Mind Over Matter: The Self-Discipline to Execute Without Excuses, Control Your Impulses, and Keep Going When You Want to Give Up (Live a Disciplined Life Book 11)

by Peter Hollins

In the pursuit of self-discipline, we want to increase the pleasure in every long-term duty or obligation we have and lessen the pain. There are a series of steps we can use to do this strategically. 1. Decide what you want. What is your goal that requires self-discipline? It can be as simple as working out more. 2. Take inventory of your pain and pleasure. This is where you take aspects of the pleasure principle and start massaging them to your benefit. Here’s what you do: Take two sheets of paper. Draw a line down the middle of each page. At the top of the left column on both pages, write down “PAIN AVOIDED.” At the top of the right column on both pages, write down “PLEASURE GAINED.” Now, at the top-center of one of the pages, write down “BEING DISCIPLINED.” At the top-center of the other pages, write down “NOT BEING DISCIPLINED.” By now you probably know what we’re up to. You’re going to list the pain and pleasure you expect you’ll experience when you take a step toward accomplishing your goal or when you decide not to. To motivate yourself psychologically, you’re going to amp up the pain associated with not being disciplined, and the pleasure associated with being disciplined. This may seem elementary, but it’s a level of perspective and insight that you can use to combat your impulses. Just taking stock of what happens in reality can help quell your impulses.