Ever since childhood, I’ve been rebellious, wanting to break the rules and go beyond boundaries. I believed that I could never maintain discipline for long. However, things changed when multiple adversities struck my life simultaneously, and I took up running seriously.
After participating in numerous marathons, I understood what self-discipline truly means. Self-discipline is the ability to resist short-term discomforts, conveniences, or temptations to focus on a larger goal.
But for me, self-discipline is also a higher form of self-love. When you deeply desire something, you willingly endure anything to achieve it.
This doesn’t mean that self-discipline is elusive; it can be attained at various levels. In this article, I’ve compiled the four levels of self-discipline based on my personal experiences and observations.
Level 1: Harnessing Motivation and Willpower
This level is the easiest to establish and the most fleeting when undertaking any task.
For instance, when you hear someone you admire talk about the benefits of reading, you might feel an overwhelming urge to read and rush to buy a few books. Or, after seeing someone’s journey of losing 30kg on Facebook, you might purchase an annual gym membership and a collection of stylish sportswear the next day.