Are You “Over” The Need For Self Discipline?

I had the opportunity this weekend to actually go to a theater with my son to watch a movie, instead of sitting at home and watching Netflix.

I had a bit of culture shock watching people carrying huge tubs of popcorn, enormous boxes of candy and big cups of soda to their seats.

While waiting for the movie to start, I enjoyed people watching.

I noticed that every time there was an ad for soda, people drank. When they showed food, people ate.

Is Eating What You Want Freedom?

Every ad they showed lead you to believe that eating and drinking food from the snack bar would bring you great happiness and joy.

The ads market to our nature to act on impulse, rather than self control.

Has Self Control Lost It’s Appeal?

Do you see self-discipline as an imposition to your free will and has the concept of self-control lost its appeal?

Love to hear your thoughts below in the comment section…

It almost seems like we have become such an entitled culture, that the mere suggestion we temper our instinctive responses is like an insult.

What Is The Cost To Our Health?

If you think turning up your nose at self-discipline makes you happier – you’re wrong.

This study found that the higher the participants rated their self-control, the more satisfied they were with their lives. They also had lower conflict and emotional distress.

Other studies found that people who had strong self-control enjoyed happier, closer relationships as well as more secure attachments within relationships, better school performance, lower rates of addiction, higher self-esteem and healthier emotional responses.

Do You Constantly Have To Struggle Against Temptation?

You may be thinking that to have self-control you must constantly struggle against temptation.

The truth is, you won’t struggle, if you minimize the opportunities and situations that put you in conflict with your goals.

It can be as simple as avoiding happy hours or bringing your own healthier treats to the movies.

I usually bring my own homemade popcorn popped with coconut oil to the movies. See the recipe below…

Our Word Is Sacred

So don’t beat yourself up for grabbing a piece of bread from the breadbasket or wanting to stay in your warm, cozy bed, instead of getting your shoes on when it’s time to workout.

Instead make a commitment to yourself and decide to keep your word even when your mind is bombarded with excuses and justifications.

Controlling the self (self-control) is about acknowledging those inner voices and doing what you committed to anyway.

Your Commitment To Yourself

When you honor your commitment to yourself, it gives you with an amazing emotional and motivational tool.

You prove to yourself that you are in control of your own life and you never have to give your power over to an excuse, ever again.

If you do this on a regular basis, it will change the way you view yourself.

By making time for your health and your psychological well-being, you are sending a message to yourself that you matter and that you are worth it.

It builds your self-esteem, your motivation, and your sense of control in your life.

What Do You Choose?

Self-control isn’t only about what you give up, what you say no to, or what you stay away from – in other words, what you avoid.

It’s also what you say yes to – what you choose.

If you focus on what you can’t have, you’re still giving it power by mentally obsessing about it.

Feeling deprived because of the burger you didn’t eat.

Instead focus on what you want and your priorities.

You can either live in response to your environment or live your life with direction and purpose.

Setting Your Intention

In this way, self-control is really about intentional living and the self-satisfaction that comes from following through on your goals and commitment to yourself.

So self-control doesn’t have to mean deprivation, denial or chastising yourself.

• It can mean clarity and intention to your vision for your lives.
• It can mean making choices that serve you rather than harm you.
• It can mean taking care of your needs in a way that works with your great plans and goals.

And so, self-control and self discipline can actually be viewed as the ultimate exercise in freedom – a freedom that comes from self-determination of one’s life not constrained by cultural norms or impulses.

What we call control can be the alignment and actualizing of your higher will.

Your Agreement To Yourself

Have you read The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom?

The first agreement is to be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean.

This is true self-discipline!

Are You Taking Care Of Yourself Like You Matter?

If not I’d love to help you, just click here so we can get you started.

Recipe: Popcorn with Dried Oregano and Lemon

Olive oil replaces melted butter in this healthful, Mediterranean-inspired snack.
Serves 4 (makes about 8 cups)

* 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
* 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
* Zest of 1 lemon
* 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
* 1 tsp. sea salt
* 2 tsp. dried oregano
* 2 tsp. sesame seeds
* 1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl. Set aside.

Pop kernels in a heavy bottomed pot with coconut oil, then transfer popcorn to a large serving bowl. Pour reserved oil-lemon mixture on top, and mix well. Season with remaining ingredients, and toss.