10 Self-Discipline Students Should Practice Instead of Relying on Motivation

In order to achieve success in their academics, here are some 10 self-discipline students should practice instead of relying on motivation which often set unrealistic goals and encourage illusive practices. It is true if you take time to understand the relativity that is inherent in success principles, Those with full experience are much informed on this.

But success in education which is also called academic success or excellence can be achieved through only ONE means and that is READING and STUDYING in preparation. What is different is the ways through which they are carried out and this of course results in the failure and success that is got after all.

The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience may be identified as DISCIPLINE; but the practice of training oneself to do something beneficial by intentionally depriving oneself of pleasurable distractions is called SELF DISCIPLINE.

Any students without self discipline are bound for failure and they should not complain when the results show up boldly in their face. As a matter of fact, there is no pursuit that claims success should ever be driven without discipline, except one wishes to forfeit the chances.

Over the years, life has successfully proven to anyone the difficulty that comes attached to the struggle or race for some idea of success. Hence, it is only by self-discipline which allows one understand the standard principles that are required to be obeyed in order to reach the top.

In addition, many a student complains about how the road to academic success is flowered with pains, sleeplessness, and sweats. Thus, they prefer the road that is clad in momentary pleasures and happiness without ever considering tomorrow or the future. It is quite pathetic to understand that the latter is nothing but a path of lack of self discipline and so the end is often disastrous and full of remorse.

Unapologetically, what remains as fact here is absolute compliance with the culture of self deprivation which is found in self discipline. In this article, you will be taken along to reading and leaving no stones unturned on the 10 self-discipline students should practice instead of relying on motivation:

• Practice Repeatedly

On average, we resist two impulses out of every five that we face daily. In other words, we spend more than half our waking hours trying to resist our urges and impulses. When we don’t resist them, statistics suggest that we act on up to 70% of those desires; but when we do resist, we can decrease that figure to as little as 17%.

By practicing self-control, we can build up our willpower just as we build up fitness by exercising. Also, we can improve our self-discipline with as little as two weeks of consistent practice. Here’s a worksheet that helps you take it step by step, by performing small acts of self-control in your everyday life.

• Be in Control

If we believe that our capacity for self-control is unlimited, we can motivate ourselves to practice more willpower even when our mental resources are depleted. But that doesn’t warrant wasting time and energy trying to control factors that we can’t, such as natural disasters or another person’s behavior. This can end up having detrimental effects on our mental health.

First, you’ll think of a valued goal you want to achieve and the desired outcomes of accomplishing it. Then, you’ll identify the actions you need to take to achieve it, before distinguishing between those that you can and cannot control.

• Find Accountability Partner

An accountability partner is someone who holds you to your commitments. If you commit to studying for 90 minutes each day, your accountability partner will check in to see if you’ve followed through on this. You’ll do the same for him or her. In other words, you’ll help each other to stay on track when it comes to your academics. You could find an accountability partner from amongst your friends or your classmates.

• Be Intentional

As discussed, being intentional can be a concrete and effective method for connecting your behaviors to desired outcomes. In other words, they bridge the gap between intentions and actions, leaving us with more mental resources for avoiding distractions and competing goals.

Use this exercise to learn more about the theory behind if–then statements, then clarify what you want to achieve (your intention). As you follow the steps, you’ll plan when, where, and how you’ll start acting toward your goal, as well as how you’ll overcome obstacles.

• Change Your Environment

Some environments make it difficult to study. For example, if there’s someone in the next room playing music or talking loudly, it will be hard for you to get to work. Even studying in your bedroom can be hard if you’re surrounded by distractions.

In a library, there’s an atmosphere of quiet concentration – everyone is focused on their work. That’s the kind of atmosphere that will help you to be a productive student. You could go to a different room in your house that you use exclusively for studying. If there’s a place like that in your house, it will remind you of your purpose – you’re there to study.

Read Also: Self-Education Skills That Can Improve Overall Performance

• Be Specific

When you set studies have shown that when your teacher believes you’re capable of great things, you’ll be a much more successful student than if you set your goals for each day or each week, make the goals as specific as possible. This is crucial for two reasons. Firstly, when you set goals, you’re programming your mind to accomplish a particular task.

Your brain needs details. Without details, your brain cannot form an image of what it is that you’re planning to accomplish. The more details you provide, the more likely it is that you’ll take action. Secondly, you need specific goals because you need to be able to measure whether you achieved that goal.

• Ensure Breaks

As part of the 10 self-discipline students should practice instead of relying on motivation, this approach to learning recognizes that our brains are not wired to focus on the same task for extended stretches. In short-burst learning, you study for 20 to 30 minutes and then take a 5- to 10-minute break. Stop working when the 20 to 30 minutes are up, even if you feel you could keep going. Repeat this process several times before taking a longer break, e.g. a break for dinner or to exercise.

• Be Positive about Yourself

Negative self-talk reinforces negative behavior. If you embrace them, this makes it even more difficult to change your behavior. Studies have shown that when your teacher believes you’re capable of great things, you’ll be a much more successful student than if your teacher doesn’t expect much from you. Negative thought patterns lead to low expectations for ourselves. We then act in a way that’s aligned with these low expectations.

• Have a Time-Table

Another way to become a disciplined student is to create a routine. For example, your routine could be that you do your schoolwork every weekday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Or, if you’re an early riser, your routine might be to do your schoolwork from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. every weekday. If those routines sound too restrictive to keep to every weekday, then start by following the routine only on Mondays, for instance.

• Reward Yourself after Every Fulfilled Goals Each Day

Habit loops always end in a reward. So it’s important to reward yourself at the end of each study session. It is the best of the 10 self-discipline students should practice instead of relying on motivation. The reward could be something simple, e.g. listening to your favorite music for 5 minutes, doing some stretches, taking a short walk, or eating a healthy snack. Rewards are a key part of building successful study habits. They’re also a key part of eliminating ineffective study habits.