Here is the link.
Some interesting parts:
The way to build self-discipline is analogous to using progressive
weight training to build muscle. This means lifting weights that are
close to your limit. Note that when you weight train, you lift weights
that are within your ability to lift. You push your muscles until they
fail, and then you rest.
Comment: This seems to be true for some things, but not others. Example: I can be disciplined for meditation and exercise, but not, say, IT study.
It’s a mistake to try to push yourself too hard when trying to build
self-discipline. If you try to transform your entire life overnight by
setting dozens of new goals for yourself and expecting yourself to
follow through consistency starting the very next day, you’re almost
certain to fail. This is like a person going to the gym for the first
time ever and packing 300 pounds on the bench press. You will only look
silly.
Again, I'm not sure how true this is. If I set a goal of 30 minutes meditation, and 30 minutes exercise, I will do those goals, but if I set a goal of 10 minutes guitar playing (which I love) or 10 minutes IT study (which is okay, interesting), that I don't do.
So something else is going on, besides building the "self-discipline" muscle.
Similarly, if you’re very undisciplined right now, you can still use
what little discipline you have to build more. The more disciplined you
become, the easier life gets. Challenges that were once impossible for
you will eventually seem like child’s play. As you get stronger, the
same weights will seem lighter and lighter.
Perhaps you try to work a solid 8-hour day without succumbing to
distractions, and you can only do it once. The next day you fail
utterly. That’s OK. You did one rep of 8 hours. Two is too much for
you. So cut back a bit. What duration would allow you to successfully
do 5 reps (i.e. a whole week)? Could you work with concentration for
one hour a day, five days in a row? If you can’t do that, cut back to
30 minutes or whatever you can do. If you succeed (or if you feel that
would be too easy), then increase the challenge (i.e. the resistance).
That example simply isn't my reality. My own experience is, you truly need at least 30 days, maybe 90, for a new practice to become habitual. (This is also something that Pavlina says, which is true, in my experience.)
But what will happen with a "new" practice, practiced independently, is that I'll keep it up for a few days, then fall off the wagon, then sporadically continue, until I give up again. (Or come back to that practice a couple of weeks later.)
So, in my case at least (and I'm being honest here about my lack of self-discipline) it seems to me that there are two options, for those who obviously never learned true self-discipline, but simply learned enough to "get by".
a. Immersion: Especially for any new trait, the "AA" route is useful. Full immersion, and daily support, for the new trait you are attempting to instill - until it becomes a habit.
b. Immersion again - in a program to learn "self-discipline" as a trait, in and of itself, separate from any actual practice.
c. Bill mentioned this once - work with one's psychology, or inner voices, to understand what inside of one's psychology is indulging in self-sabatoge of growth.
I would criticize Stve Pavlina, actually, from presenting a "system", or a guide of how-to's, that in a lot of ways, "assumes the close". Meaning, assumes the self-discipline already exists, with which to "improve".
The A to B straight line of self-improvement that Pavlina endorses, while sounding wonderful, glosses over the challenges to the "normal" person. As such, is of very limited use, to effectively creating change.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
This Month
Recent Articles
Integral Views
Month Archive
Recent Photos
|
Steve Pavlina on Self-Discipline (and my thoughts on the power of Habit)
Comments
Re: Steve Pavlina on Self-Discipline (and my thoughts on the power of Habit)
by
Per
on Mon 12 Mar 2007 11:46 AM PDT | Permanent Link
There are obviously many ways to approach this.
Since I have been into different inquiry approaches for a while, that comes to mind first (for instance The Work.) There is often not a "lack of discipline" that prevents us from doing something, but some beliefs we have wrapped around whatever we want to do (and parts of these are probably not conscious at first.) It may also be that we think we want to do it but, when we are clearer, see that we don't, or the other way around. Marshall Rosenberg has a good way to work with this: write down a list of your ten least favorite things to do (or anything you procrastinate around), then write the have-tos around this (I have to... because), and then change it to want-tos (I want to... because). It helps clarify our motivation for doing something, and also helps us see what we can let go of on our to-do list. I think I'll call the bank now, which I have put off for several days...! Re: Re: Steve Pavlina on Self-Discipline (and my thoughts on the power of Habit)
by
ebuddha
on Sat 24 Mar 2007 11:55 PM PDT | Profile | Permanent Link
Hey Per,
Just getting back to some of this now - was away from the computer, except briefly, til just now - You are correct to bring in the beliefs, that limit. Another way to "view" the different beliefs, is as voices, and Voice Dialogue is useful for that. Thanks also for the tip on Marshall Rosenberg, I'll have to try that. Re: Steve Pavlina on Self-Discipline (and my thoughts on the power of Habit)
by
marcia siegel
on Wed 14 Mar 2007 01:51 PM PDT | Permanent Link
i think one way to start self discipline is through organization. organize your day by writing down what you want to accomplish. then get going..
Re: Re: Steve Pavlina on Self-Discipline (and my thoughts on the power of Habit)
by
ebuddha
on Sat 24 Mar 2007 11:58 PM PDT | Profile | Permanent Link
That is definitely an important part of self-discipline. when I am in an "organization", and thus my day is organized, becomes much easier, as I surrender to the outer forces whereby I must do something!
Trackbacks
TrackBack URL: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||