According to Wikipedia, to discipline means to instruct a person to follow a particular code of conduct, or to adhere to a certain "order." Self-discipline refers to the training that one gives one's self to accomplish a certain task or to adopt a particular pattern of behavior, even though one would really rather be doing something else. For example, denying oneself of an extravagant pleasure in order to accomplish a more demanding charitable deed. Thus, self-discipline is the assertion of willpower over more basic desires, and is usually understood to be a synonym of 'self control'. Self-discipline is to some extent a substitute for motivation, when one uses reason to determine a best course of action that opposes one's desires.
To develop self discipline, it helps to understand who you are, your strengths and weaknesses. Why, because when you understand that it is easy for you to overcome or control your weaknesses by and through exercises your strengths; you will truly discovered the discipline that works for you. Certainly we all have distinguished ourselves by acting out of control at various times, but these failings do not have to become a habit. Establishing a standard of behavior for which you will identify as responsible and worthy of repeatability provides the defining motivation for every action you conduct.
Since self discipline is a contributory element to the accomplishment of leading oneself, you must decide the level of behavior to exhibit that is within the range of your personal standards. To define what that range is, make a list of the twenty personal behaviors you are disgusted with being around and that others have subjected you to. Now list the twenty behaviors that you feel defines who you are to other people and are worthy of assisting you with developing your personal standards. If any of the first list appear on the other list—do some self evaluating on these. Here is the final test of on these lists, have a very good friend that you trust to review your final list and request that they comment on its content and add to it any actions or behaviors not on the list. Your friend will be honest with you if you ask him or her to help you with this task.
Self discipline is a hand-in-glove approach with personal mastery because it drives one’s character toward continuous development and modification through life experiences. This process is the molding and shaping of our being by exercising willpower and self control over negative influences, while stimulating motivation to advance our future advances in learning and life events.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Personal Mastery 4 U
Since we have already talked about what personal mastery is, let’s discuss why it is important. Understanding oneself and what it is you stand for is important to your future direction in life and to the people you will influence. If you are uncertain and void of knowledge regarding how you will respond to adversity and obstacles, reading about how people generally function under duress and difficult situations would be appropriate behavior. Preparation is the key to knowing, not guessing. Practicing is the understanding that it provides. Potential is what others see in our personal mastery.
How do we prepare? I have mentioned part of this already. There are many quality personality instruments that have stood the test of time which can assist with directing your path. Other instruments that can identify how you work best and with whom you work best. There are many professional career planners available to assist you with these. And yes, many books have been written on this preparation topic that is available for use. I would strongly recommend selecting one from an author associated with an academic institution in order to be assured of receiving credible information. Lastly, find a mentor that you hold in high esteem that illustrates in his/her own actions the importance of preparation for life.
Without the proper attitude and actions in which to prepare and practice, achieving potential will be extremely difficult. But when you know and are prepared, your life can go anywhere you want to take it.
How do we prepare? I have mentioned part of this already. There are many quality personality instruments that have stood the test of time which can assist with directing your path. Other instruments that can identify how you work best and with whom you work best. There are many professional career planners available to assist you with these. And yes, many books have been written on this preparation topic that is available for use. I would strongly recommend selecting one from an author associated with an academic institution in order to be assured of receiving credible information. Lastly, find a mentor that you hold in high esteem that illustrates in his/her own actions the importance of preparation for life.
Without the proper attitude and actions in which to prepare and practice, achieving potential will be extremely difficult. But when you know and are prepared, your life can go anywhere you want to take it.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Leading Oneself
Since this is the beginning post, I want to say “Thank You” for your readership and comments.
The two components of this title, leading oneself, are personal mastery and self discipline. Just what do they mean? I have heard many times that in order to help another, you must be on higher ground. To lead or help another it is paramount that you must first be prepared for this task.
Having personal mastery, which is generally identified as a continuous learning process whereby a person increases their self worth and understanding of what they believe in. This process does not always look the same for every person; our journeys are all different. How do we find the information that we need to have personal mastery? We collect it along the way from those people, institutions, and circumstances that help shape our value and belief systems, which also includes the books we read. Maybe that is how the saying “Readers are Leaders” was started. Yes, we can even learn from those who are no longer with us.
In order to develop self discipline, it helps to understand who you are. The case for viewing personal mastery and self discipline as a hand-in-glove approach has promise. Once you understand that your environment (whether you agree with it or not) orders the societal norm from which you are expected to act, it is easy to conform one’s actions into the processes of living. Who then creates these societal norms, why of course, you and I do throughout our everyday living—then the court system and Congress debates the people’s will and precedents’ decisions, which in turn describes an expected behavior and punishment from nonconforming behavior. Keeping oneself in a measure of control does produce that expected behavior or self discipline in tune with our environment and other people.
As each of us moves further on the achievement continuum, it seems as though it is easier to help another one who has much further to ascend. So, the balance of personal mastery and self discipline are contributory to the accomplishment of leading oneself. And without these tools of life is it possible that all we achieve is a denial state of misunderstanding and malcontented behavior? Again, these tools are available to those who seek them, but each takes a measure of work and interest to obtain.
The two components of this title, leading oneself, are personal mastery and self discipline. Just what do they mean? I have heard many times that in order to help another, you must be on higher ground. To lead or help another it is paramount that you must first be prepared for this task.
Having personal mastery, which is generally identified as a continuous learning process whereby a person increases their self worth and understanding of what they believe in. This process does not always look the same for every person; our journeys are all different. How do we find the information that we need to have personal mastery? We collect it along the way from those people, institutions, and circumstances that help shape our value and belief systems, which also includes the books we read. Maybe that is how the saying “Readers are Leaders” was started. Yes, we can even learn from those who are no longer with us.
In order to develop self discipline, it helps to understand who you are. The case for viewing personal mastery and self discipline as a hand-in-glove approach has promise. Once you understand that your environment (whether you agree with it or not) orders the societal norm from which you are expected to act, it is easy to conform one’s actions into the processes of living. Who then creates these societal norms, why of course, you and I do throughout our everyday living—then the court system and Congress debates the people’s will and precedents’ decisions, which in turn describes an expected behavior and punishment from nonconforming behavior. Keeping oneself in a measure of control does produce that expected behavior or self discipline in tune with our environment and other people.
As each of us moves further on the achievement continuum, it seems as though it is easier to help another one who has much further to ascend. So, the balance of personal mastery and self discipline are contributory to the accomplishment of leading oneself. And without these tools of life is it possible that all we achieve is a denial state of misunderstanding and malcontented behavior? Again, these tools are available to those who seek them, but each takes a measure of work and interest to obtain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)