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210 Attitude Quotes That Will Empower You In Your Life

Life is filled with inevitable ups and downs and it’s our attitude that determines how we ride the wave.Are you more of a glass half empty or half full type?Our attitudes, whether negative, positive or somewhere in between, affect every aspect of our lives from how we view the world to how we show up at work, in our relationships and most importantly, for ourselves.It’s no secret that maintaining a positive outlook not only makes us happier and healthier but it’s also the key to turning our dreams into reality.Similarly, welcoming more gratitude into our lives tends to shift our perspective and if practiced regularly, expressing thankfulness can help us cope through difficult times and ultimately transform our lives.The truth is, developing and maintaining a positive mindset takes work, especially when we have the natural tendency of reverting to negativity, but the good news is that we can train our brain to be more optimistic. freedom quoteIf you need a reminder of what you’re capable of, check out this list of 210 attitude quotes to find some inspiration:Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you. DALE CARNEGIEIf you can't change your fate, change your attitude. AMY TANMy attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength. MICHAEL JORDAN (How his mindset made him the greatest)When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. HENRY FORDYour attitude about who you are and what you have is a very little thing that makes a very big difference. THEODORE ROOSEVELTA healthy attitude is contagious but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier. TOM STOPPARDIt's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. HENRY DAVID THOREAU(More Thoreau quotes)Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity. WILLIAM JAMESSuccess is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. WINSTON CHURCHILLPain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. HARUKI MURAKAMISales are contingent upon the attitude of the salesman - not the attitude of the prospect. W. CLEMENT STONEI have this theory that, depending on your attitude, your life doesn't have to become this ridiculous charade that it seems so many people end up living. CHRISTIAN BALEOur life is what our thoughts make it. MARCUS AURELIUSAbility is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. LOU HOLTZTake the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new. OG MANDINOWe cannot choose the things that will happen to us. But we can choose the attitude we will take toward anything that happens. Success or failure depends on your attitude. ALFRED ARMAND MONTAPERT Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. THOMAS A. EDISONI think it's my adventure, my trip, my journey, and I guess my attitude is, let the chips fall where they may. Leonard NimoyAttitudes are more important than facts. GEORGE MACDONALDOne should always play fairly when one has the winning cards. OSCAR WILDELife is hard. Life is difficult. Life is going to punch you in the gut. But when you change your attitude, you change your behavior. When your behavior changes, so do your results. WILL HURDWhen you can’t change the direction of the wind — adjust your sails. H. JACKSON BROWN, JR.A stumbling block to the pessimist is a stepping-stone to the optimist. ELEANOR ROOSEVELTOur environment, the world in which we live and work, is a mirror of our attitudes and expectations. EARL NIGHTINGALEIt is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the path, and to proceed. RAM DASSLife is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it. ERNEST HOLMESYour attitude is either the lock on or the key to the door of success. DENIS WAITLEYAttitude is everything. DIANE VON FURSTENBERGYour mental attitude is something you can control outright and you must use self-discipline until you create a Positive Mental Attitude - your mental attitude attracts to you everything that makes you what you are. NAPOLEON HILLOften we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. HELLEN KELLEROur attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us. JOHN N. MITCHELLAny fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are. NORMAN VINCENT PEALEBut the attitude of faith is to let go, and become open to truth, whatever it might turn out to be. ALAN WATTSHappiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude. DALE CARNEGIEWhen you are thwarted, it is your own attitude that is out of order. MEISTER ECKHARTSeek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, 'This is the real me,' and when you have found that attitude, follow it. JAMES TRUSLOW ADAMSIf you can't change your fate, change your attitude. CHARLES REVSONAttitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. W.C. FIELDSThe winner's edge is not in a gifted birth, a high IQ, or in talent. The winner's edge is all in the attitude, not aptitude. Attitude is the criterion for success. DENIS WAITLEYIf you want small changes in your life, work on your attitude. But if you want big and primary changes, work on your paradigm. STEPHEN COVEYSuccess or failure in business is caused more by the mental attitude even than by mental capacities. WALTER SCOTTAttitude is your acceptance of the natural laws, or your rejection of the natural laws. STUART CHASEYou are the conductor of your own attitude! Nobody else can compose your thoughts for you. LEE J. COLANPositive attitude quotesHow would you rate your attitude? Keeping a positive attitude takes effort but making the conscious decision to look at the brighter side of life can have a profound impact on your well-being. We often forget that this simple shift in perspective is within our reach, but when harnessed properly, an optimistic outlook can help us move forward in the face of adversity and feel more fulfilled.Here are a few positive attitude quotes to help you get started.If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden. FRANCES HODGSON BURNETTAll of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. CHRISTIANO RONALDOLife is like riding a bicycle, you must keep moving. ROCKYTry not to become a man of success, but rather become a man of value.ALBERT EINSTEINSuccess consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.WINSTON CHURCHILLOur greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.CONFUCIUSIf you can dream it, you can do it.WALT DISNEYWith the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.ELEANOR ROOSEVELTLearn as if you will live forever, live like you will die tomorrow.GHANDIStay away from those people who try to disparage your ambitions.MARK TWAINJust one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.DALAI LAMAI am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.STEPHEN R. COVEYDo what you can, with what you have, where you are.THEODORE ROOSEVELTDo the best you can. No one can do more than that.JOHN WOODENAdopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one. HANS SELYEWe are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. OSCAR WILDETo be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have. KEN KEYES JR.The only disability in life is a bad attitude. Dale CarnegieChoose to be optimistic, it feels better. DALAI LAMAHe who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts. Samuel JohnsonA positive atmosphere nurtures a positive attitude, which is required to take positive action. RICHARD M. DEVOSI've always believed that you can think positive just as well as you can think negative. JAMES A. BALDWINA positive attitude is something everyone can work on, and everyone can learn how to employ it. JOAN LUNDENConvince yourself everyday that you are worthy of a good life. Let go of stress, breathe. Stay positive, all is well. GERMANY KENTThere is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. W. Clement StoneReject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears. MARCUS AURELIUSPerpetual optimism is a force multiplier. COLIN POWELLPeople deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom? THICH NHAT HANHBelieve you can and you're halfway there. THEODORE ROOSEVELTI always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter. WALT DISNEYA positive attitude can really make dreams come true – it did for me. DAVID BAILEYA strong positive attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug. PATRICIA NEALAlways keep that happy attitude. Pretend that you are holding a beautiful fragrant bouquet. EARL NIGHTINGALEEvery day may not be good, but there's something good in every day. UNKNOWNOnce you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results. WILLIE NELSONIf I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed. MAYA ANGELOUKeep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. MAHATMA GANDHIYour level of gratitude determines your level of happiness, as well as your potential for success. It's difficult to be happy without gratitude. BOB BURGIn order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision. DALAI LAMAI have found that if you love life, life will love you back. ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN Between the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll. The optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist the hole!OSCAR WILDEThings turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out. JOHN WOODENYou can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude. ELEANOR ROOSEVELTIt is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome. WILLIAM JAMESA happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes. HUGH DOWNSEvery day brings new choices. MARTHA BECKA positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results. WADE BOGGSIt isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it. DALE CARNEGIEThe meaning of things lies not in the things themselves, but in our attitude towards them. ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRYAny fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. NORMAN VINCENT PEALEAttitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. WINSTON CHURCHILLYou always have a choice, even if it is only a choice of your attitude.You always have a choice, even if it is only a choice of your attitude. HENRY FORDKeep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. HELEN KELLERChoose the positive. You have choice, you are master of your attitude, choose the positive, the constructive. Optimism is a faith that leads to success. BRUCE LEEAlways bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing. ABRAHAM LINCOLNBe happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more. MOTHER TERESABetween stimulus and response, there is a space where we choose our response. STEPHEN COVEYAttitude is everything, so pick a good one. WAYNE DYERHow do you nurture a positive attitude when all the statistics say you're a dead man? You go to work. PATRICK SWAYZEOur attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working twenty-four hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force. IRVING BERLINA positive attitude is not going to save you. What it's going to do is, everyday, between now and the day you die, whether that's a short time from now or a long time from now, that every day, you're going to actually live. ELIZABETH EDWARDSYour attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude. Zig ZiglarAll your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them. WALT DISNEYIf you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude. COLIN POWELLHappiness is an attitude of mind, born of the simple determination to be happy under all outward circumstances. JAMES DONALD WALTERSLearning to control and adjust your attitude to a positive one reflects wisdom of the mind. CATHERINE PULSIFERYour attitude is more important than your capabilities. Similarly, your decision is more important than your capabilities. JACK MAFor success, attitude is equally as important as ability. WALTER SCOTTA pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties. HARRY S. TRUMANYour attitude towards life influences your happiness, not what happens to you. THIBAUT MEURISSEI hope the millions of people I've touched have the optimism and desire to share their goals and hard work and persevere with a positive attitude. MICHAEL JORDANReally you just gotta keep chugging along and keep a positive attitude and get through all the problems. You gotta face them, otherwise you don't get through. LESLEY GOREThe most important decision you make is to be in a good mood. VOLTAIREEverything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. VIKTOR FRANKLThe greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude. OPRAH WINFREYSuccess or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon it becomes a reality. Act, look, feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results.William JamesPositive anything is better than negative nothing. ELBERT HUBBARDThe greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives. WILLIAM JAMESThere are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. ALBERT EINSTEIN A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before the change. EARL NIGHTINGALEA bad attitude is like a flat tire. If you don’t change it, you’ll never go anywhere.UNKNOWNYour living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. KHALIL GIBRANLike success, failure is many things to many people. With Positive Mental Attitude, failure is a learning experience, a rung on the ladder, a plateau at which to get your thoughts in order and prepare to try again. W. Clement StoneStrong women attitude quotesPowerful women throughout history paved the way forward for younger generations by consistently showing us that when a woman steps into her inner power, nothing can stand in her way.By now we all know strong women are an unstoppable force but what defines a strong woman, anyway? Well, it all comes down to her attitude. If you’re looking for some inspiration to take charge of your mindset and become the best version of yourself, check out our list of quotes by some of the most resilient female legends of all time.Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.AMELIA EARHARTSome people say I have attitude – maybe I do… but I think you have to. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does – that makes you a winner right there. VENUS WILLIAMSNo one can make you feel inferior without your consent. ELEANOR ROOSEVELTI am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept. ANGELA DAVISA really strong woman accepts the war she went through and is ennobled by her scars. CARLY SIMONCourage is like a muscle. We strengthen it by use. RUTH GORDONRun to the fire; don’t hide from it. Meg WhitmanPower is not given to you. You have to take it. Beyoncé KnowlesThe best protection any woman can have... is courage. ELIZABETH CADY STANTONAlways aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. And, when you stumble, keep faith. And, when you're knocked down, get right back up and never listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on. HILLARY CLINTONGrowth and comfort do not coexist. GINNI ROMETTYThe most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud. COCO CHANELOnly the gentle are ever really strong. JAMES DEANPermanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak. THOMAS CARLYLEIt took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent. MADELEINE ALBRIGHTLife shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. ANAIS NINIt is our choices... that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. J. K. ROWLINGA strong woman is a woman determined to do something others are determined not be done. MARGE PIERCY If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. MAYA ANGELOUThe most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. ALICE WALKERI’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning to sail my ship. LOUISA MAY ALCOTTBe a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else. JUDY GARLANDI've never met a woman who is not strong, but sometimes they don't let it out. Then there's a tragedy, and then all of a sudden that strength comes. My message is let the strength come out before the tragedy. DIANE VON FURSTENBERGWomen are like teabags. We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water. ELEANOR ROOSEVELTThe way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. DOLLY PARTONI can never be safe; I always try and go against the grain. As soon as I accomplish one thing, I just set a higher goal. That’s how I’ve gotten to where I am. BEYONCÉOptimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. HELEN KELLERA lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That’s why they don’t get what they want.MADONNAA woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult. MELINDA GATESIn our society, the women who break down barriers are those who ignore limits. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGERWe cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave – to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential. MALALA YOUSAFZAIThe thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it. ROSEANNE BARRShe was powerful not because she wasn’t scared but because she went on so strongly, despite the fear.ATTICUSWe need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead.BEYONCEI do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves. MARY SHELLEYStop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be. ELIZABETH GILBERTI feel there is something unexplored about woman that only a woman can explore. GEORGIA O’KEEFEEThink like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness. OPRAH WINFREYStrength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGERAttitude of gratitude quotesWhen was the last time you took time to reflect on what you’re grateful for in life? It may feel forced at first but developing an attitude of gratitude is a crucial ingredient for a happier life.It’s easy to overlook life’s simple pleasures, but learning to appreciate the little things really helps us bounce back when things don’t go our way. Let these attitude of gratitude quotes remind you to make it a priority.Wealth can also be that attitude of gratitude with which we remind ourselves everyday to count our blessings. CHRIS GARDNERDo not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.EPICURUSGratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. MELODY BEATTIEAlways have an attitude of gratitude. STERLING K. BROWNI don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains. ANNE FRANKThe attitude of gratitude revitalizes the entire mental process by activating all other attitudes, thus stimulating creativity. NORMAN VINCENT PEALEBe present in all things and thankful for all things. MAYA ANGELOUI am grateful for all those people who said no. It is because of them that I did it myself. Practice an attitude of gratitude. You can either be miserable dwelling on the troubles you have or grateful for the ones you don't have. Your troubles don't care but it makes a huge difference in your life. MICHAEL JOSEPHSONLet us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful. BUDDHAWhen you start noticing even a small portion of all there is to be grateful for, you'll find there is no room for lack, hurt, or want. The attitude of gratitude: the great, full feeling. PETER MCWILLIAMSLet us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. MARCEL PROUSTIt's your outlook on life that counts. If you take yourself lightly and don't take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver. BETTY WHITEIf you want to find happiness, find gratitude. STEVE MARABOLIThe hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. ERIC HOFFERWear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life.RUMIA lot of times people look at the negative side of what they feel they can't do. I always look on the positive side of what I can do. CHUCK NORRISGratitude unlocks the fullness of life. MELODY BEATTIEGratitude opens the door to the power, the wisdom, the creativity of the universe. You open the door through gratitude. DEEPAK CHOPRAEvery blessing ignored becomes a curse. PAULO COELHOA grateful mind is a great mind which eventually attracts to itself great things.PLATOWhen you are grateful, fear disappears, and abundance appears. TONY ROBBINSBe thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. OPRAH WINFREYThe greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.SENECAWe can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. THORNTON WILDERAs we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. JOHN F. KENNEDYSo much has been given to me; I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied. HELEN KELLERA thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.CICERONow is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is. ERNEST HEMINGWAYGratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy. JACQUES MARITAINIf a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get.FRANK A. CLARKHe is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.EPICTETUSThe last of human freedoms - the ability to choose one's attitude, especially an attitude of gratitude in a given set of circumstances, especially in difficult circumstances. VIKTOR E. FRANKLLearn to pay attention to your body with the relaxed attitude of gratitude, trust, curiosity and unconditional love rather than being pushed around by habit, fear, anxiety, social customs, other people's schedules and other people's ideas about what is good for you. WALLACE D. WATTLESOf all the 'attitudes' we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing. ZIG ZIGLARWe often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. CYNTHIA OZICKAn attitude of gratitude creates blessings. JOHN TEMPLETONStormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. MAYA ANGELOUFind a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain. JOSEPH CAMPBELLTrain yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude. ALBERT SCHWEITZERLive every day with an attitude of gratitude. TONY ROBBINSBoth abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend. SARAH BAN BREATHNACHCultivate an attitude of gratitude, of giving and forgiving. Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. RALPH WALDO EMERSONA sunny temper [an attitude of gratitude for what blessings and mercies there are] gilds the edges of life's blackest cloud. THOMAS GUTHRIEGratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. WILLIAM ARTHUR WARDAn attitude of gratitude brings great things. HARBHAJAN SINGH YOGIGratitude can turn a meal into a feast. MELODY BEATTIEWhen a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude. ELIE WIESELWhen you view your world with an attitude of gratitude, you are training yourself to focus on the good in life. PAUL J. MEYER

Developing Self-Discipline: A Comprehensive Guide
Diet & Exercise

Developing Self-Discipline: A Comprehensive Guide

There are plenty of misconceptions about discipline. The word alone might conjure images of unforgiving high school teachers or being told off by people of authority. Self-discipline, then, might appear heartless or harsh, a way of relentlessly pushing yourself or keeping yourself in line. However, to practice self discipline, and to find ways to improve your self discipline over time, can be a vital part of achieving your goals and living a life of purpose. From this perspective, building self discipline is a quality most people should want to cultivate in themselves. Improving on your own: Self discipline todayAt times, self-discipline can feel like an impossible task, while a lack of self-discipline can become a reason to be overly self-critical. If you’re lacking in self-discipline, start by accepting where you’re at. Allow the frustration to be a catalyst for change, and know that self-discipline is a skill that can be learned. Here, we’ll explain how.We’ll provide you with an overview of the nature of self-discipline, along with practical tips to start integrating healthy habits into your day-to-day life. We’ll explore a few myths that can keep you stuck, as well as a few tweaks that will help you build momentum and belief in your ability to be self-disciplined.What is self-discipline?Let’s start by defining exactly what self-discipline is, and the difference between it and self-control. Although they’re very similar, there is a difference. The definitions provided by the American Psychological Association are:Self-discipline: “resolute adherence to a regimen or course of action in order to achieve one's goals.”Self-control: “the ability to be in command of one’s behavior (overt, covert, emotional, or physical) and to restrain or inhibit one’s impulses. In circumstances in which short-term gain is pitted against long-term greater gain, self-control is the ability to opt for the long-term outcome. Choosing the short-term outcome is called impulsiveness.”Another way of phrasing this is that self-control is the opposite of acting on impulse. It’s a form of restraint that arises in situations where there is a temptation. Examine your own life, and you’ll find that there are any number of examples where this could apply. Think about your exercise habits, your addiction to junk food, your ability to stay focused and stay motivated, and the type of decision making skills you have. Do you have the power to stop a bad habit, and encourage good habits? A lack of self-discipline is acting in a way that prioritizes short-term pleasure over long-term gain. Self-discipline is the commitment to making these behaviors and habits part of your toolkit.Why is self-discipline important?Any meaningful goal requires some element of struggle or short-term sacrifice to attain. This includes daily activities and life milestones. For example, imagine you get hungry. You have all the ingredients in your fridge to make a healthy, nourishing meal. An effort is required to prepare and cook the food, but the result is a delicious meal at the fraction of the cost of eating out. Not only do you save money, but you add healthy eating habits to your life, a great thing for your mind and your body.Another example: You decide you’d like to wake up early on weekends and start a new hobby. Self-discipline is required to turn down opportunities to go out late partying the evening before, it’s required to make sure you wake up on time, and it’s required to turn away from the million tiny distractions along every step of the way.Self discipline is important because it can apply to any part of your life. Want to quit smoking? Limit your online shopping? Learning how to be more disciplined and remove temptations is one of the most important things you can do. The power of self control(Getty)Finding ways to improve your self-discipline is increasingly important because we’re living in an age where we’re conditioned for instant gratification. We’re able to order almost any product online for next-day delivery, stream any film, TV show, or song immediately, even contact someone on the other side of the world in seconds.While there are benefits to this streamless convenience, there are downsides when it comes to self-control. “The need for round-the-clock connection not only makes people more impatient, it also robs them of time for quiet reflection or deeper, more critical thinking,” Ronald Alsop writes for Bucknell University. “They tend to want constant stimulation, have less impulse control and get distracted more easily.”Unsurprisingly, a study from last year has demonstrated a link between smartphone usage and impulsive behavior. “Our findings provide further evidence that smartphone use and impulsive decision-making go hand in hand and that engagement with these devices needs to be critically examined by researchers to guide prudent behavior,” the authors wrote.There’s good news and bad news. I’m a bad news first type of person — we live in a culture that primes us to seek instant gratification. Our environment is rich with elements that don’t promote self-discipline. The good news? A little self-awareness goes a long way. And when you know what’s holding you back, you get a better idea of how to move forwards.Two types of self-discipline: Compassionate and militantA misconception with discipline is that it's extreme. What comes to mind might be the 4AM wakeups, cold showers, and hyper-productivity for successful people. I’ve been there, and although I enjoyed it for a period of time, eventually I felt the negative impact and decided to find a healthier approach to self-discipline.It turns out that, like many areas in life, self-discipline is a practice of balance.During a session with my coach, it surfaced that my approach to self-discipline was unforgiving. I was using the label of self-discipline as a way of pushing myself excessively — discipline had become a form of perfectionism. In that session, my coach asked me to personify the part of my psyche responsible for discipline.What came to mind was the drill sergeant from Full Metal Jacket. My approach to self-discipline was self-critical. I was pushing myself to succeed. I discovered that this militant approach was developed as a coping mechanism from when I had depression; I knew I needed to become super disciplined to set up healthy habits, such as giving up alcohol, meditating regularly, and eating well.Eventually, I realized this approach was creating high levels of stress. Then I had a huge insight: my self-discipline was lacking compassion. What if I could be self-disciplined with compassion? I started to view discipline as compassion for my future self.This shift in perspective encourages self-discipline in a more relaxed approach. The discipline to exercise or eat well, for example, can be undertaken with a sense of joy, knowing your future self will reap the rewards. Keeping your future self in mind allows you to find the motivation to have the required to carry out activities and make the active decisions that prioritize long-term gain over short-term comfort.Two perspectives: Moving away and moving towardsBuilding upon the above perspective shift, it’s worth exploring the polarities of self-discipline. Typically, the motivation for setting goals comes in two forms: moving away from something undesired, or moving towards something desired. The foundation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is to connect deeply to values and to focus on moving towards who you want to be, and how you want to act.So often in life, we act in order to move away from unwanted emotions. This creates a passive, reactive way of living. We feel restless or bored, so we pick up our phone, watch Netflix, or browse social media. We wish to avoid feelings of anxiety or stress, so we do all we can to avoid conflict or difficult conversations, at the expense of our needs.This is where values play an important role in living the life you truly want. If you value productivity, for example, you can connect to this value when looking to wake up early, or say no to some opportunities in order to pursue your goals. Having fewer distractions and creating more time for achievements is a way to accomplish your to-do list.This shift is deeply rewarding, because it influences each and every decision you make. Every choice becomes a purposeful act in aligning with values. The discipline to connect in this way then leads to freedom.To practice self-discipline is to gain freedomSelf-discipline and freedom seem like contradictory terms. If you’re disciplined, aren’t you lacking in spontaneity, and choosing structure and focus ahead of freedom? In the words of Leonardo da Vinci: “You will never have a greater or lesser dominion than that over yourself...the height of a man's success is gauged by his self-mastery; the depth of his failure by his self-abandonment.”It’s safe to say da Vinci knew a thing or two about discipline, as a renowned polymath who created incessantly in a multitude of fields. Self-mastery requires many things, including awareness and inquiry. But self-discipline is the will to choose to honor oneself and your goals. Life can easily feel chaotic and out of control. Yet gaining self-mastery through discipline is one way of gaining a sense of empowerment over life. For example, having the discipline to set boundaries or create a new habit leads to living in alignment with what feels authentic. Discipline with your time means more space to prioritize what’s meaningful. That’s where freedom lies.Former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink clearly agrees — his book, Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual, is a bestseller. “While Discipline and Freedom seem like they sit on opposite sides of the spectrum, they are actually very connected. Freedom is what everyone wants — to be able to act and live with freedom. But the only way to get to a place of freedom is through discipline,” he told Forbes.How to develop self-discipline Hopefully, by now, you have a clearer understanding of self-discipline. You understand its benefits and the way to integrate it for long-term success. Maybe you’re even feeling motivated and enthused for making a significant shift towards achieving goals you never felt possible. Now, let’s move onto practical steps you can apply to develop self-discipline:Start by exploring why self-discipline is importantSomething brought you here, right now, to read this article on self-discipline. Why? The first step is to acknowledge the wish to develop self-discipline. The next step is to find the underlying motivation. You might feel that you’re not meeting goals you wish to achieve, you might feel you’re acting impulsively in ways that are detrimental to your physical or mental health. Either way, start by clearly acknowledging the wish to develop self-discipline. Frame this wish positively and tune into the emotionReturning to my earlier experience with militant self-discipline, the driving force was moving away from unhelpful habits. But it was done so with an undercurrent of frustration, guilt, and even fear. While the desire to move away from certain behaviors can be a catalyst to change, developing long-term self-discipline requires a positive framework and emotions. In other words — find something you feel excited for, and tap into that energy. For example, you might exercise to lose weight or to move away from poor health. But what if you could connect with a feeling of excitement and enthusiasm towards being healthy? What activities could you then do? How would your life benefit?Connect to your valuesFinding something to connect to, something to get enthused by, is supported by having clarity around your values. As mentioned above, this helps to withstand short-term discomfort for long-term fulfillment — some feat for a culture that promotes instant gratification! Values aren’t rigid, fixed labels. They’re ever-evolving networks of meaning. For example, I used to think I exercised because I valued health. But recently, I realized this value was an umbrella term. What I also value are commitment, consistency, dedication, and resilience.Visualise long-term rewards A vision of where you’d like to be acts as a North Star. Rather than move away from what you don’t want, it allows you to be pulled towards what you do. This is extra important when it comes to self-discipline, as it acts as a reminder that the perceived sacrifices or short-term losses are working towards something greater.Some questions to consider: how would your life change if you were more self-disciplined? What do you see yourself achieving? What type of person will you be? Really bring these images to life. Imagine yourself stepping into the shoes of this future vision of you.Tilt the odds in your favorIf your cupboard is filled with high-sugar snacks, it’s going to be harder to be self-disciplined with food. If your phone is on your desk, illuminating and buzzing with each notification, it’s going to be hard to remain disciplined enough to enter flow and perform deep work. The point is: there are ways to make self-discipline easier by removing obstacles.This theory is backed up by behavioral psychology. Kurt Lewin, one of the pioneers in the field, provided a framework known as force field analysis. All situations, Lewin proposed, have two forces: helping forces and hindering forces. The former helps support goals, the latter blocks goals and gets in the way.Through his research, Lewin discovered removing barriers was most effective. So consider: what barriers are getting in the way of self-discipline? For example, if you want to establish a morning routine, you’ll have to refine your evenings by going to sleep earlier. If you stay up watching Netflix, move all your digital devices outside of the bedroom! And, in the morning, wait until your routine is complete to turn on your phone.Reframe the behaviors you’re looking to avoid or encourageThe marshmallow test is one of psychology’s most well-known tests. Conducted in the 60s and 70s by Walter Mischel, the experiment involved telling children that they could eat one marshmallow placed in front of them, or two later, if they were patient and waited. The children who resisted the temptation displayed lots of positive outcomes later in life.Mischel found that a common trait in those with resistance was to mentally “cooling” the “hot” aspects of the temptation. Creating mental distance — for example, imagining the marshmallow as a cloud — leads to greater resilience. “If we have the skills to allow us to make discriminations about when we do or don’t do something, when we do or don’t drink something, and when we do and when we don’t wait for something, we are no longer victims of our desires,” Mischel told the New Yorker. Habits, habits, habitsThe above point leads us nicely into this step — building healthy habits. The more ingrained certain behaviors become, the easier they are to stick to, and eventually, they become second nature. By being conscious about your habits, and making sure they align with your goals helps to internalize self-discipline.Consider what habits you can look to cultivate to support your goals. This includes habits that remove barriers and those that make the attainment of your goals easier. These don’t have to be significant. As James Clear says in Atomic Habits: “All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision.”Even seemingly small habits, such as getting your running outfit ready and waiting the evening before a morning run, or placing your alarm clock over the other side of the room to make sure you get out of bed on time, pay off big-time in the long-term.Consciously work on delayed gratificationThe marshmallow test is a nice metaphor for the value of delaying gratification. In the experiment, the reward was double the amount of marshmallows. In life, there are many “double marshmallow” rewards that follow delayed gratification (bare with me). The ability to delay rewards can’t be understated — a recent study published in the journal Frontier in psychology found delayed gratification to be one of the most important indicators of success.This is developed like a muscle. Keep strengthening your ability to delay gratification, and you’ll find that it becomes second nature. To start with, though, consciously make the decision to work on this. Don’t go all-out from the beginning — if you find yourself eating chocolate daily, see if you can move to every other day, and work up from there.Or try starting with one activity. A few years ago, I decided to join an old-school video rental store. I was practicing delayed gratification, and I wanted to experiment with the difference between this approach and browsing Netflix. I’d choose an evening to watch a film, then travel to the store, spend time browsing the aisles, pick one film on Blu-Ray, travel back, and make a ritual out of the process.Admittedly, this confused some of my friends. But the whole process was worth it! By being mindful of each step and fully committing to one movie, I enjoyed the experience so much more than randomly choosing a film at the click of a button.Keep compassion in mindEven a self-discipline regime requires a healthy dose of compassion and some well-deserved time off. This isn’t about being super strict, 24/7, but getting the balance right so you feel good about your ability to stick to goals and overcome short-term pleasure for long-term fulfillment. Trying to be disciplined all the time is likely to lead to burnout, so remember to take breaks.Above all else, always keep one eye on the vision you’re working towards, and the “future you” who will benefit from those actions. As an additional step, I like to acknowledge my past self when I receive the benefits of hard work I’ve put into the past. It can be as simple as enjoying leftovers from a meal you cooked the evening before. The aim is to build a feedback loop, where you look forward to helping yourself and thank yourself for doing so.Perhaps the biggest area of compassion, though, is when it comes to lapses in discipline. For me this was the biggest indicator I needed to ramp up my self-compassion — each time I’d “fail” in being disciplined, I’d be overly harsh on myself. So remember, you’re only human. And if you slip up, forgive yourself, and get back into your routine as quickly as you can.Take time off to indulgeIn psychology, ego depletion is the term given to the phenomena where willpower decreases over time. In other words, willpower comes from a place of limited resources. Part of having compassion on the path of developing self-discipline is to understand that there is space for time away from self-discipline. This is a practice to integrate into your regime. You can view it as a “cheat day,” though it doesn’t have to be exclusively related to food.That means if you’re dieting and exercising, enjoy the occasional treat or break from the gym. If you’re studying, find time for play. Self-discipline doesn’t have to come at the cost of fun! But you’ll find, over the long term, if you’re able to increase your self-discipline, you’ll be able to enjoy the times you enjoy even more.Have you been strict with your media consumption? Indulge in a binge-watching session! Been exercising and eating well? Take a session off the gym and enjoy a takeaway. Even Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s most elite athletes, enjoys pizza as a guilty pleasure! In conclusionIn a world of increasing comfort and instant gratification, a lack of self-discipline is becoming the norm. But you’re not here for that, are you? In order to work towards meaningful goals, a healthy degree of self-discipline is required. The aim isn’t to become super militant or unforgiving towards yourself, but to introduce more self-serving habits and behaviors.The beauty of self-discipline is that it’s reinforcing. Once you begin to prioritize long-term goals, the sense of fulfillment in itself will act as a reminder of why you made those small short-term sacrifices. That, in turn, will increase the intrinsic motivation towards having self-control.As these behaviors become habitual, self-discipline will become your second nature, giving you a renewed sense of purpose and a sense of freedom.

Denzel Washington - You Already Have It (Inspirational)
Motivation

Denzel Washington - You Already Have It (Inspirational)

Denzel Washington gives an inspiring speech on how each and every one of us has a different gift and we have to use them to reach our goals. Transcript: You never see a U-Haul behind a hearse. So, it's not how much you have, it's what you do with what you have. And we all have different gifts. Some money, some love, some patience, some ability to touch people. But we all have it. Use it. Share it. That's what counts. Understand this also, you have these dreams and as Kenny said, "Dreams without goals "remain dreams, just dreams, "and, ultimately fuel disappointment." Dreams without goals, yearly goals, life goals, daily goals, monthly goals, hourly goals, minute-by-minute goals. Dreams without goals are just dreams. And they ultimately fuel disappointment. Goals on the road to achievement cannot be achieved without discipline and consistency. And we all have that unique gift to go out and touch people, to affect people. Understand that gift, protect that gift, appreciate that gift, utilize that gift. Don't abuse that gift, treasure it. You have it, you already have it." - Denzel Washington