Weighing your options, taking your time and then acting wisely are powerful success traits. What exactly is the habit of self-discipline and how important is it to your personal and professional successes?

Answers.com defines self-discipline as the training and control of oneself and one's conduct, usually for personal improvement.

Self-discipline is also synonymous with self-control. Both self-discipline and self-control are founded in being able to delay gratification and control the impulse to act immediately. In other words, being able to focus on the bigger picture.

Self-discipline and self-control are powerful success tools. Here are a few ways the use of self-discipline can help us go positively forward:

1. Goal achievement – Self-discipline is useful for achieving both short-term and long-term goals. To achieve goals, we must be able to focus on what we can do today to make sure that our plans for tomorrow come to fruition. Yes, you may have to delay some instant gratification today, but the future payoff is often well worth the wait.

2. Knowing how to focus on priorities – Self-discipline involves the ability to focus on what is important now and into the future. Setting priorities means asking yourself what is important for achieving balance in life. Often, when you act on impulse or without thinking about the consequences, life becomes off-balance and out of synch.

3. Finding workable solutions instead of temporary “quick-fixes” - Self-discipline often helps us to map out a workable emotional, physical and spiritual course of action. Taking the time to sort through the pro’s and con’s can result in positive solutions that are both empowering and motivating.

Is self-discipline important for success? Here are some thoughts and studies:

A study featured in the “Journal of Environmental Psychology” studied girls in various Chicago neighborhoods and concluded: “Self-discipline is an important personal characteristic. The greater a girl’s self-discipline, the more likely she is to do well in school, to avoid unhealthy or risky behaviors, and to behave in ways that make success more likely.”

"After all these years, my recommendation is this: Forget about self-esteem and concentrate more on self-control and self-discipline." Roy F. Baumeister, professor of psychology, Florida State University. (Los Angeles Times, January 25, 2005)

“Self-discipline is important in any endeavor of life. It's best defined as the ability to regulate one’s conduct by principle and sound judgment, rather than by impulse, desire, or social custom.” John MacArthur

“Self-discipline eventually becomes a habit, just like any other activity you do on a regular basis. That means making a conscious CHOICE to take a certain action (or to avoid taking certain other actions).” SelfImprovementTips.com

Do you believe self-discipline is important to achieving and enjoying success? Please let us know your thoughts on our Self Development Forum here at BellaOnline.com

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