1 Tip on how to develop Self-Discipline. What keeps you from executing your important tasks during the day?
When you don't want to do something...
At the time of greatest resistance...
Go ahead and do it anyway!
Pretty simple right? I guess you expected something more exciting to hear, but let me tell you that: it was never about motivation. Everything is discipline.
Do you also struggle to find the willpower to stay on schedule?
By far, what has worked best for me is the "DO NOT EVEN THINK" mentality. I apply this to everything from working out to indie-hacking. I feel if I don't even let my mind start reasoning about things, I get more done, because your brain will always find a "perfectly valid excuse" for you to not to do something.
- Feeling tired? It'll get better as you work, DO IT.
- Think it's already too late in the day? It's not, DO IT.
- Wanna change plans? NO. DO IT. If you still have time, do your other plan afterwards.
- Feeling down? Doesn't matter, DO IT. You'll feel better afterwards.
An example would be for cycling. Most days I don't wanna get on my bike, particularly if I'm feeling tired or if it's cold outside. But if I just get on the bike and start pedaling (not even thinking about it), soon I feel better and in no time I'll have completed a full hour for the day. Then I get that feeling of accomplishment and another check on my list.
Couldn't agree more!
Simple and straight forward.
I'm actually trying a similar approach. I ask a simple question:
"Should I do this [particular task] now?"
If the answer is yes - then I just go straight and do it - without any other second thoughts or thinking about my motivation in that particular moment.
This helps me build momentum, because once you get started you tend to continue.
That's a good one. But usually the momentum fades away after a couple of days - a week maximum.
Do you find it hard to be consistent and keep the momentum going?
My passion about the task: If its something which I'm not excited about (e.g. fixing bugs, writing docs, doing maintenance ) I feel less motivated. If its something I like doing (e.g building a new feature, read and respond to customer feedback) I feel more engaged
Hard Deadlines - Generally I take my sweet time if I have few days left but if there's something due tomorrow (at work / taxes / committed to customer) I bet I would be motivated as hell :)
Accountability: If there are quite a few folks impacted by the outcome of my task (e.g. feature rollout, comms, leading meetings) I'm more motivated. If its something that only affects me I'm not that worried
Willpower has its power and we pretty much need it. However, it is limited and will deplete. How fast depends on the person. Same for recharge.
Personally, I rather go with habits and system than by using willpower. Once they stick good enough they do not eat up any energy. Especially, i like my habit of doing the stuff i said i will do and when. Like i told myself last week i do call X today and this morning everything was primed to do the call. Even i didn't even wanted to... Didnit anyways. Felt good afterward and did not use up energy.
I 100% agree with you
100% on discipline, I also put on my airpods pro and start listening to movie soundtracks which really helped me focus and start working.
Hi @lwei , this is something I also do all the time but It really depends on the individual. Every person has a different way to get focused. But I am listening to movie and game soundtracks all the time. Do you feel you could be even more productive?
Absolutely, music without lyrics such as soundtracks works best for me, really boost my performance especially when I get tired. : )
Hi @KonstantinosChris,
I have read at multiple places that willpower doesn't work so I gave up on having any sort of willpower 😅.
What I do instead is focus on waking up super early and do everything I am supposed to do in the morning.
I only have to get motivated to wake up in the morning and the rest is not too hard. And because I have told all my friends that I wake up at 5 AM, I need to say accountable :).
@Joyancefa I never said it is about willpower - that is the thing I'm talking about. If you have the discipline to execute and the mindset behind that, you can do it easily and progress like hell.
Plus you don't have to prove anything to anyone. Many people are your friends until you trump them with your success and out of their own insecurity, they become aggressive.
There is a quote for that saying: everyone wants you to do good, but never better than them.
Remember that. Also, feel free to add me on FB, I love talking about this stuff. I might be able to help you out more in-depth on that.
@KonstantinosChris I don't see a lot of difference between "trying to have discipline" and "willpower"?
I find both hard to do unless you have a routine + a system that helps you stay accountable (and in my case, that system is my friends) :)
Thanks :). Not a good Facebook user though
This comment was deleted 5 years ago
I hope I could pin this :)