What is self-discipline?

Self-discipline is the ability to control one’s emotions, impulses, desires and behavior. It is being able to resist the desire for instant gratification in favour of gaining the long-term satisfaction and fulfillment from achieving higher and more meaningful goals.

What are the benefits of self-discipline?

• It helps build self-confidence.
• You accomplish more and are therefore more productive.
• You are able to maintain a higher tolerance for frustration, challenges and negative emotions.
• Allows you to obtain better health, better finances and a good work ethic.
• You are able to reach your most difficult goals more efficiently.
• The more disciplined you become, the easier life gets.

How to develop self-discipline

1. Start slowly

In exercise, if you try to do too much at once, you could injure yourself and have a setback. Likewise, take it one step at a time in building self-discipline. Just as it takes time to build muscle, so does it take time to develop self-discipline. The more you train and build it, the stronger you become. So, begin by making the decision to go forward and learning what it takes to get there.

2. Learn what motivates you

Learn what energizes and motivates you. Your willpower can go up and down with your energy levels so play energetic music to pick you up, move around, laugh, exercise. Surround yourself with soothing and encouraging items such as motivating slogans and pictures of what you want to achieve. Train yourself to enjoy what you are doing by being energized. This will make it easier to implement desirable and appropriate behaviors into your routine – which is really what self-discipline is all about.

3. Identify your weaknesses

Sometimes it is very difficult to fight off urges and cravings, so know the areas where your resistance is low and how to avoid those situations. If you know you can’t resist sweets, cake, fatty foods or other temptations – stay away from them. Remove the temptations and/or stay away from situations where you know your will power is weak.

4. Make positive behaviours a routine

Did you know that a new action practiced everyday can become a habit in just 30 days! Once you have decided what’s important to you and which goals to strive for, establish a daily routine that will help you achieve them. For example, if you want to eat healthily or lose weight; resolve to eat several servings of fruits and vegetables each day and exercise for at least half an hour. Make it part of your daily routine and part of your self-discipline building. Likewise, get rid of some of your bad, self-defeating habits, whatever they may be. They can put you in a negative frame of mind and hinder your self-discipline. A poor attitude can also be a bad habit.

5. Engage in sports or physical activities

Sports and martial arts are an excellent way to enhance self-discipline. They train you to set goals, focus your mental and emotional energies, become physically fit, and to get along well with others. Participating in sports and martial arts provides a situation where you learn to work hard and strive to do your best, which in turn, teaches you to integrate the same the thought processes and disciplines into your everyday life. The focus, repetition, and application required in learning a sport or martial art is invaluable to developing self-discipline which can benefit you in all areas of your life.

6. Get inspiration from those you admire

Identify those people that you admire and that may have achieved goals similar to your own. Look for a role model and or mentor who can give you the belief and will power to develop the self-discipline you will need to achieve your goals. This could be a friend, family member, sports coach, teacher, or even a famous celebrity or sports personailty.

7. Identify your goals

Think carefully about what goals you would like to achieve in both the short term and long term. Set goals in all areas of your life for health, wealth, relationships as well as for personal fullfilment. Remember to write your goals down and to post them somewhere prominent as a constant reminder for you and continued motivation.

8. Visualize the rewards

There is nothing more gratifying than accomplishing your goals. Practice the technique that high achievers and top athletes do. Project yourself in the future. Visualize your desired outcome. Feel how rewarding it is and the countless benefits you will enjoy. Remind yourself what it takes to get there.

Remember that you need patience to develop self-discipline but the sooner you start the better.

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Chinese proverb

What makes Family Martial Arts Centres different?

How can we help you and/or your child develop self-discipline?

Studying Martial is an incredibly effective way for developing self-discipline. Many traditional styles including Karate, Judo, Taekwondo and Kung Fu will have teaching styles and philosophys that promote self-discipline. Here at Family Martial Arts Centres we teach traditional martial arts, specifically a Korean martial art called Tang Soo Do whose roots date back 2,000 years! It’s techniques have been proven in actual battle and although this may not be necessary today, it has proven itself to be the modern day advantage to achieve success in all areas of your life by developing self-discipline and self-belief.

How do we do this?

1. Traditional Martial Arts

We teach a traditional martial art using traditional teaching techniques. We employ a traditional coloured belt rank system that is goal oriented and promotes self-discipline.

2. Leadership

Family Martial Arts Centres is a Blackbelt Leadership Academy, and this means it is our goal for all of our students to become leaders NOT followers.

3. Self-Improvement Record

We promote self-discipline in our younger members through the use of our self-improvement records. These encourage good behaviour and self-discipline at home and at school.

4. Multiple Life Skills

We teach mutiple life skills to beginners including self-discipline using a workbook and a belt tag system.

5. Goal Setting

Students are taught about the positive benefits of goal setting, how to set goals and how to develop the discipline to achieve them.