The Pyramid of Self-Discipline

Let’s see how you can use the Pyramid of Self-Discipline.

1.  Goal setting
First off, to cultivate discipline we need to start with something small.
For example, imagine you struggle with discipline at work.
And imagine you also struggle a bit with staying disciplined in going to the gym.
But for you, staying disciplined in the gym is easier than at work.
Easier, not easy.
So, if I were I you, I would start with cultivating discipline in the gym.
Even if your goal is becoming more disciplined at work.
Why?
Because it doesn’t matter “where” you cultivate discipline.
You just need to cultivate it.
And it’s easier starting in an area where you’re a bit more comfortable.

So, if I were you I would set a goal for the gym.

For example
→  I’ll work out in the gym 3 times per week
→  And I’ll do it for the next 16 weeks

2.  Time & Energy Management

You can’t imagine how many people ask me:
→  How can you stay so disciplined?

What they don’t see is how I manage my time and energy.

So, if you wanna achieve that gym goal:
→  Allocate your time properly (e.g., 6 pm – 7 pm)
→  Make sure you’ve got enough energy to do that

3.  Consistency
A big part of being disciplined is cultivating habits and routines around it.
And I don’t care if someone says that “having routines is bad”.
Or if they say “we need to give variety to our lives”.

Sports taught me that having routines:
→  Simplifies our lives
→  Keeps mental clarity
→  And helps us stay focused on one thing.

So, make sure to cultivate habits and routines around your goal.
4.  Resilience
To be disciplined we need to embrace setbacks.
There are no shortcuts here.
So, be ready to learn from every challenge you face.

One example?

Well, instead of going to the gym:
→  You’ll come back home
→  Sit on your couch
→  And watch Netflix

And you’ll skip the gym.
Well, we can learn a lot from that “setback”, right?
It’s not the end of the world.
It’s just a lesson that has decided to knock on the door.

And the lesson is:
→  Don’t sit down on the couch after work — grab your bag and head to the gym.

5.  Self-control
Mastering your impulses plays a crucial role in staying disciplined.

One thing you can do when you feel you’re losing your discipline is this:
→  Take 10 deep breaths
→  Bring to mind your goal and your “why”
→  Bring to mind the risks of straying from your goal and “why”