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Self-discipline is an ability to do things that are difficult or unpleasant without anyone pushing you or offering you incentives. The following are the basic types of self-discipline.Self-ControlThe ability to control your behavior and direct your thinking towards a goal. This includes an ability to suppress or redirect negative or unproductive emotions. For example, the ability to continue to drive well when other drivers are making you angry.
IntrospectionIntrospection is the ability to examine your own thoughts, emotions and character to change in productive ways. For example, the ability to identify flaws in your thinking such as motivated reasoning.The ability to make reasonable decisions in a timely manner in an environment of uncertainty. This implies that you can make decisions and act without any input from others if this is required. For example, a new hire who thrives in a competitive and fast moving organization without any direction from their boss or team.
Focus & EnduranceThe ability to focus on work, study, listening and anything else that demands attention and to maintain this focus over time. For example, a student who is able to efficiently read a book cover-to-cover they don't find particularly interesting in order to complete a book report.Habit & RoutineHabit and routine are tools of self-discipline whereby an individual repeats a productive behavior. For example, a person who wants to maintain a healthy body weight who has a habit of jogging each morning.
Will PowerThe ability to overcome negative behaviors and habits despite a strong motivation to continue the behavior.Principled BehaviorThe ability to conform to a set of values and principles. Generally speaking, it is easy to think of values that you admire but difficult to live up to values in a consistent way. For example, you may believe in the golden rule of treating people as you yourself would like to be treated but it is easy to lose your patience with those around you or fail to see their perspective. Matching your behavior to your values is a high form of behavior that takes a great deal of self-discipline to master.
Personal ResiliencePersonal resilience is the ability to retain your discipline in the face of significant stress. For example, the ability to handle difficult criticism that generates strong emotions without acting out in a negative way.StoicismStoicism is an ideal that states that misfortune or difficulties need not affect your happiness because it is only your response that matters. In theory, a stoic is unmoved by circumstances whether positive or negative as they are only interested in their own disciplined and virtuous response to each situation. NotesStoicism is a philosophy founded in the 3rd century BC that has had a profound influence on Western civilization as an ideal or virtue. Stoicism is based on the idea that individuals have significant agency and aren't victims of circumstance. It calls for quietly dealing with problems without complaint. This was widely challenged beginning in the 1960s with the idea that it is important to socialize your feelings about every fortune and misfortune. This originates with the popular psychology that it is harmful to keep your feelings bottled up. |
Type | | Definition | An ability to do things that are difficult or unpleasant without anyone pushing you or offering you incentives. | Related Concepts | |
Character Traits
This is the complete list of articles we have written about character traits.
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A list of common character traits.
The definition of humility with examples and counter examples.
A list of virtues including the twelve virtues of Aristotle.
The definition of flattery with examples.
The definition of pathologizing with examples.
The definition of superficial with examples.
A list of useful words for describing a person.
A list of words that can be viewed as the opposite of humble.
A list of words for humble.
The definition of self-control with examples.
A list of abilities that are commonly viewed as a talent as opposed to a commodity skill.
The definition of personal presence with examples.
A list of common organizational skills with examples.
A list of technology skills and skill levels.
A list of synonyms for talent.
A list of design talents.
A list of common character strengths.
A list of common character weaknesses.
The definition of incompetence with examples.
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