Discipline: What is it, really?
in Psychology ·
brightridge59 said:Wikipedia says:
In its most traditional sense, discipline refers to the systematic instruction provided to disciples, training them as students in a specific craft or trade, or teaching them to adhere to a particular code of conduct or an established "order."
There are all sorts of different methods of discipline out there, but the one I’ve really been pondering lately is self-discipline.
Self-discipline can be defined as the ability to motivate oneself even when you're dealing with a negative emotional state. It’s usually linked to qualities like sheer willpower, a strong work ethic, and steady persistence.
So, by definition, self-discipline is essentially a capability—something deeply intertwined with motivation.
What I’m truly curious about, though, is how one actually develops this internally when you don't have that external structure or discipline imposed by others to lean on throughout life. Is it even possible to cultivate that kind of inner strength from scratch, and just how much raw motivation does it take to make it stick?
Self-discipline can also feel like a cage. I made plenty of stupid mistakes in my life simply because I lacked discipline. Eventually, those very mistakes became the best motivation I ever had to step up and build something for myself. As for everyone else, they are just a part of what constitutes ME.