Self Discipline

I have to admit I am normally quite wary of these kind of "motivational expert" types, but that list of questions does strike a note. I think I probably could fast for a day and I don't have any debts, but other than that I think I got the "wrong" answer for just about all of them.

I currently feel like I'm under achieving a lot, and realistically the only thing I can blame it on is laziness. I suppose last year I was quite pleased with myself - finishing off the PhD at last, and managing to get a reasonable job in Japan etc... but I think I am now back into an easy routine, and I can see myself having got out of one rut just so I can get back into another.

Thinking about it, it is not just laziness, it is also arrogance. I secretly think I am so great that an excellent high paying job will just land on my doorstep without me having to do anything. In reality I probably do need to put in a bit of effort.

I still have a bit of an ambition to have my own company, or at least be involved in a startup with some other people. My secret evil plan involves following digital TV round the world - the first company to establish itself in any new DTV market generally seems to make a killing. It turns out I was probably a bit late for Japan, but in my secret underground bunker (made from a hollowed out volcano) I have a scale model of Brazil, and whilst I'm sitting in my big chair, stroking my white fluffy cat, I look at it with greedy eyes.

I regard myself as fairly self-disciplined. We were taught to be, as youngsters. There is more to it than having a tidy bedroom. It's to do with 'self respect' and'internalised others'. Love Mum

John: I couldn't imagine what a person would be like that had the 'right' answer to all those questions; clearly some kind of no-shit robot.
I share your startup/own business ambitions, and find that self-discipline is one of the differences between just talking about it all the time and actually executing some kind of plan to do something.
ps. I've opted for a secret moonbase instead of a secret volcano lair, all the good ones had been taken.

Mum: what does 'internalised others' mean? Is that mini virtual copies of people in your head for empathy?

'Internalised others' are role models, I suppose.
I know Mums are naturally biased, but I think you had a high level of self-discipline when you were younger. Anyone who does a 'paper round' in all weathers, works at Pizza Hut, saves for an Apple Mac, goes to University, has to have self-discipline. If you really wanted to have it you would!!! (if you know what I mean).

There's also that other requirement of self-confidence. I think a lot of people are disciplined in their daily lives, just not confident enough to realise their dreams. We Brits for example, are generally self-deprecating too, as if apologising now for once having ruled most of the western world!! Come on Tim, you're a programmer! That needs discipline of the mental kind. And a "clean" programmer too!! That's just plain unusual ! :))

Great article. I am middling in self discipline. Given you list above, I prioritise those things I think to be important and then make sure those happen. And those things, I do well and reliably.

The story of the pitboss reminds me of an article in the Economist which outlined legislation in the US (Missouri, I think) where gamblers can voluntarily ban themselves from gaming houses. Once on the self-appointed black list, they cannot be removed and can even be given a fine from the state department for not adhering to their own discipline. This is a sort of soft paternalism. They won't stop you gambling unless you want them to stop you gambling. They're thinking of extending this to all types of vice: drinking, smoking, etc.

Is this really discipline, though? I think not. I think it's just putting society in control of your discipline. I think that the measure of someone's discipline is how they act when no-one is looking.

I don't have much of a desire to lead a startup company. I am happy to work within a team. I think I'd like to write stories for a living but that's not going to pay the bills for the moment. I might publish my Moggle stories or Icar in the future. Not for the moment, though.

Nigel: I think you're right. Another similar type problem, is the fear of success - knowing that if you did succeed, you'd have to make painful sacrifices, such as leaving a comfy job, or God forbid, doing so hard work!

Rob: I think you'd be a great author, you have the creativity. If you want to be a publisher, have you seen: http://www.lulu.com/uk/ They hold your book electronically, and print on demand. You could realise your dreams and publish Icar! I know you have most of it already written up.

I agree with Nigel's comments about self-confidence..... I wish I had more of it!

Well well, I am missing a bit of the action here! To be honest I completely botched most of the questions above, I guess that self discipline and Italians are two concepts that hardly go well together! (joking here).
I am very self discilined when it comes to work but on the personal matters I am quite slack.

On the other side I think that we are forced into discipline mosto of our lives and I think that our recondit desire of breaking the rules brings us to do all thoose things that we would rate "non disciplined".

Example. I know that I should wear shirts and ties at work, it enhances self respect, and others look at you differently. But I cannot give in with the concept that I am valued for what I wear and not for what I do (I cannot be valued for what I AM as they don't know me).
My sense of duty (and discipline I guess) tells me not to say swearwords at meetings, but "HEY, guess what?", I can't give a damn, it's just one of those unwritten rules that everyone follows, but that nobody understands... I mean, I am not overdoing it, just sometimes to enphasize concepts.

In the end I am seen as an outsider, but at least I am alive, and that keeps me going so that I can be more disciplined where and when it really matters!