Why Self-Discipline is so Difficult

Unraveling the Psychological Complexities Behind Our Struggle for Control

Think about all the times you said things like “I need to drink more water”, or “I need to do more reading.” While these issues can feel more like mild irritations than wider life issues most of the time, they’re all reflective of one thing: your self-discipline. Essentially, it’s the continuation of good, healthy habits that ultimately improve your life. Put it this way, when life is running smoothly: work is flowing, you’re not making silly mistakes and you feel positive within yourself and your relationships — everything is the culmination of self-discipline.

Each time you put yourself in a position to win, you’re profiting from all of the previous times you’ve shown a sense of self-discipline. Without that trait, it’s easy to slip up and break a disciplined streak. The only person who can hold you accountable is you, potentially causing self-deprecation to creep in too. It’s important not to let that happen.