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The Self-Discipline Handbook: Simple Ways to Cultivate Self-Discipline, Build Confidence, and Obtain Your Goals
Learn why boundaries are not bad, why humility is hard, how to milk your momentum, how passion powers progress, why persistence is a virtue and patience is not optional. Learn how to be your own cheerleader, know your own creative cycle, and say so long to the Sunday night blues. Most importantly, learn how curiosity is the new vulnerability, and why, without it, self-discipline will never last. Do you struggle with finishing projects? Need to lose weight? Can’t get to bed at a reasonable hour? We all know we need more self-discipline, yet most of us are a bit foggy on what it actually is. Is it being on time to everything? Or early? Waking up at 5am? Doing everything everyone asks us to, on time, all the time? Or is it something more meaningful, more nourishing? This handbook will teach you how to take joy in cultivating self-discipline. Learn what it is, how to get it, why we need it, how to keep it, and why we want it. It also covers the major stumbling blocks in our way, both internally and externally. If you could use a boost of self-discipline along with a healthy dose of self-confidence, pick up this handbook today. You can’t afford not to.
- GenresSelf HelpNonfiction
151 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2018
217 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 3, 2019
Vague and full of unimportant and unnecessary information!
March 11, 2018
The hardcover edition of this book is charmingly presented in a compact package (which is actually a little too small to complete the worksheets included in the book, at least if you have normal sized handwriting), but I don't think it manages to achieve all those lofty promises listed in the description.
February 2, 2021
In many ways this is a great January read with lots of ideas for improving life and being kind to yourself. In other ways, it duplicated my built-ins. For example, I'd already done some road mapping in my passion planner. "If all else fails, clean" is almost comedy to me. Too bad because this strategy would benefit my whole family! Many useful strategies to find order and peace.
March 6, 2018
Let’s face it:
There are plenty of tools to build self-discipline.
Are these tools enough? Not so much.
Consistency is key.
We can be self-disciplined for a while, but it’s the long run that makes the difference.
What’s in this post?
In this post, you’ll learn seven of Natalie Wise, author of The Self-Discipline Handbook, “simple ways to cultivate self-discipline, build confidence, and obtain your goals.”
The idea behind The Self-Discipline Handbook is that you develop your own self-discipline program.
In the end, you´ll build self-discipline and keep it.
But First . . .
Let’s brush punishment out of the equation
There’s a negative connotation about discipline. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, “The earliest known use of discipline appears to be punishment-related; it first was used in the 13th century to refer to chastisement of a religious nature, such as self-flagellation.”
Punishment as part of imparting discipline has been passed down through generations. As we grow up, we don’t need help any longer, we use self-discipline to punish ourselves.
New generations with a healthier educational system, beyond punishment and reward, won’t go through this predicament.
Stay with me here:
There are parents and teachers who use Positive Discipline to educate children.
I find these Positive Discipline ideas by Dr. Jane Nelsen thought-provoking:
“Punishment does work in that it usually stops misbehavior immediately. But what are the long term results? We are fooled by immediate results. Sometimes we must be aware of what works when the long term results are negative. (resentment, revenge, rebellion, and retreat)”
“Positive Discipline advocates tools that are both kind and firm and that teach valuable social and life skills.”
What if we apply the same approach to ourselves:
If we have grown within this system of punishment and reward, chances are we have these behaviors ingrain in our brains.
What if we understand that in the long run punishment leads to resentment, revenge, rebellion and retreat.
We don’t need to do that to ourselves now that we have grown up.
We deserve to treat ourselves with kindness and firmness at the same time.
On the other hand:
Embrace discomfort
Out of your comfort zone doesn’t necessarily mean pain. It could be more about being a beginner, and beginnings can be messy, but rewarding.
The comfort zone is familiar to you. However, it doesn’t always equate happiness.
If you’re growing you’re for sure out of your comfort zone. Embrace being uncomfortable. Otherwise, you are not growing, you are in the same place. Fooling around, but not getting ahead.
How do you develop and maintain self-discipline?
1. Root yourself
Firm foundations are vital. If not we are moved by circumstances, and the people involved.
How to root yourself:
Create a road-map. This road-map can have plenty of forms.
For example: Vision boards, goals, resolutions, whatever system works for you.
I have used an intention mandala for the past five years, and I‘m pretty happy about this system.
Any system you choose starts with checking your values.
Values
I agree with Natalie Wise “Your values will define your choices and your path, which may very well be different than someone else’s choices and path-even someone you respect.”
Wise recommends:
“Dig deep and be honest with yourself, remembering that no value is inherently bad. Also keep in mind that values change as we grow and mature, so what you used to value may not still hold true.
“Then, order them from most important to least important.
“Pick the top 3 to focus on. Any more than 3 and we tend to get overwhelmed. These will be your guiding principles in everything you do.”
Five years ago, I picked 5 concepts according to Janet Conner system. Conner recommends between 4 and 8 conditions or values. So, choose the magic number that works for you.
For example, my 5 main concepts that complement each other as values are:
Here and Now
Be grateful/to receive (my heart’s desires)
Self-love/True to myself
Fun/joy
Consistency/Trust (intuition)
Our values help us to hold a course, and are gatekeepers of our heart’s desires if we choose to act accordingly. We can achieve whatever we set as our goals, but unless they are our heart’s desires, we won’t be happy. At last we will only please the status quo.
When our values and actions are aligned, our values let us enjoy our day-to day activities, which lead to extraordinary experiences because “small positive choices set us up for success.”
However, in the process of becoming the path can get rough, that’s when “values inform self-discipline. Values keep you going when the going gets tough. Values help you pull from deep reserves of strength you didn’t know you had, because you want to, you have to, you can, and you will for the things you value.”
Knowing our “why” makes us consistent and self-disciplined, “Do things out of value and you will find your self-discipline sky-rockets.” Also, It’s important to choose a strategy which helps you work smarter not harder.
Keep in mind that a balance between play, work and rest is essential.
2. Curiosity – Asking questions
In order to move forward we have to embrace a sense of wonder, and curiosity opens the door. After that, we need self-discipline to keep going, “Curiosity doesn’t make things happen in and of itself. Self-discipline does that.”
The right mindset accepts that we don’t know it all, “Curiosity means accepting that you don´t have all the answers, all the tools, all the ideas.”
Asking the right questions:
To open to different scenarios start your inquire with what if, “What if is such an enticing phrase, such an open-ended beginning.”
Use this question by Tim Ferris to work smarter not harder: “What would this look like if it were easy.”
Suggested Action:
Try something new, “Be disciplined in trying new things, because new things spark new ideas. Things get flowing in a new way, new neurons get firing in our brains, and we are suddenly filled with energy.”
3. Build your pack
First steps are taken alone.
But, you won’t go far alone or with the wrong people. We’re pack animals.
There are more than 7 billion people in this world. There’s someone for you, “Look close (friends, family) and look far (mentors, inspirational figures.) Purposefully connect.”
4. Milk momentum
Wise conveys “momentum, in my vocabulary, is hard work paying off and paying forward.”
What starts momentum?
Consistent baby steps towards our goals, “Even the tiniest step begets momentum, and it turns into a baby step, then two baby steps, and eventually leaps and bounds.”
Also important is to know what to do when the goal you are working towards arrives.
For example: If you’re a blogger, what to do when your blog post goes viral. Search what others have done when they experienced what you are working for to milk the momentum.
5. Automate as much as you can
“Automation oils the gears of momentum.”
Automation is part of working smarter not harder.
It makes everything easier.
It helps to keep yourself on track.
Evaluate your processes. Create systems, and check how much of that can be automated.
There are plenty of tools to help automate our processes, and some of them have free options. For example:
Nozbe: Automated to-do list.
This App shows how long it will take to accomplish all the tasks I want to. That keeps me realistic.
Nozbe shows me how long I’ve been postponing a task, usually when I’m creating a new habit.
Asana: It helps me to organize all the blogging process. Easy to generate step-by-step lists, and get them out of my mind.
Evernote: An easy way to keep my research in one place.
Even though it’s not automated, I like to use a bullet journal to keep my statistics on track.
These tools help us to make the most of our time, to free mind space for creative work, rest, and play.
6. Celebrate and keep going
“Self-discipline does not negate celebration.”
We wait for milestones to celebrate, but there are small events that deserve a celebration, “We aren’t accustomed to celebrating small things. But by capitalizing on the small things, and in essence making the small things bigger things, we’re building encouraging motion and gathering creative capital.”
After enjoying the big celebration, well deserved for sure, it’s time to move on, “Acknowledge the work that got you to this podium. Let yourself feel the weight of it. Your discipline has paid off. Cry a few tears for the late nights and the muscling through I know it took to get you here. Then cry a few happy tears because you did it. You did it. . . But each laurel has its time limit. Laurels are only shiny so long, only fragrant for a little while. Once they become dry and dated, they are crunchy, itchy, and absolutely terrible to sit on.”
There’s an ugly truth about success “no matter how well earned and deserved they are, there will be some other people who will not like it. They might not cheerlead you. In fact, they might even boo you. Success threatens them. . . Other people just don’t like the fact that someone else can manage the self-discipline they can´t. ”
On the other hand:
Our success open doors. We meet great people on our way to our next level of success, keep these people around “. . . Shining people have something going on that’s working, so stay close to them.”
7. When it’s too much – Burnout
Working twenty hours a day it’s not a path to success, it’s likely that you’ll collapse in the process.
For example:
According to Time.com, “A 31-year-old woman in Japan who put in more than 150 hours of overtime in a month died of congestive heart failure after working too much. . .”
Wise recommends to avoid burnout:
“Build in margins of error. Pad time and cost estimates to manage expectations, both your expectations and those of others.”
Create systems to prevent burnout: “Schedule breaks. Schedule yoga, massages, time with friends, schedule down-time and dream-time. Schedule brain-dumping sessions and brain-storming sessions, to get rid of the old and create the new.”
Delegating: “Delegating tasks or outsourcing them is an effective tool for creating balance in business and life. We all need to delegate or out source tasks. No one, no matter how self-disciplined, can do all the things all of the time. We must focus our vital energy (the very best we have to offer) on the things that require it. Hiring others to do tasks that are not an effective use of our vital energy is critical for preserving momentum and not getting mired in details. Trust others, and move forward.”
Be aware of addiction to self-discipline, “There is a very thin line between self-discipline and self-destruction.”
Conclusion
Building and maintaining self-discipline are two different things. Consistency is key.
Get punishment out of self-discipline. Kindness and firmness will serve you better.
Work in all the elements that complement self-discipline: Choose your values, build your pack, keep a sense of wonder with intention.
Work smarter not harder, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Find out how others have milk the momentum, and keep that ideas close to when yours happen.
Celebrate! You deserve it. And then after a while, keep going.
Be aware: There is a point when too much of a thing is harmful. Too much self-discipline can lead to self-destruction.
Keep balance between work, play, and rest.
The post Build Self-Discipline: 7 Simple Ways (Avoid Burnout for Good!) appeared first on rosaelenad.com
There are plenty of tools to build self-discipline.
Are these tools enough? Not so much.
Consistency is key.
We can be self-disciplined for a while, but it’s the long run that makes the difference.
What’s in this post?
In this post, you’ll learn seven of Natalie Wise, author of The Self-Discipline Handbook, “simple ways to cultivate self-discipline, build confidence, and obtain your goals.”
The idea behind The Self-Discipline Handbook is that you develop your own self-discipline program.
In the end, you´ll build self-discipline and keep it.
But First . . .
Let’s brush punishment out of the equation
There’s a negative connotation about discipline. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, “The earliest known use of discipline appears to be punishment-related; it first was used in the 13th century to refer to chastisement of a religious nature, such as self-flagellation.”
Punishment as part of imparting discipline has been passed down through generations. As we grow up, we don’t need help any longer, we use self-discipline to punish ourselves.
New generations with a healthier educational system, beyond punishment and reward, won’t go through this predicament.
Stay with me here:
There are parents and teachers who use Positive Discipline to educate children.
I find these Positive Discipline ideas by Dr. Jane Nelsen thought-provoking:
“Punishment does work in that it usually stops misbehavior immediately. But what are the long term results? We are fooled by immediate results. Sometimes we must be aware of what works when the long term results are negative. (resentment, revenge, rebellion, and retreat)”
“Positive Discipline advocates tools that are both kind and firm and that teach valuable social and life skills.”
What if we apply the same approach to ourselves:
If we have grown within this system of punishment and reward, chances are we have these behaviors ingrain in our brains.
What if we understand that in the long run punishment leads to resentment, revenge, rebellion and retreat.
We don’t need to do that to ourselves now that we have grown up.
We deserve to treat ourselves with kindness and firmness at the same time.
On the other hand:
Embrace discomfort
Out of your comfort zone doesn’t necessarily mean pain. It could be more about being a beginner, and beginnings can be messy, but rewarding.
The comfort zone is familiar to you. However, it doesn’t always equate happiness.
If you’re growing you’re for sure out of your comfort zone. Embrace being uncomfortable. Otherwise, you are not growing, you are in the same place. Fooling around, but not getting ahead.
How do you develop and maintain self-discipline?
1. Root yourself
Firm foundations are vital. If not we are moved by circumstances, and the people involved.
How to root yourself:
Create a road-map. This road-map can have plenty of forms.
For example: Vision boards, goals, resolutions, whatever system works for you.
I have used an intention mandala for the past five years, and I‘m pretty happy about this system.
Any system you choose starts with checking your values.
Values
I agree with Natalie Wise “Your values will define your choices and your path, which may very well be different than someone else’s choices and path-even someone you respect.”
Wise recommends:
“Dig deep and be honest with yourself, remembering that no value is inherently bad. Also keep in mind that values change as we grow and mature, so what you used to value may not still hold true.
“Then, order them from most important to least important.
“Pick the top 3 to focus on. Any more than 3 and we tend to get overwhelmed. These will be your guiding principles in everything you do.”
Five years ago, I picked 5 concepts according to Janet Conner system. Conner recommends between 4 and 8 conditions or values. So, choose the magic number that works for you.
For example, my 5 main concepts that complement each other as values are:
Here and Now
Be grateful/to receive (my heart’s desires)
Self-love/True to myself
Fun/joy
Consistency/Trust (intuition)
Our values help us to hold a course, and are gatekeepers of our heart’s desires if we choose to act accordingly. We can achieve whatever we set as our goals, but unless they are our heart’s desires, we won’t be happy. At last we will only please the status quo.
When our values and actions are aligned, our values let us enjoy our day-to day activities, which lead to extraordinary experiences because “small positive choices set us up for success.”
However, in the process of becoming the path can get rough, that’s when “values inform self-discipline. Values keep you going when the going gets tough. Values help you pull from deep reserves of strength you didn’t know you had, because you want to, you have to, you can, and you will for the things you value.”
Knowing our “why” makes us consistent and self-disciplined, “Do things out of value and you will find your self-discipline sky-rockets.” Also, It’s important to choose a strategy which helps you work smarter not harder.
Keep in mind that a balance between play, work and rest is essential.
2. Curiosity – Asking questions
In order to move forward we have to embrace a sense of wonder, and curiosity opens the door. After that, we need self-discipline to keep going, “Curiosity doesn’t make things happen in and of itself. Self-discipline does that.”
The right mindset accepts that we don’t know it all, “Curiosity means accepting that you don´t have all the answers, all the tools, all the ideas.”
Asking the right questions:
To open to different scenarios start your inquire with what if, “What if is such an enticing phrase, such an open-ended beginning.”
Use this question by Tim Ferris to work smarter not harder: “What would this look like if it were easy.”
Suggested Action:
Try something new, “Be disciplined in trying new things, because new things spark new ideas. Things get flowing in a new way, new neurons get firing in our brains, and we are suddenly filled with energy.”
3. Build your pack
First steps are taken alone.
But, you won’t go far alone or with the wrong people. We’re pack animals.
There are more than 7 billion people in this world. There’s someone for you, “Look close (friends, family) and look far (mentors, inspirational figures.) Purposefully connect.”
4. Milk momentum
Wise conveys “momentum, in my vocabulary, is hard work paying off and paying forward.”
What starts momentum?
Consistent baby steps towards our goals, “Even the tiniest step begets momentum, and it turns into a baby step, then two baby steps, and eventually leaps and bounds.”
Also important is to know what to do when the goal you are working towards arrives.
For example: If you’re a blogger, what to do when your blog post goes viral. Search what others have done when they experienced what you are working for to milk the momentum.
5. Automate as much as you can
“Automation oils the gears of momentum.”
Automation is part of working smarter not harder.
It makes everything easier.
It helps to keep yourself on track.
Evaluate your processes. Create systems, and check how much of that can be automated.
There are plenty of tools to help automate our processes, and some of them have free options. For example:
Nozbe: Automated to-do list.
This App shows how long it will take to accomplish all the tasks I want to. That keeps me realistic.
Nozbe shows me how long I’ve been postponing a task, usually when I’m creating a new habit.
Asana: It helps me to organize all the blogging process. Easy to generate step-by-step lists, and get them out of my mind.
Evernote: An easy way to keep my research in one place.
Even though it’s not automated, I like to use a bullet journal to keep my statistics on track.
These tools help us to make the most of our time, to free mind space for creative work, rest, and play.
6. Celebrate and keep going
“Self-discipline does not negate celebration.”
We wait for milestones to celebrate, but there are small events that deserve a celebration, “We aren’t accustomed to celebrating small things. But by capitalizing on the small things, and in essence making the small things bigger things, we’re building encouraging motion and gathering creative capital.”
After enjoying the big celebration, well deserved for sure, it’s time to move on, “Acknowledge the work that got you to this podium. Let yourself feel the weight of it. Your discipline has paid off. Cry a few tears for the late nights and the muscling through I know it took to get you here. Then cry a few happy tears because you did it. You did it. . . But each laurel has its time limit. Laurels are only shiny so long, only fragrant for a little while. Once they become dry and dated, they are crunchy, itchy, and absolutely terrible to sit on.”
There’s an ugly truth about success “no matter how well earned and deserved they are, there will be some other people who will not like it. They might not cheerlead you. In fact, they might even boo you. Success threatens them. . . Other people just don’t like the fact that someone else can manage the self-discipline they can´t. ”
On the other hand:
Our success open doors. We meet great people on our way to our next level of success, keep these people around “. . . Shining people have something going on that’s working, so stay close to them.”
7. When it’s too much – Burnout
Working twenty hours a day it’s not a path to success, it’s likely that you’ll collapse in the process.
For example:
According to Time.com, “A 31-year-old woman in Japan who put in more than 150 hours of overtime in a month died of congestive heart failure after working too much. . .”
Wise recommends to avoid burnout:
“Build in margins of error. Pad time and cost estimates to manage expectations, both your expectations and those of others.”
Create systems to prevent burnout: “Schedule breaks. Schedule yoga, massages, time with friends, schedule down-time and dream-time. Schedule brain-dumping sessions and brain-storming sessions, to get rid of the old and create the new.”
Delegating: “Delegating tasks or outsourcing them is an effective tool for creating balance in business and life. We all need to delegate or out source tasks. No one, no matter how self-disciplined, can do all the things all of the time. We must focus our vital energy (the very best we have to offer) on the things that require it. Hiring others to do tasks that are not an effective use of our vital energy is critical for preserving momentum and not getting mired in details. Trust others, and move forward.”
Be aware of addiction to self-discipline, “There is a very thin line between self-discipline and self-destruction.”
Conclusion
Building and maintaining self-discipline are two different things. Consistency is key.
Get punishment out of self-discipline. Kindness and firmness will serve you better.
Work in all the elements that complement self-discipline: Choose your values, build your pack, keep a sense of wonder with intention.
Work smarter not harder, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Find out how others have milk the momentum, and keep that ideas close to when yours happen.
Celebrate! You deserve it. And then after a while, keep going.
Be aware: There is a point when too much of a thing is harmful. Too much self-discipline can lead to self-destruction.
Keep balance between work, play, and rest.
The post Build Self-Discipline: 7 Simple Ways (Avoid Burnout for Good!) appeared first on rosaelenad.com
July 11, 2023
"Remember that confidence is rewarded. The world rewards confidence. Relationships thrive on it, work goes infinitely better with it; you, deep in yourself, better feel about life. Confidence is rewarded; desperation is not."
"If you truly feel you have nothing, I challenge you. I challenge you to help someone else who also has nothing. Help in any way you can, even if it's a hug or a smile. Help someone else, and it comes back to you. Build on it. Build relationship. Relationship is something. Smiles and hugs are something.
"Start Somewhere: Somewhere is always better than nowhere. Something is always better than nothing. In fact, starting somewhere is the very best part because you get to see what you can do when the rubber hits the road. This is go-time, and that is exciting."
"It is the pursuit of better ... the pursuit of being the best stewards we can be of the gifts we are given. It is about bringing self into center. Finding purpose, and giving that purpose our all. The pursuit of progress with passion. Don't worry about the two-steps-forward-one-step-back tango. This is life. We must dance with it. Sway with it, or you'll break some bones being dragged. No one likes that so pick up your feet and move. Keep going. Even if you aren't quite on the rewards rhythm, life rewards the movement. You've still made progress, so embrace it as part of the dance. My friend calls the "one step back" thing "life tuition." I like that. We give and take, we move and we sway and its life."
"We cannot perfect ourselves here on Earth.
The pursuit of it merely breaks down the very vital energy that keeps us going. We slowly wilt, wither, and waste away, until our health has been compromised and we are victims of what we thought was perfection. Perfection eats away at us, literally. Did you know that anorexics bodies literally start eating themselves? And it starts with the heart, because it is the hardest-working muscle. Trying to achieve "perfection" in the form of physical beauty causes your body to literally destroy your heart. You cannot have both: heart and perfection. And I choose heart. I choose health and relationships and having a life worth incorporating self-discipline into.
Self-discipline is not the pursuit of perfection. Let me get that clear right now. This is not the handbook of perfection."
"If you truly feel you have nothing, I challenge you. I challenge you to help someone else who also has nothing. Help in any way you can, even if it's a hug or a smile. Help someone else, and it comes back to you. Build on it. Build relationship. Relationship is something. Smiles and hugs are something.
"Start Somewhere: Somewhere is always better than nowhere. Something is always better than nothing. In fact, starting somewhere is the very best part because you get to see what you can do when the rubber hits the road. This is go-time, and that is exciting."
"It is the pursuit of better ... the pursuit of being the best stewards we can be of the gifts we are given. It is about bringing self into center. Finding purpose, and giving that purpose our all. The pursuit of progress with passion. Don't worry about the two-steps-forward-one-step-back tango. This is life. We must dance with it. Sway with it, or you'll break some bones being dragged. No one likes that so pick up your feet and move. Keep going. Even if you aren't quite on the rewards rhythm, life rewards the movement. You've still made progress, so embrace it as part of the dance. My friend calls the "one step back" thing "life tuition." I like that. We give and take, we move and we sway and its life."
"We cannot perfect ourselves here on Earth.
The pursuit of it merely breaks down the very vital energy that keeps us going. We slowly wilt, wither, and waste away, until our health has been compromised and we are victims of what we thought was perfection. Perfection eats away at us, literally. Did you know that anorexics bodies literally start eating themselves? And it starts with the heart, because it is the hardest-working muscle. Trying to achieve "perfection" in the form of physical beauty causes your body to literally destroy your heart. You cannot have both: heart and perfection. And I choose heart. I choose health and relationships and having a life worth incorporating self-discipline into.
Self-discipline is not the pursuit of perfection. Let me get that clear right now. This is not the handbook of perfection."
February 2, 2019
I believe in synchronicity, that things come into our path at the right time. This book seems to be one of those instances. I consider myself a fairly disciplined person, but I sometimes hit unproductive periods that slow me down. This book sparked my inspiration, and I’m so thrilled to have found it!
We all want to reach our full potential in all areas of our lives, but it is hard. We all need a little help and perspective, which is what this book offers. The author has walked the walk before she talked the talk (she tells her story in this book), so she comes across as highly credible. However, she speaks in the manner of a good friend or supportive coach rather than a drill sergeant.
This book provides instructions for creating a directed, purpose-filled, meaningful life that is positive, nurturing, balanced, and effective. Through learning how to prioritize, we can get more of what we want out of our lives (achieving goals, having passion, gaining momentum, health, balance) and less of what we do not (burnout, unhealthy stress, ineffectiveness in all of its forms).
The author talks a lot about “vital energy” and how it is a precious resource that we must use wisely. This message resonated with me because I tend to get distracted by people and things that usurp my energy, leaving me feeling less pep for what matters. The author gives numerous ways to harness our energy to achieve what is most important, and how to eliminate the nonessentials.
The author did a lot of research to write this book, but the message comes across in a lively manner—something I don’t often see in books like these. As a result, I feel lighter and more inspired—mentally, physically, and spiritually. It reminded me that I can approach my goals with a spirit of fun, and that I am in control of every step of the journey.
We all want to reach our full potential in all areas of our lives, but it is hard. We all need a little help and perspective, which is what this book offers. The author has walked the walk before she talked the talk (she tells her story in this book), so she comes across as highly credible. However, she speaks in the manner of a good friend or supportive coach rather than a drill sergeant.
This book provides instructions for creating a directed, purpose-filled, meaningful life that is positive, nurturing, balanced, and effective. Through learning how to prioritize, we can get more of what we want out of our lives (achieving goals, having passion, gaining momentum, health, balance) and less of what we do not (burnout, unhealthy stress, ineffectiveness in all of its forms).
The author talks a lot about “vital energy” and how it is a precious resource that we must use wisely. This message resonated with me because I tend to get distracted by people and things that usurp my energy, leaving me feeling less pep for what matters. The author gives numerous ways to harness our energy to achieve what is most important, and how to eliminate the nonessentials.
The author did a lot of research to write this book, but the message comes across in a lively manner—something I don’t often see in books like these. As a result, I feel lighter and more inspired—mentally, physically, and spiritually. It reminded me that I can approach my goals with a spirit of fun, and that I am in control of every step of the journey.
February 11, 2019
A reader of mostly fiction, I typically scroll right by "self help" or "personal development" works and seldom make it to that section of any bookstore; however, Natalie Wise's The Self-Discipline Handbook could not have found its way into my life at a better time. First, the author presents the idea of self-discipline as a behavior necessary to success. Then, she unpacks the term (along with a unique definition of success) with great thoroughness--even allowing space within the book for exercise worksheets and notes. I walked away from this book with fresh ideas of self-discipline, that such is not the pursuit of perfect, but rather the pursuit of "better." I highly recommend this book for anyone who is battling overwhelm within their personal life, professional life, or even within the home. (Tidiness is a prevalent theme throughout.). A self-employed mom of two, I found the sections on self-care and relaxation particularly helpful. (It's not the cliched and nebulous idea of not being able to pour from an empty cup, but rather concrete steps on maintaining energy levels--physically and mentally.). I look forward to incorporating Wise's advice into my daily routines and to reading her additional works.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2022
Not sure why all the bad reviews. I found many good exercises for solving my self discipline problems that I would recommend:
- Stress coping audit- Write down burnout coping stories, stress stories, what my coping strategy and reaction was and what I should do instead.
- List out short and long relaxation for when I get stressed
- Chart out path to success
- Heart visualization for goals
- Curiosity list to avoid lone wolf syndrome
- Humility yes and no list. Be honest about letting people down and boundaries. What you’re capable of doing and what you aren’t
- Hustle and dabble list. Hone your hustle what is the next level? Tasks to get you there?
- Write opening and closing procedures
- Write out the personality of each project
- Find your heart motivation that motivates you. Something that will drive you up the mountains
- Make a time inventory sheet
- Stress coping audit- Write down burnout coping stories, stress stories, what my coping strategy and reaction was and what I should do instead.
- List out short and long relaxation for when I get stressed
- Chart out path to success
- Heart visualization for goals
- Curiosity list to avoid lone wolf syndrome
- Humility yes and no list. Be honest about letting people down and boundaries. What you’re capable of doing and what you aren’t
- Hustle and dabble list. Hone your hustle what is the next level? Tasks to get you there?
- Write opening and closing procedures
- Write out the personality of each project
- Find your heart motivation that motivates you. Something that will drive you up the mountains
- Make a time inventory sheet
December 12, 2018
I wanted a book that would tell me how to wake up at 5am (or even 7am), but alas this was not it. I found a few helpful things, but overall it felt like a lot of cliches and vague advice. I understand that everyone has their own specific situations, but some examples or scenarios would have been nice. Or perhaps more about the author's own experiences to illustrate why I should believe her.
It is a cute little book though, and I approve of all the stylistic choices.
It is a cute little book though, and I approve of all the stylistic choices.
June 9, 2018
I found the material to be easy to read and a variety of good thoughts to implement. I would have liked a little more anecdotal evidence of the processes described from the author. It would have been nice to see some of her ideas in action with examples from friends or studies that she had done.
April 16, 2023
The first half of this book felt relevant to my life and thing I’d like to change about it. The second half felt like the author had to fill about 75 pages. There are some interesting exercises in concepts within, but it never feels like all of it should be followed. I’m already seeing a few changes in my day to day to life so let’s see if the lessons taught here have staying power.
May 18, 2023
It is a book
If you are looking for a spiritual journey, then this is your book. However, not everyone is looking for this type of journey, so be forewarned this may not be for you.
If you are looking for a spiritual journey, then this is your book. However, not everyone is looking for this type of journey, so be forewarned this may not be for you.
March 28, 2019
Repetitive
Basically a rendition of what most already know. Book speaks of not wasting time but I felt I just wasted my time
Basically a rendition of what most already know. Book speaks of not wasting time but I felt I just wasted my time
October 1, 2019
Loved it
May 11, 2020
Provides the basic steps to cultivate self-discipline. The book is very handy, although some steps are quite subjective.
September 27, 2021
I have read more inspiring books about self-discipline, but I got some very good tips out of it.
May 15, 2023
كتاب جميل ولطيف وفيه بعض التمارين المفيده جداً والعبارات المحفزه
الطرح فيه سهل جداً للقارئ ومبسط فكرة الانضباط ولكن يوجد بعض الفقرات التي تكرر فيها الكاتبه الفكره او تدور في حلقات حول موضوع معين
الطرح فيه سهل جداً للقارئ ومبسط فكرة الانضباط ولكن يوجد بعض الفقرات التي تكرر فيها الكاتبه الفكره او تدور في حلقات حول موضوع معين
October 26, 2020
Another 'sample size one' theory generalised to such vagueness that you are not even sure what the words mean any more. Is there any solid advice in there? Yes. Are there bad and/or self contradicting ones? Also yes, a ton in fact. If you have the wisdom to separate the two, you probably don't need this book. On the plus side, if you already have some life experience to know yourself, this might be a short read to give you the confidence to do right by yourself. Think motivational desk calendar, rather than a reliable and applicable methodology.
on-hold_partially-finished
August 1, 2018A client recently asked for what this book promises, but yeah, I can't make myself read it? I will, though. I promise. Meanwhile, client could finally be convinced that it's not that she needs to be more disciplined. That was good.
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