Self-Discipline in 5 Questions

I’ve been on a cleansing diet over the past three weeks. For me that means no sugar, no coffee, no alcohol, no grains and no dairy. Some days (and many nights) my head tells me it’s too much trouble and work! I hear myself asking, “What difference will one piece of chocolate or one cup of coffee make anyway?”

Believe me, I’ve given into these questions (read “rationalizations”) before. And how do I feel the next day or shortly after? Lousy.

How many times do you need to make the same bad choices for yourself before you learn to make a different more empowering choice? What helps you to stay committed and on track?

Focus on your “Why”.

If you listen to the chattering thoughts of your “small self”, you will easily rationalize why one piece of chocolate or a bag of chips won’t really matter. Hey, no one will know you ate them anyway.

But you will. And how do you feel after the pleasure is gone and you’re left with disappointment and guilt?

To help you stay focused and on track, ask yourself these five questions:

• Why am I doing this in the first place?  If you’re doing this for another or because you “should” it’s not the right reason and it won’t last.  Make sure your “why” is compelling to you.
• When I follow through, how is this bigger choice going to impact my life?  How will this impact my health, my family, my future… maybe even the world!
• How will I feel tomorrow if I take the easy choice today?
• How will I feel one year from now if I continue making the same choices I have in the past?
• If not now, when?

Now’s the time to drop out of your head and into your heart.

Get up above your little self with its little thoughts, it’s need for immediate gratification, rationalization and lazy habits and look down on your bigger picture. Look down on your “why”.

Listen to the wisdom of your higher “Wise Self”. Don’t believe the self-sabotaging lies in your head. Start small, taking one step a day at a time. And don’t forget to celebrate each day you succeed!

If your “why” is big enough, you will be enjoying the repercussions of your new habit for the rest of your life.

Please share your experience and thoughts with me below. Thanks!