How to Be More DISCIPLINED - Ways to Master Self Control

Summary

In this video, June Yu delves into the essence of discipline, highlighting its importance over motivation and inspiration. Discipline involves doing tasks despite not feeling like it and staying committed to goals long after initial enthusiasm fades. Yu provides practical tips, such as prioritizing meaningful goals, creating an external accountability system, cultivating a supportive environment, and valuing consistency over perfection. He emphasizes the necessity of showing up for oneself consistently and rewarding disciplined actions to maintain motivation. The video offers a comprehensive guide to developing and maintaining discipline in various aspects of life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Discipline is the act of doing things we don't always feel like doing, staying committed to promises even when the initial emotions have faded.
• 🔑 Motivation and inspiration are based on emotions, which naturally ebb and flow, making them unreliable for maintaining long-term discipline.
• 💪 Discipline involves showing up for oneself, even during times of fatigue, frustration, or failure, and is crucial for realizing one's full potential.
• 🎯 Prioritizing goals is essential for discipline; it involves asking hard questions about the meaning and impact of each goal on one's life.
• 🔄 Accountability is a twin to discipline, and an external system, like journaling or using notes, can help maintain discipline over time.
• 👥 Creating a supportive environment, both intangible with positive people and tangible with an organized space, is crucial for fostering discipline.
• 🚫 Avoid the trap of perfectionism; instead, focus on consistency as the key to long-term success and personal growth.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The example of the gym illustrates the importance of showing up consistently, even with less effort, over pushing oneself too hard and potentially burning out.
• 📈 Start with small, consistent actions and build up, understanding that quality will emerge from the quantity of work done over time.
• 🏆 Rewarding oneself for disciplined actions provides positive feedback and motivation to continue on the path of discipline.
• 📝 The speaker, June, emphasizes the importance of external validation as a starting point for internal validation, which in turn reinforces discipline.

Q & A

What is the simplest definition of discipline according to the video?

The simplest definition of discipline is doing the things we don't want to do, and staying committed to our promises long after the emotions that initially set those promises have subsided.

How does discipline differ from motivation and inspiration according to the script?

Discipline goes beyond motivation and inspiration. While motivation and inspiration are based on emotions that naturally ebb and flow, discipline is about showing up for oneself even when one doesn't feel like it, and it is more enduring.

What is the importance of prioritizing goals in building discipline?

Prioritizing goals is important for building discipline because it helps to focus on specific areas of life and prevents spreading oneself too thin, which is crucial for establishing the level of discipline needed for success.

How does the speaker define an external system of accountability?

An external system of accountability is a method or tool used to keep oneself accountable for discipline over time. The speaker uses Apple notes and journaling as examples of external systems that help track progress and maintain discipline.

What is the significance of creating a supportive environment for discipline?

Creating a supportive environment is significant for discipline because it reduces distractions and temptations, and fosters a space conducive to success. This includes both intangible aspects like positive relationships and tangible aspects like an organized workspace.

Why should one value consistency over perfection in the context of discipline?

Consistency is valued over perfection because the fixation on perfection can be a limiting factor and a barrier to making progress. Consistency ensures that one continues to show up and make efforts, even when not at their best, which is more beneficial in the long run.

What is the role of rewards in maintaining discipline as discussed in the video?

Rewards play a crucial role in maintaining discipline by providing positive feedback for successful disciplined actions. This helps to reinforce the behavior and motivate continued discipline.

How does the speaker suggest one can initiate a positive environment if they feel they are surrounded by negativity?

The speaker suggests initiating conversations and being the spark in one's group to take the future seriously. If the energy isn't reciprocated, it's valuable to spend time alone and cultivate positive thoughts rather than being constantly around negativity.

What are the 'three internal wins' the speaker mentions as part of their external system of accountability?

The 'three internal wins' are non-negotiables for the speaker, which include mental wins, physical wins, and spiritual wins. These are areas they hold themselves accountable for daily to ensure progress and maintain discipline.

How does the speaker use journaling as part of their discipline routine?

The speaker uses journaling to reflect on their non-negotiables and ask themselves if they were successful in those areas. It serves as a tool for self-awareness and helps in maintaining discipline by allowing them to recognize and bounce back from failures.

What is the speaker's advice on dealing with the fear of judgment, failure, or embarrassment in the pursuit of discipline?

The speaker advises prioritizing consistency over perfection to deal with such fears. By focusing on showing up every day rather than achieving perfection, one can overcome the fear of judgment, failure, or embarrassment and make true progress.