Stoicism - How To Build Self Discipline

Discipline is getting harder to cultivate, and the simple answer for why that’s the case is that life is getting easier. Easier life creates two condition which makes building discipline harder. 

1. Temptation- We are surrounded by more and more sources of temptation and distractions that make it increasingly difficult to overcome our impulses.
2. Lack of Resistance- An easier life also gives us less opportunity to practice discipline. Instant gratification is slowly removing opportunities for us to practice discipline. We are becoming impatient, expectant, and our attention span is reducing.

Resistance is uncomfortable, but resistance is the catalyst for growth. It gives us a feeling of development, fulfilment, and achievement. It shows us the boundaries of our ability and allows us to surpass them. 

The psychological impact of knowing you can do something is profound, and you can only find this boundary by pushing yourself through resistance.

We have to create our own resistance in a world that's removing it. 

Discipline is like the gym. We need resistance to grow, and that growth will depend on the resistance we apply. We should start small, make your bed, do the laundry, tidy your room, read a page, don’t eat that chocolate bar, walk at lunch, put down your phone, go to bed earlier, wake up earlier etc. 

Any time we feel the little voice within calling us to resist an action or validate a decision not to do something, this is an opportunity to develop resilience. That is the resistance you need to grow.

Once we’re aware of it, we can notice it.

When we notice it, we can catch it.

When we catch it, we can use it as a tool for growth.