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What truly is (self) discipline?

“Having discipline means doing what we think, without acting on the basis of how we feel”.

Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a beginner-to-expert course).

In martial arts as well as in any aspect of life, the first thing we need to develop is self-discipline:

Once acquired this skill, all the remaining road is downhill
Without it, we will never start to achieve concrete and tangible results

Do not contradict ourselves

If we think about it for a moment, nothing is more silly than going in contradiction with ourselves.

Once an idea has been subjected to the test of our reason, it’s completely absurd to overshadow our decision on the basis of things like:

Momentary weaknesses
Collateral desires
Eventual distractions
Leak of concentration
Fear of failing
Superficial opinions
…

How to remain faithful to the decisions we have made

In any project / decision of our lives, we must identify:

A time for planning (preparation) – We need to evaluate and think about how, what, where, why, when and especially if we have to pursue our intent; a working plan design must have a precise beginning, duration and end (the projects that have no precise development times are called dreams and they do not interest us)
A processing moment (discipline) – We will never reach perfection (it does not exist at all), when we have decided and defined a solid project, the time for doubts must end; we have only one option, start to work and do not rest until the result is achieved
A phase of correction / adaptation (concentration) – The fact of having started working means that nothing can stop us but not that we can not adjust the aim of our goal; the important thing is that our choices must not be influenced by weak factors, similar to those mentioned above

Love the errors

No project worthy of the name proceeds smoothly from start to finish. It is completely normal:

To face errors and misunderstanding
To find things that (apparently) seem more profitable and easy to reach
To suffer fatigue and frustration
To (apparently) see that the others are obtaining more with less
To be advised to change direction
…

We all have the same feelings, concerns and temptations but nothing of these must distract us from our decision (read One man: one word) because, otherwise, we will find ourselves each time:

With the obligation to start over
With nothing in our hands
Each time less motivated
Having wasted time and energy unnecessarily
…

The road will not be straight

The only things that legitimately will be able to divert our route are:

The inevitable mistakes we will face (read Measure ourselves with errors)
The advice resulting from the dialogue with people who have already achieved the results we are aiming at

A note by Master Kongling – Let’s be clear: we do not have to obey others, we must carefully reflect on what they bring to our attention but only to make a criticism to ourselves (in a constructive way). If our intention is good and does no harm to anyone, in no circumstances, weakness must be able to stop or force us to turn back.

In the next article of this series, we will see some practical methods to start building our self-discipline.

In-depth video courses

How to build strong self-discipline – A step-by-step path to that kind of self-control that brings results (in life, martial arts, work, etc.)
Mind self-control hacks – How to improve our mental capabilities (focus, planning, quick reasoning, etc.)
Basic 6 Dragons Kung Fu exercises – An effective conditioning routine that helps to build correct habits with a lower mental effort
Meditation: how to start – A step-by-step path toward the benefits of meditation

In-depth articles

How to solve any kind of life problem – The 6 Dragons Kung Fu’s Method to solve problems
How to train with perseverance – A few tips on how to train in the correct way

Questions

Reply in the comments and share your experience:

What is the goal you want to reach through self-discipline?

Author: Master Kongling

Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu.

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