I have added a page to the website, with quotes on self discipline from various sources and writers. You can read them at:
quotes on self discipline.

Here are a few of the quotes:

Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s going to be forward, backwards, or sideways.
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Self-discipline is crucial to a simpler, more contented life.
Tenzin Gyatso

In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves…self-discipline with all of them came first.
Harry S Truman

Discipline really means our ability to get ourselves to do things when we don’t want
Arden Mahlberg

By constant self-discipline and self-control you can develop greatness of character.
Grenville Kleiser

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Following the previous post, “Why You Need Self Discipline”, I would like to clarify several points, since it seems that are some misunderstandings of what self discipline is.

Some people believe that self discipline means being austere, severe and harsh on yourself and toward others. This is completely untrue! You can possess self discipline, and yet be loving, kind, considerate, open-minded and full of joy.

Self discipline is not some sort of senseless limitation that you put on yourself.

It is not an act of limiting your freedom of choice. On the contrary, doing whatever you feel like doing is not freedom at all. Acting on a whim, doing whatever you feel like doing at the moment is lack of freedom of choice, because this means acting in response to subconscious programming, and in reaction to external situations. It means that other people’s thoughts, words and actions move you to action, and not your judgment and common sense. This behavior doesn’t lead to inner and spiritual freedom.

The self discipline I am talking about is not a state of being cold, harsh, limited and conservative, as has been construed in various societies. It has nothing to do with self undoing, senseless suppression, bottling up feelings, being narrow-minded or lacking of freedom. It is a process in which your higher nature decides what to do and how to act. It is a power which everyone can develop to a greater or lesser degree.

Read the rest of this entry »

Why do you need self discipline? What can it do for you, and is it worth the effort of developing it?

Here are a few reasons why you need self discipline:

1. Self-discipline builds inner strength, character and stability.

2. It helps you control appetite, impatience, anger and instinctive reactions.

3. It enables you to resist all kinds of unnecessary temptations, such as overeating, watching too much TV, gossiping, gambling or taking unnecessary risks.

4. Possessing self discipline enhances considerably your chances of achieving success in whatever you do.

5. All the good things in life need time to grow and yield fruit, which means you need tolerance, patience and persistence, all of which are the by-product of self discipline. This ability can help you in business, at work, in study, in sport, in meditation and in everything else.

6. People nowadays want instant results and instant gratification, but this is not always possible. People who excel in their chosen field usually study, make experiments, make mistakes and learn from them. They often prepare and train themselves, sometimes even for years, such as in sports for example. If they lacked discipline, which supplies inner strength and patience, they would have given up in the early stages.

7. A person with a disciplined mind controls what he/she says, and can therefore keep good relationships with other people.

8. A self disciplined person usually commands respect from other people, and doesn’t easily feel hurt or insulted by what people say or do.

9. A self disciplined person has more control over his/her thoughts and reactions.

10. With this ability it is easier to go through life and achieve goals.

This list can go on and on…

More about developing self discipline
Full duidance and exercises