How disciplined are you?  What does it mean to have Self 
Discipline?  Recently, I read a definition of Self Discipline 
and it went some thing like this:

Make your self do what you need to do, when you need to 
do it, whether you feel like it or not.

The implication here is that self discipline takes place in 
real time, in the present moment.  It is something to be 
done right now.

However, for many people the idea of discipline refers to 
some imaginary tomorrow time.  I will exercise, tomorrow.  
I will start my diet, tomorrow.  I will stop smoking, tomorrow.  

Why would you be self disciplined when there is so much 
pleasure to be gained from engaging in activities that provide 
pleasure right now?  Best put off being disciplined till tomorrow.  
Every day, tomorrow becomes the present moment and again 
the discipline can be put off for another tomorrow.  

This would especially be the case where you might think that 
to be self disciplined would result in some amount of pain or 
discomfort.  Why would anyone inflict pain on themselves?  
What would motivate some one to be self disciplined?  

Put simply, acting with self discipline creates a result; to 
stick with an exercise program results in greater fitness, 
more oxygen in the blood, altered body shape, improved 
cardiovascular health etc.

Acting with non-discipline also creates a result; not 
exercising results in avoiding sweating, being red in the 
face, having to buy walking shoes/ swim suit etc 

Both self discipline and non-discipline create a result.  
For anyone to choose the self discipline option, the result 
needs to have the greater appeal.  

When faced with delicious home baked birthday cake when 
you are just starting a weight loss program, the benefits of 
self discipline – potential weight loss in the future – vs the 
benefits if non-discipline – yummy taste in your mouth right 
now – which wins ??

The non-discipline benefit in both of these examples is 
tangible right now; you can see it, taste it, touch it, 
experience it – right now.  The self discipline benefit is a 
future benefit; a potential benefit and cannot be seen or 
touched right now.

Is it any wonder that so many people choose non-discipline?  
For the immediate sensory benefit.

However non-discipline carries a high price tag; you stay 
stuck with your problem and find the problems to grow larger, 
some how imagining they might just “go away”.  I 
deliberately use the word “problem” for if it was not a problem, 
you wouldn’t need self discipline to change it.  If the future 
benefit never appeals more than the immediate benefit then 
non-discipline will mostly win out. 

At any point in time you can choose the future benefit.  You 
can decide any time to make the shift to self discipline.  You 
can choose to do everything in your human power to make the 
change; to take the reins of your life and take control of yourself, 
to have more from your life.

You may have convinced yourself that you “have no discipline”.  
You can change that to “I am a disciplined person”.  Try it, 
look in the mirror and say to yourself “I am a disciplined 
person, I choose self discipline regarding exercise/ eating 
healthy/ managing my time”
  
 At the beginning this could feel a bit strange, or awkward 
or uncomfortable.  Change may be painful for a while as you 
begin an exercise program, go on a diet, or stop smoking.  
Your body will tell you that it desires to feel good again 
NOW; it will try to encourage you to put off to another day 
the change that you know must come. Those who are making 
the decision to give up alcohol or drugs are perhaps making 
the most positive decision of all that will have the most 
lasting effects.
  
 You must look ahead towards the desired result. Do not be 
someone that looks to the past as the good old days. The 
positive use of tomorrow-thinking is to base your hopes and 
faith in what you will become and not take your eye off of 
the goal. 

 Decide today to be disciplined; you will surprise yourself at 
how much you achieve.