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Understanding Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is the ability to push yourself to take action regardless of how you feel physically or emotionally. It’s about making the right choices consistently, even when it’s difficult. It’s about setting standards and holding yourself accountable to them. As a career professional, self-discipline means setting and sticking to priorities, managing yourself efficiently, and holding yourself accountable for your actions and outcomes. So, how do you build self-discipline as a career professional?Make a Decision to Be Disciplined
Everything starts with a decision. You need to consciously decide to be disciplined. This means committing to it as a core value in your life. Your core values are a set of principles and beliefs you have set out for yourself to guide all your activities. Reflect on your current set of values and see where discipline fits. Make a deliberate choice to eliminate indiscipline from your lifestyle and replace it with disciplined habits.Set Clear Goals
One of the first steps to building self-discipline is setting clear, achievable goals. Without a clear destination, it’s easy to get lost in daily distractions. Start by defining what you want to achieve in your career. Break these goals into smaller, manageable tasks and set deadlines for each. For example, if you aim to become a project manager, outline the skills you need to acquire, the courses you need to take, and the projects you need to lead. Having a roadmap gives you direction and motivation to stay disciplined.Develop a Routine
When you have set goals for your career, the next thing to do is to work on establishing a daily routine to help yourself in achieving your goals. Doing this can significantly enhance your self-discipline. A routine helps you prioritize important tasks and manage yourself better. Begin each day with a clear plan, be clear about the tasks you need to complete. Allocate specific time slots for each task and stick to them.Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Identify Your Triggers
Understanding what causes you to be indisciplined is crucial. What activities or situations lead you to procrastinate or lose focus? For many, it could be the constant distraction of social media or an unorganized workspace. Take a moment to reflect on instances where you have been indisciplined. Write them down and look for patterns. You might also ask close friends, family, or colleagues for their observations on areas where you struggle with discipline.Implement Systems to Mitigate Triggers
Once you’ve identified your triggers, the next step is to put systems in place to manage or eliminate them. If your phone is a major distraction, consider using apps that limit your screen time or turn off notifications during work hours. If you’re constantly interrupted by emails, set specific times to check and respond to them. Create a dedicated workspace that is free from distractions and clutter, especially if you work remotely. Putting these systems in place will help you stay focused, especially when you’re just starting to build self-discipline.Practice Delayed Gratification
Delayed gratification is the ability to resist the temptation of an immediate reward in favour of a more valuable, long-term reward. Practising this can enhance your self-discipline. For example, instead of taking a break to watch a video or chat with a colleague, focus on completing a task first. If you need to see a video, offer it to yourself as a reward after completing your tasks. This not only boosts your productivity but also strengthens your ability to stay disciplined over time.Hold Yourself Accountable
Accountability is an important factor in building self-discipline. Take time to regularly review your progress towards your goals and reflect on your performance. Ask yourself what you did well and what needs improvement. Consider keeping a journal where you track your daily achievements and setbacks. You can share your goals and progress with a trusted friend or mentor as a way of providing yourself with external accountability.Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
Concluding Thoughts
Observe successful individuals in any field, one of the things you’ll notice that plays a significant role in their achievements is their ability to discipline themselves. You too can build the self-discipline to rise to the height you desire.Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com
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