The journey to achieving our goals or our “goaling journey” is filled with detours, obstacles, and challenges.

Yet, it’s our self-discipline that is the compass (showing us the direction), that will guide us to our ultimate destination or goals completion.

Without self-discipline personal growth and goal achievement simply does not happen!

Why is self-discipline so hard for so many of us?

I believe there are 7 good reasons why it’s hard; and 7 solutions to try.

1. Instant Gratification
   We often want immediate rewards. That makes it difficult to select assignments or tasks that require our long-term effort and delayed gratification.

   What’s a solution?

   Break down our goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. Then reward ourselves for completing each small task to keep the momentum going.

2. Lack of Motivation

   When a goal is not personally meaningful or doesn't align with our values, it’s hard to stay the course to that finish line.

   What’s a Solution?

   Investigate the "why" of the goal. This can prove very helpful when it’s a job-related task or assignment you have no passion for.

   Once you’re clear on the “why” of the work, connect with some aspect of the assignment that you can focus on to bring a measure of satisfaction as you move through to task completion.

3. Overwhelming Tasks

   Large assignments that may require a quarter or even a year to complete can be overwhelming. They can cause us to procrastinate. We can even feel paralyzed when faced with the amount of work required.

   What’s a Solution?

   Just focus on one step at a time. We create a sense of accomplishment with each completed smaller piece or step that we can check off our to-do list.

4. No Planning

   Without a clear plan, it's easy to get lost or distracted. Lack of structure can make it challenging to stay disciplined.

   Numerous studies have shown only three percent of the population set goals and only about one percent write them down.

   What’s a Solution?

   Write down your plan! Make it S.M.A.R.T. that is…

   Specific – don’t be vague
   Measurable – quantify your goal
   Attainable – be honest with yourself
   Relevant – real and practical
   Time-bound – timeframe for completion

   Use calendars, checklists, to-do lists, and reminders to help organize yourself.

5. Fear of Failure or Even Success

   Fear can rob us of self-discipline if we are not acutely aware. Of what we are felling. We get anxious for we fear failing or we may even fear managing the success! We are paralyzed into no action at all!

   What’s a Solution?

   We must reframe our mindset. We must practice seeing failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. Consider Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Steve Jobs.

   Often recognized as one of the greatest inventors in history, Thomas Edison is known for his contributions to the development of the electric light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera.

   However, he faced countless failures on his journey to create a practical, long-lasting electric light bulb. He once famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

   Then there's the founder of the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford.

   Prior to his success with the Model T Ford, Henry Ford faced business failures and bankruptcy. But his perseverance and innovative approach to manufacturing revolutionized the automotive industry and made cars for the common man.

   And finally, there was Steve Jobs. As the co-founder of Apple Inc., Jobs filled a need most us didn’t know we had!

   He revolutionized technology and the entertainment industries. However, Jobs faced significant failures. He was ousted from the company he co-founded. But he returned later and produced a remarkable turnaround!

   This lead to the creation of the Apple Watch series (I talk into my series 7), to the iPhone (I only have generation 15) and the all-powerful Mac computers that we use daily.

6. Distractions
   People, things and situations are distractions that prevent us from working on our goals.

   What’s a Solution?

   Create a dedicated workspace. Establish specific time blocks for focused work. Turn off your phone.

7. Inconsistent
   It’s hard to create great habits when we are inconsistent.

   What’s a Solution?

   Establish a daily routine. Practice “habit stacking.”

Our brain has neuronal connections, where one cell talks to another. These cells talking to each other are strongest for behaviors we already practice.

And they are weak (or non-existent) for those things we don't yet practice.

So, we're wired for what we are already good at, what we are used to, or familiar with.

Our solution is to use “habit stacking.”

We “stack" or add a new behavior (we're trying to adopt) onto a current behavior we have, to help us remember to do it and/or perform it with less mental effort.

In other words, we’re using the strong brain cell connections we already to help us develop the new connections we want.

For example, your dentist says you need to floss daily after brushing your teeth to prevent gum disease. You stack flossing and brushing together and create a small, but growing chain.

Every morning, those two actions are to be associated with each other: brush teeth, floss; brush teeth, floss; brush teeth, floss. The more regularly you do it, the more automatic it will become.

Summary

Building self-discipline is a gradual process. We should be patient with ourselves; commit to tiny changes (at least one little change we can add daily with habit stacking) and never give up!

We will celebrate small victories along the way and have compassion for ourselves if, or when, we have setbacks.

We will then adjust our strategies and continue refining our approaches as our self-discipline continues to improve over time!

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