Need a Boost in Personal Discipline? I Do. Here are Five Easy Ways to Boost Our Personal Discipline Right Now.

Can you recall that feeling, that emotional rush that comes just after completing a difficult task or large project? That moment of internal gratification that shouts, I Did It!  Look at what I did! Oh, I miss that feeling, and yet I am seeking it right now.

I’m struggling with maintaining the energy and discipline necessary for completing important tasks and goals. Do my woes sound familiar to you, right now? Then let’s get back on track, and boost our personal discipline right now.

To get back on track, I am returning to five fundamental truths for improving personal discipline.  What makes them a fundamental truth?  Each is comprised of good old common sense, each has stood the test of time, and each is easy to apply right now. Then tell me whether these fundamental truths improved your personal discipline. If not, tell me about it? I’d like your help to improve my personal discipline.   

1. In the morning, hand write a list of daily tasks and objectives.

• By handwriting a list, we are taking control of our day. We’re announcing to ourselves and to the world what our priorities are, as well as, making a commitment to complete our list. Also, we are engaging our minds to begin the process of problem solving on each tasks. By making a list, we are putting into motion conscious and unconscious processes that will begin to work on each task. Consider this a boost in time efficiency.
  
  
• Now double the boost by returning to your list throughout the day. Cross-off each task you’ve completed. Then, take a moment to savor the internal gratification that comes with completing each task. I do enjoy this feeling. Psychologists have shown that these two simple steps can improve motivation and energy essential for personal discipline. 

2. Do the tough stuff first. 

• In the morning, after you write your list of daily tasks and objectives, tackle the toughest project first. Chances are this may also be the project that we least want to tackle. In the morning, many of us have more energy, and thus, are more likely to be disciplined. So let’s use our energy wisely and go after the tough stuff first. We can save the afternoon lull to accomplish more remedial tasks, such as emails, and phone calls.

3. Tell another person about daily tasks and objectives.

• By telling another person about what we are going to accomplish, we are making a verbal commitment to our personal plan: a verbal contract with ourselves. This simple step increases the likelihood that we will accomplish our objectives.To boost the strength of your plan,  ask another person to checkup on your progress.  By engaging another person in the process, we increase our accountability and are more likely to be successful in completing our objectives. So tell a friend about your plan, and gain support for personal discipline.

4. See what you are going to achieve.

• This a great step for bigger projects, after all, if you can’t see what you aim to accomplish, then how will you know what the finish project will look like?  A good technique for seeing your accomplishment is to post a photograph that represents your project. I recommend posting photos on your bathroom mirror since you probably visit the bathroom throughout the day. Each time you see the photo it will remind you of your objective. You can also use mental imagery to see and feel what the outcome of your project will be like. By revisiting a posted photo or by using mental imagery, you can boost your motivation for personal discipline.

5. Drink caffeinated drinks.

• Empirical evidence has well demonstrated that caffeinated drinks boost cognitive function, mood, and energy metabolism. Unless you cannot consume caffeine due to personal or health reasons, then consider learning how to use caffeine wisely.
  
  
• For example, my friend Jane realized that morning coffee wasn’t benefiting her. She already had plenty of energy to complete her morning tasks. But by the afternoon, she was out energy.  Jane now enjoys two cups of coffee a day: once after lunch, and then again at 4:00. By willing to experiment, Jane found that by having coffee in the afternoon she is easily able to maintain her energy, her productivity and disciplined through the day. So experiment. Find what works for you and keep you energy for personal discipline going.

I hope these five easy steps help you improve your personal discipline. This is Dr. Dean, helping you keep it easy. Now what are you going to accomplish today?