The concept of self-discipline – What is it? How do we get it? What makes it easier? Do we need it? If we once had it can we lose it? Where does it come from?

What is it?

Collins English Dictionary – Self-discipline is the ability to control yourself and to make yourself work hard or behave in a particular way without needing anyone else to tell you what to do. Exercising at home alone requires a tremendous amount of self-discipline.

Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries – the ability to make yourself do something, especially something difficult or unpleasant. It takes a lot of self-discipline to go jogging in winter.

Interesting looking at the two versions of the meaning of self-discipline where the Collins leans more towards “control yourself” as opposed to the Oxford learners dictionary saying “make yourself“.  Both dictionaries refer to self-discipline as an ability that means “to do something”.

Breaking the meaning of self-discipline further we understand that it involves self and discipline.

Self = type of person you are or basic personality.

Discipline = practice of training or practice of making.

This should be easy

Therefore if we want this positive quality in our life, it seems to be straight forward just by understanding what the words really mean. All we need to do is practice making or training our basic personality to control or make yourself do something.

For some of us, it’s not easy at all

We are all doing something but most of it does not compliment a positive quality in our lives.

How do we get it?

So we all need this ability or we can say that we would benefit from this positive quality.