It’s so hard when I have to,
and so easy when I want to.
~ Sondra Anice Barnes
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There is no such thing as an undisciplined person. Shocking statement? But so true.
There are no undisciplined people, only unmotivated people. We have NO problem getting ourselves to do what we WANT to do. It is getting ourselves to do what we don’t want to do that is the challenge.
So here’s an idea: Instead of spending all that time and energy trying to get yourself to do what you don’t want to do (and spending more time and energy beating yourself up if you don’t succeed), why not expend that time and energy trying to get yourself to WANT to do whatever it is that you think you should be doing but aren’t?
Focus on removing restraining forces (emotional resistance) rather than increasing driving forces (discipline). [See blog on removing restraining forces.]
And how do you get yourself to WANT to do something?
1. I assure you that whatever it is, there is probably someone in the world somewhere (5 billion of us, right?) who actually ENJOYS doing it. If that person can, you can. Find out how she does it. Imagine it if you have to and copy it.
2. Think it through. Imagine the benefits. Visualize yourself doing it––smiling, being good at it, enjoying the rewards. Make it familiar and comfortable in your mind.
3. Reframe it. Look for the good, focus on the positive. [See blog on reframing.]
4. Surround yourself with a support group that does this thing, that values it. Attitudes are contagious. Hang out with people whose values, practices, habits, and routines you want to incorporate into your life.
You’ve got to work with me on this. It is easy to scoff and disbelieve and dismiss. But does that serve you? Does it move you forward? Help you grow? Help you find your highest leverage point? To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.
If you truly want to move forward in your life, you have to do some new things, try out some new ideas. All of these techniques will not work all of the time for all people. But if you try them with enthusiasm and an open mind and a willing heart, enough of them will work to create momentum that you can use to create the change you seek.
Let me know how it works for you. Let me know how I can help.
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