How do you impose a little self discipline when you have certain expectations or goals to meet? I often think that good old fashioned "discipline" is the best friend for achieving positive results. You may find this post a little odd, but please bear with me, I do not mean to come on too harshly. I am not here to scold or reprimand you. This is about your own self-discipline.Why is it that self discipline has become a thing of the past? Today, there seems to be a softness permeating our society, no rules, no bed-time, no curfew, and no punishment for bad behavior. I am speaking on behalf of the value of the virtue of self discipline and the fact that when one has imposed values and standards to live by, one can produce positive outcomes.
Do you value self discipline and structure or do you prefer imposed guidelines? How do you coach or guide yourself to be on your best behavior when you are trying to ascertain a goal or accomplish a project?
Here is a list of reminders, feel free to add yours to the list by leaving a comment, is there a self discipline you are working on perfecting?
Floss
Take your vitamins
Make that Dr. appt.
Exercise
Recycle
Feed the meter
Obey the speed limit
Drive phone free
No texting while driving, please
Read more books
Use your coupons before they expire
Be on time
Volunteer
Challenge yourself
Dedicate yourself to a worthy cause
Get to bed on time
Don't be late
Pay your late fees
Eat your vegetables
Wear your seat belt
Look both ways
Do not interrupt
Wash your hands
Make your bed
Leave a comment (The list is additional comments from "disicplined commenters")
Limit computer time
Say Please and Thank-you
Hold the door open
30 comments:
Excellent post.
Mine would be:
Say "Please" and "Thank You"
Always send a Thank You note
Hold the door open for the next person
Smile alot
Don't do it because you have to; do it because you want to.
Cari-
Thank-you. I had a hard time pushing the publish button for I feared I might offend. It was not meant as a scolding but merely a reminder to look at our own rules and how we can so easily bend them.
pve
Purple Flowers-
Yes, holding the door open is such a kind gesture.
pve
Amen! Entitlement and a closed eye are the worst things we can pass along (to ourselves and our young ones). It takes strength to say no and follow through, or to say yes and do the same!
I love your list and comments from your other readers.
Emily-
Amen is right, and you as a Mother must know firsthand that we need to lead by example. Self-discipline can take an adjustment, but when one is given the challenge, it can be positively rewarding.
pve
I'm working on "being off the computer when my husband & kids get home" each day!
I do alot of computer work and it's hard to not have the temptation to check the computer "one more time"!
I think you summed it up.
xo xo
Thanks for this post & love your list & the added ones. Would maybe add the need to be disciplined about shopping/ purchases. (unless I missed it)
I might need to write them all down to focus on them... I have to work really hard to keep the house neat/clean... It doesn't come naturally (in fact I abhor cleaning)but I'm really only relaxed when it feels good so it's something we have to be disciplined about.
Speaking of.. time to work & stop reading blogs! hahaha
big hug & talk to you soon,
lauren
great post! i struggle with the fact that i have very little self-discipline on a daily basis. i'm trying to get better about it, but i may need to post this list on my fridge as a nice reminder :)
PVE,
Great to review this list often. Even post permantely on your blog. I think this is a fabulous list.
My additions are:
Say your prayers/count your blessings
Honor your word
Make lists and stick with it
Follow through and follow up
Cheers!
Bette
I couldn't agree more. They did a study showing that children who could delay gratification (the root of most self-discipline) do better on the SATs.
Self-discipline, and consideration for others, is at at the heart of the good part of WASP culture.
Well said. Working on going to church, exercise, and working disipline more into my children's lives. It can be so hard. But you have given me a gentle reminder I must try to find some balance...disiplined balance. --Gretchen O.
Excellent post. I find I have to make lists, what to do today, what to do tomorrow, etc. I also have a "long term project" list and another list of things I know I should do to make me feel better, i.e. walk everyday, lights out by midnight, etc. So, I'd add to your list, READ my lists everyday and do some of what's on them!!!!
Susan
I find that if I do things at a certain time in the day it really helps. Make the bed as soon as you get out of it, for example.
Clean as you cook, then the mess isn't so overwhelming at the end.
Welcome the new neighbors with a list of all the placed they'll need and may not know: bakery, lawn care, dry cleaners, repair man, cleaning service, etc...Someone did this for me when I moved to Charlotte (and a bottle of wine and a cicken pot pie!)
xo, Elizabeth
OH PVE I like this post! I have great self-disipline for many things, but there are items on your list where I must admit to being a total slacker!
Be gracious! Remember to try and not pass judgement on others, especially those you have never met. Oh, and always clean up after your dog!!!
You've hit the nail on the head here...please don't worry about offending, our society's "softness" I believe is why children today are so lost, and adults too...this is a much needed message.
I'm trying to think of a discipline that hasn't been added...probably keeping myself on a set time schedule...I work partly from home and staying on task can be challenging for me...especially since having discovered blogging! ;)
Don't put things off! And always say "Thank You."
How about "Listen" and "Think before you speak"! There are a lot of misunderstandings that arise because people don't take the time to put themselves in other peoples' shoues.
Don't complain.
xx great reminders, PVE!
I'm with Cari on "Always send a Thank You note" -- so important and sadly mine are more often than not tardy. What a nice, friendly reminder this post is, Patricia. Not harsh at all : )
xx Katie
I have a habit of taking care of everyone else and letting myself go, so to speak. I have been trying to be more disciplined in taking the time to exercise and care for my own health. Carla
Return phone calls, work or personal within 24 hours. Do NOT answer a cell phone in public. Seriously. No one wants to hear your call in the grocery store, book store, train or Metro. The Victorian's used to have a list of rules printed on the train and loud speaking was a no-no. People do not realize how loud they are on their cell phones.
I agree...I am trying to teach my children to have self discipline and not coddle them too much.I am pretty big on self discipline, I have to remember the opposite, to lighten up and relax... :)
Nathalie
Be kind even when it's hard! Love your list. You've got me thinking about all I should be doing daily. Here's for trying hard!
Hope you are having a great week.
Such a great list. I think kindness is the most important discipline.
mine is go to bed at a reasonable hour... i got your card!!! thanks a lot because it's so beautiful... will be in tomorrow's post!!!
The one I've been working on lately is Use It Up, Wear It Out; Make It Do Or Do Without. I'm especially working on finding recipes to use up the rest of the veggies I've purchased earlier in the week, instead of letting them wither and waste in the fridge.
Stay true to yoursef
Follow the golden rule of good manners - treat others as you would like to be treated.
I think refreshing people's minds of what they know they should do is fabulous.
I am just getting the hang of blogging and have a question, is it ok to direct you to a blog on the subject matter of manners? I have one, and it does talk about doing what one should to ensure a marvelous life, which is what your list of self-discipline reminds me of. So please let me know...
pve - great post. self discipline about attending to housekeeping is definitely a problem for me. Don't mind making beds or doing laundry but that's about it - really not my forte. oh well!
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