How do you become disciplined?
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Eli Watson
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Re: How do you become disciplined?
You might only be 1-2 14ers.com forum posts away from unraveling the meaning of life.
People who are hardcore don't think they're hardcore. Marshall Ulrich, Fastest Known Podcast #85
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Pcypher
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Re: How do you become disciplined?
Start slow and celebrate the little wins with being consistent. Walk for ten minutes. Then 11. Then 12. Work your way up slowly. Consistency is more important than the goal when you are changing a behavior. Good luck!!!
It’s not who you think you are that holds you back; it’s who you think you’re not.
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andreasansone
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Re: How do you become disciplined?
Ah, discipline.
Thats one I’ve found to be challenging- I always say I have self discipline but lack self control. Because when I choose to be disciplined I do well, but then I can easily lose control when I decide I don’t want to be.
Moderation is a good thing, unfortunately I suck at that.
Things that I have learned when it came down to discipline in training for goals I had in mind:
It has to come from you. Not from anyone else. Accountability sometimes has the opposite effect, except when you’re your own accountability.
It has to be the right time, you have to be ready to commit to yourself and also, don’t forget to make reasonable goals. Unattainable goals will lead to discouragement and failure.
Don’t obsess over set backs - you will have them, keep on keeping on.
The one that I find most important and one I have to brace myself for is - once you commit, you will find there are a million times in a day you’ll have to say “no” - don’t fall into the trap of “starting tomorrow” because tomorrow will come with a set of its own excuses and challenges.
Motivation - it won’t always be there - sometimes you have to force yourself
Reward yourself with some hiking clothes or whatever.
Thats one I’ve found to be challenging- I always say I have self discipline but lack self control. Because when I choose to be disciplined I do well, but then I can easily lose control when I decide I don’t want to be.
Moderation is a good thing, unfortunately I suck at that.
Things that I have learned when it came down to discipline in training for goals I had in mind:
It has to come from you. Not from anyone else. Accountability sometimes has the opposite effect, except when you’re your own accountability.
It has to be the right time, you have to be ready to commit to yourself and also, don’t forget to make reasonable goals. Unattainable goals will lead to discouragement and failure.
Don’t obsess over set backs - you will have them, keep on keeping on.
The one that I find most important and one I have to brace myself for is - once you commit, you will find there are a million times in a day you’ll have to say “no” - don’t fall into the trap of “starting tomorrow” because tomorrow will come with a set of its own excuses and challenges.
Motivation - it won’t always be there - sometimes you have to force yourself
Reward yourself with some hiking clothes or whatever.
“Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still.”
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RhodoRose
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Re: How do you become disciplined?
Excellent words from Andrea. 
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3: 13-14
Philippians 3: 13-14
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susanjoypaul
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Re: How do you become disciplined?
Tie your goals to your survival.
When someone asks me how I found the discipline to write more than seventy books in ten years, I tell them "I like to eat." It's true. I've been supporting myself since I was eighteen. Didn't live off a spouse, parents, or a trust fund. Just worked my butt off, sometimes with four jobs at a time. Now, writing pays the bills. Sure, sometimes I want a day off. But then I look in my refrigerator and say, 'Hey, fridge, you need food! Let me write another book." Or I look in my garage and say, "Hey Bronco, you need gas! Guess I better get to work."
For mountaineering, since your financial survival doesn't depend on it, you could hire someone to chase you up the peaks with a machete. That would inspire me! Again, it's all about survival. Amazing how disciplined you become when your life depends on it.
BUT SERIOUSLY...
I recently lost twenty pounds, and it wasn't easy. It never is. I had to change a few things up, and the weight took care of itself. Here are the main changes I made:
Diet: Switched to a smoothie for breakfast, a salad for dinner, and whatever I want for lunch.
Exercise: Rejoined the gym and I go every day. Run three miles every other day in a nearby park.
More on the diet: I've been vegan since 2013, but you can still put on the pounds on a plant-based diet, especially when you're sitting at a desk cranking out books every day. My smoothie consists of 1/2 a banana, half a cup of mixed organic berries, unsweetened soy milk, tofu, vegan protein powder, frozen spinach, nutritional yeast, chia seeds, and rolled oats. I make it in the morning, stick it in a mason jar to thicken up overnight in the fridge, and eat it the next day. 400 calories and 40 grams of protein. MAKING IT THE DAY BEFORE IS WHERE THE DISCIPLINE COMES IN - I'M NOT TEMPTED TO MAKE PANCAKES FOR BREAKFAST WHEN I KNOW THERE'S A SMOOTHIE SITTING IN THE FRIDGE (I don't waste food). I add vegan chopped seitan or tempeh to my dinner salad for more protein, and I have a protein-heavy lunch, so I hit about 1600 calories and 150 grams of protein a day. By the way, there are meal-prep cookbooks out there, if you want to prep all your meals ahead of time. This can really help you stick to whatever diet you choose, especially if you're like me and were brought up to never waste food.
More on the exercise: I've been going to the gym since 1983. Decades ago, I trained with Mr. Southern California and was squatting 420 pounds. I could never do that much weight today, but nothing gets me in shape faster than hitting the weights. If you're new to the gym, hire a trainer. For cardio, find a trail nearby and take it short and slow, increasing the distance, speed, and elevation gain over time. For cardio and weights, find places to work out that are convenient or you won't go. I can walk to the trailhead from my house (my neighborhood abuts a huge park) and the gym is less than two miles away. If they were further, I'd find excuses to skip them.
I've heard that some people benefit from an accountability buddy - someone to take this whole losing weight and getting fit journey with you - but I like doing things on my own. However, you might want to look into getting a friend with similar goals to join you. If nothing else, it's nice to have someone to commiserate with about how freaking hard it is.
My advice works for me, and it may or may not work for you. If it doesn't, find something you like to do enough to do every day. Consistency is huge. You can't just show up at the gym or on the trail once a week and expect results.
BUT I am not a nutritionist or a doctor, so check with your own medical pro before making these kinds of changes.
Okay, back to work. I have a book, a screenplay, an interview, and a blog due. And I'm meeting with three new authors this week - potential clients for more writing work. The fridge is empty, and the Bronco needs gas, so here I go That whole survival thing...it's like magic for discipline!
Good luck.
When someone asks me how I found the discipline to write more than seventy books in ten years, I tell them "I like to eat." It's true. I've been supporting myself since I was eighteen. Didn't live off a spouse, parents, or a trust fund. Just worked my butt off, sometimes with four jobs at a time. Now, writing pays the bills. Sure, sometimes I want a day off. But then I look in my refrigerator and say, 'Hey, fridge, you need food! Let me write another book." Or I look in my garage and say, "Hey Bronco, you need gas! Guess I better get to work."
For mountaineering, since your financial survival doesn't depend on it, you could hire someone to chase you up the peaks with a machete. That would inspire me! Again, it's all about survival. Amazing how disciplined you become when your life depends on it.
BUT SERIOUSLY...
I recently lost twenty pounds, and it wasn't easy. It never is. I had to change a few things up, and the weight took care of itself. Here are the main changes I made:
Diet: Switched to a smoothie for breakfast, a salad for dinner, and whatever I want for lunch.
Exercise: Rejoined the gym and I go every day. Run three miles every other day in a nearby park.
More on the diet: I've been vegan since 2013, but you can still put on the pounds on a plant-based diet, especially when you're sitting at a desk cranking out books every day. My smoothie consists of 1/2 a banana, half a cup of mixed organic berries, unsweetened soy milk, tofu, vegan protein powder, frozen spinach, nutritional yeast, chia seeds, and rolled oats. I make it in the morning, stick it in a mason jar to thicken up overnight in the fridge, and eat it the next day. 400 calories and 40 grams of protein. MAKING IT THE DAY BEFORE IS WHERE THE DISCIPLINE COMES IN - I'M NOT TEMPTED TO MAKE PANCAKES FOR BREAKFAST WHEN I KNOW THERE'S A SMOOTHIE SITTING IN THE FRIDGE (I don't waste food). I add vegan chopped seitan or tempeh to my dinner salad for more protein, and I have a protein-heavy lunch, so I hit about 1600 calories and 150 grams of protein a day. By the way, there are meal-prep cookbooks out there, if you want to prep all your meals ahead of time. This can really help you stick to whatever diet you choose, especially if you're like me and were brought up to never waste food.
More on the exercise: I've been going to the gym since 1983. Decades ago, I trained with Mr. Southern California and was squatting 420 pounds. I could never do that much weight today, but nothing gets me in shape faster than hitting the weights. If you're new to the gym, hire a trainer. For cardio, find a trail nearby and take it short and slow, increasing the distance, speed, and elevation gain over time. For cardio and weights, find places to work out that are convenient or you won't go. I can walk to the trailhead from my house (my neighborhood abuts a huge park) and the gym is less than two miles away. If they were further, I'd find excuses to skip them.
I've heard that some people benefit from an accountability buddy - someone to take this whole losing weight and getting fit journey with you - but I like doing things on my own. However, you might want to look into getting a friend with similar goals to join you. If nothing else, it's nice to have someone to commiserate with about how freaking hard it is.
My advice works for me, and it may or may not work for you. If it doesn't, find something you like to do enough to do every day. Consistency is huge. You can't just show up at the gym or on the trail once a week and expect results.
BUT I am not a nutritionist or a doctor, so check with your own medical pro before making these kinds of changes.
Okay, back to work. I have a book, a screenplay, an interview, and a blog due. And I'm meeting with three new authors this week - potential clients for more writing work. The fridge is empty, and the Bronco needs gas, so here I go
That whole survival thing...it's like magic for discipline!Good luck.
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d_baker
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BillMiddlebrook
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Re: How do you become disciplined?
Latest jbrow booted, but I've left the remaining replies.
Proud to be against fascism, racism, xenophobia and stupidity.
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susanjoypaul
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Re: How do you become disciplined?
We got trolled? On 14ers.com? No wayyyyyyyyy. 
Thanks for outing him, Darin, and for giving him the boot, Bill.
People! Why do so many of them have to suck?
Thanks for outing him, Darin, and for giving him the boot, Bill.
People! Why do so many of them have to suck?
