How do I solve the tautology of self-discipline?

Question

An explanation: All techniques to build self-discipline that I have come across, all exercises and such, all have the same problem. They all seem to require you to *already have the self-discipline you're looking for.* I keep asking "how do I do this?" or "how do I not cave in?" and at some point, everybody ends up telling me "just DO it" or "you do it by doing it" - a piece of advice that I find about as useful as "you fly by flying." It's a brick wall that I keep coming up against. Maybe (probably) it's "just" a mental thing, but I don't know how to change my thought patterns either. There has to be SOME way around it - or is it already too late for me to back out of this dead end? What's the matter with me? And what's the solution?

Answer 1

I agree with "dt" that there is an emotional component to it. You have to make it a priority and you also need a handle on the defeatism that's keeping you from attempting to tackle the tasks where you find you're undisciplined. Mental imagery might be helpful if you're primarily a mental person. Imagining yourself relentlessly completing task after task without distraction. If you're primarily an emotional person then you need to unlock some closed doors in your emotional past that may be painful, and even scary, to open that are hindering your growth as an adult. They can't harm you now and so to re-visit some past experiences and re-evaluate them may be invigorating. Just don't give up. We have all the answers we need inside our own heads. Free association may also be helpful. Like I said before, make it a priority and determination and persistence will eventually pay off.

Answer 2

this might help. others have advice that if followed would make you a successful person. but you cant do these things because your heart isn't into it.

obviously you want to build self discipline. this is a want that has come from somewhere. ask yourself when you first wanted this and why, and you will probably find the emotional reason you want to build self discipline.

most things you want orriginally come from weird resoning in your childhood, if you can unravel your thinking at this age and change it to better accomplish tasks at your current age you have gained self discipline and changed your thinking.

sometimes self discipline comes from some emotional thinking. if you were poor as a kid then as an adult you suffer because of this. you can channel that pain into the self discipline to become rich.

hopefully some of this helps.

Answer 3

Yes I quit smoking after 40 years smoking. Have not smoked for 20 months now.

Answer 4

ha ha that's a good point i have the same problem and its probably one of the hardest to fix because in order to solve it you actually need what you are looking for
like procrastination i want to quit but i keep putting it off

Answer 5

You do fly by flying. Why do you think people tell you to just do it? Because that is how it is done. Keep looking for some secret remedy for you problem and watch life pass you by.