and emotional well-being. Whereas the systematic use of rewards and punishment is certainly critical in the development of self-discipline, it is not sufficient.” When you practice self-discipline you create and agree to rules set by yourself, but also created by others. By doing this you ensure successful personal improvement. Self-discipline is the product of will power. Having will power allows you to overcome obstacles that may come in your path because you are persistent in achieving the goals you have set for yourself. Will power is the strength and ability to carry out certain tasks in the manner in which you have chosen for your life. When you exercise self-discipline based on character choices you have made, you then rely on your self-discipline to kick in and handle the situation accordingly. When you are not able to effectively handle situations, you then propose the question to yourself, how important is it that I control my impulses and what are the long term consequences of my actions?
“Several decades ago, the eminent research psychologist Jack Block described people in terms of their level of “ego control” – that is, the extent to which impulses and feelings are expressed or
References: Bear, G. W. (2006). Developing Self-Discipline. National Association of School Psychologists, 29-44. Day, D. M. (1994). Relations Among Discipline style, child behaviour problems,and perceieved ineffectiveness as a cargegiver among parents with conduct problem children. Canadian Beahavioural Science, 520-533. Duckworth, A. S. (2006). Self Discipline gives girls the edge: Gender in Self Discipline, grades, and achievement test scores. Journal of Eduactional Psychology, 198-208. Hoffman, W. B. (2012). Everyday temptations: An experience sampling study of desire, conflict, and self-control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1318-1335. Kohn, A. (2008). Why Self Discipline is Overrated: The (Troubling) Theory and Practice of Control Within. p.168-176.