# Transforming a Mundane Existence into a Self-Disciplined Life
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Chapter 1: Embracing Consistency
Once, I was just an ordinary individual, often referred to by friends as Mr. Consistency. They frequently commented on my discipline, yet that wasn’t always my reality. Up until 2012, I led a rather undisciplined life. I could muster the effort for difficult tasks temporarily or for easier tasks over extended periods, but mostly, I acted on impulse.
Indulging in sweets was common for me, and my productivity at work was less than stellar. I would often procrastinate, lacking any significant drive. Ironically, I never consciously aimed to be disciplined; it emerged as a byproduct of my actions rather than a defined goal.
The internet is flooded with advice on how to build self-discipline, which can be overwhelming. But here’s how to turn a mundane life into one characterized by self-discipline using just two fundamental strategies.
Section 1.1: The Power of Habits
Today, I am perceived as a disciplined individual. The measure of self-discipline is straightforward: it is the ability to follow through on your commitments. I adhere to numerous daily routines, from hydrating after my morning workout to writing a minimum of 600 words each day.
Remarkably, over 80% of my resolutions have become automatic habits. I don’t consciously decide to write every day; that choice was made long ago, and it has now morphed into a habit.
The primary obstacle to forming habits is not the absence of willpower, but rather a lack of understanding. Believing you need extraordinary willpower to stick to daily practices is a misconception.
How much willpower is required to drink a glass of water? Virtually none.
How about doing a single push-up? Again, not much.
Of course, there are moments when willpower is necessary, such as after consuming a large amount of water or completing an intense workout.
The Right Trigger
A significant portion of habit formation relies on creating favorable circumstances. Choosing the right trigger for your habit influences about 80% of its effectiveness. One of the most reliable triggers for new habits is pre-existing ones. Waking up is a universal trigger for most of us.
Every morning, the act of waking up prompts me to head to the bathroom. After that, it leads me to my morning workout, which is followed by drinking a glass of water and checking my weight.
The need for willpower in this sequence is minimal.
To further ease the process, I prepare in advance and utilize visual reminders. For instance, I keep a glass in a designated spot, making it accessible as I move from my bedroom. The scale resides in my bathroom, making it easy to step on it right after drinking water.
Start with the End in Mind
I transitioned from struggling with habit formation to thriving within about two months. The catalyst for this change was the decision to take charge of my life.
Many self-help experts would criticize my vague goal of wanting to “do something with my life.” While having specific, measurable goals can be beneficial, it is essential to first establish a general direction.
Even a broad aspiration can ignite motivation and help overcome the initial hurdle of self-discipline.
Consider this: how much willpower does it take to perform one or ten push-ups? At first glance, the difference appears significant. Yet, once you initiate the process of exercising, the barrier becomes minimal.
The most resistance typically arises at the beginning, often stemming from internal doubts.
“We generally change ourselves for one of two reasons: inspiration or desperation.” — Jim Rohn
In my experience, early changes stemmed from desperation rather than inspiration. Desperation connects closely to your current situation, shaped by past choices and circumstances.
Desperate Extrapolation
I decided to alter my life because I was generally dissatisfied, especially regarding my family's financial situation.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels.com.
At that time, I earned two average salaries. With minimal financial support, we had to build our financial foundation from the ground up. Eight years into my career, we owned a modest apartment and a decade-old car, while our mortgage and student loan payments consumed about 15% of our income.
We struggled to save even 2-5% of our income monthly, as those savings were often depleted by unexpected expenses.
Although I was unhappy with various aspects of my life, it was the financial difficulties that prompted me to take action. Once I established a goal, I needed to devise daily practices to help achieve it.
Realizing that business ownership was key to financial independence led me to pursue personal development rather than formal studies in economics.
Rohn’s wisdom, “Income seldom exceeds personal development,” resonated with me, prompting me to focus on self-improvement.
In the early months, I read extensively and engaged with various audio resources, including personal finance literature that helped improve our situation. I also worked on overcoming shyness, speed reading, and learning German, among other disciplines.
I took initiative and began to act.
Chapter 2: Riding the Bicycle of Transformation
As my vision for transformation solidified, I recognized that “Harnessing the Power of Habits” and “Starting with the End in Mind” are like the two wheels of a bicycle. Both must function well to propel you forward; if one is misaligned, progress becomes challenging, and if one is obstructed, it is virtually impossible.
Daily reading and reflection fueled my journey. I began crafting my personal mission statement and discovered my aspiration to become a writer.
My vague goal of wanting to do something meaningful evolved into a clear intention: I wanted to write.
It took me a couple of months to realize that writing is what defines a writer. Hence, I adopted writing as a daily habit.
Both elements—goals and habits—are essential for developing self-discipline. The motivation must stem from within. Initially, I sought to change my life, then I aspired to be a writer. This desire was mine, not influenced by external expectations.
Habits represent the discipline required to achieve your goals. My daily routines guided me from a nebulous dream to a more defined objective.
Your aspirations and habits are interconnected; neglecting one can make self-discipline feel elusive.
More Insights from My Journey
Initially, I thought I would write fiction in Polish and began crafting short stories. However, I soon realized my lack of experience would require years of practice to excel in that genre.
Consequently, I shifted my focus to how-to nonfiction in personal development, motivated by encouraging feedback from friends reading my blog.
This shift led to writing books, and I began to see success and hone my writing skills. I launched a blog and two years later, started contributing to Quora. This evolution necessitated new writing, editing, and marketing disciplines.
Throughout this journey, personal development remained my priority, and I continued to adopt various daily habits in multiple areas of my life.
I never set out to be self-disciplined, but after years of “pedaling my bike,” I found myself becoming so.
Identify something that genuinely matters to you. Develop one to three daily actions that move you closer to that goal. Commit to these practices every day, and you will begin your journey toward a self-disciplined life.
“An immediate reward for lack of discipline is a fun day at the beach. A future reward of discipline is owning the beach.” — Jim Rohn
Photo by Maria Isabella Bernotti from Pexels.com.
Thanks to my newfound self-discipline, by September 2018, I could afford weekly vacations in Crete with my wife, and we have returned to Greece multiple times since.
Explore the mindset needed to cultivate self-discipline through this insightful video: How to Build Self-Discipline: The Mindset Method.
Learn practical strategies to enhance self-discipline in this engaging video: How to Increase Self Discipline (7 strategies and tips).