Developing Will Power and Self Discipline

Most people admire strong individuals, who have achieved great success by manifesting will power and self discipline. They admire people, who had the will power, self discipline and ambition to improve their life, learn new skills, overcome difficulties and hardships, lose weight, or rise high in their chosen field.

The truth is that everyone can reach high levels of will power and self-discipline through training and exercises.

Will power and self discipline are two of the most useful inner powers in everyone's life, and have always been considered as essential tools for success in all areas of life. They can be learned and developed like any other skill, however, only few take any steps to strengthen them.

What is will power?
It is the inner strength to make a decision, take action, and handle and execute any aim or task until it is accomplished, regardless of inner and outer resistance, discomfort or difficulties.

It is the power that overcomes laziness, temptations and negative habits. It gives you the strength to take action and do things, even if this required effort and you need to do unpleasant or tedious tasks.

What is self discipline?
It is the power that enables you to reject instant gratification and pleasure, in order to gain something better, but which requires effort and time in order to get it.

This power manifests as the ability to stick to actions, decisions or goals, in spite of obstacles or difficulties.

It is one of the pillars of success and power. It bestows the inner strength to focus all your energy on your goal, and persevere until it is accomplished.

The purpose of self-discipline is not to live a limited or a restricted lifestyle. It does not mean being narrow minded or living like a fakir.

Both of these abilities are required for daily actions and decisions, and also for making major decisions and attaining major success. They are required for doing a good job, for studying, building a business, losing weight, bodybuilding and physical exercises, maintaining good relationships, changing habits, self improvement, meditation, spiritual growth, keeping and carrying out promises and for almost everything else.

One of the most simple and effective methods to develop will power and self-discipline is by refusing to satisfy unimportant and unnecessary desires. Everyone is constantly confronted and tempted by an endless stream of desires and temptations, many of which are not really important or desirable. By learning to refuse to satisfy every one of them, you get stronger.

Refusing and rejecting useless, harmful or unnecessary desires and actions, and intentionally acting contrary to your habits, sharpen and strengthen your inner strength. By constant practice your inner power grows, just like exercising your muscles at a gym increases your physical strength. In both cases, when you need inner power or physical strength, they are available at your disposal.

Exercises for developing will power and self discipline:

• Don't read the newspaper for a day or two.
  
  
• Drink water when thirsty, in spite of your desire to have a soft drink.
  
  
• Walk up and down the stairs, instead of taking the lift.
  
  
• Get down from the bus one station before or after your destination, and walk the rest of the way.
  
  
• For one week, go to sleep one hour earlier than usual.
  
  
• If you like ice cream, don't have any, for a day or two.

These are only a few examples to show how you to develop your will power and self-discipline. You might think that practicing such exercises is being a little tough on yourself, but practicing them will only do you good. By following a systematic method of training you can reach far, have more control over yourself and your life, attain your goals, improve your life, and gain satisfaction and peace of mind.

Prove to yourself that you are strong and in control, and practice the above exercises for a little while, before passing any judgement on them.

Learn more about willpower and self discipline

About the Author

Remez Sasson is an author and blogger. He is the founder of SuccessConsciousness.com, a website and blog about self improvement and spiritual growth.

Remez Sasson is the author of several life transforming books, with a wealth of information, advice and guidance.