Ramblings about actions and feelings

Self Discipline is doing what you should be doing,
when you should be doing it,
and completing it  to the very best of your ability.

In everything we do, there remains room for choice. We can either choose to begin or not; we may choose one path over another; and we can even choose how much effort to put forth if we decide to begin in the first place. When we are feeling on top of the world and pumped full of the hormone/neurotransmitter dopamine, motivation is at its highest. In this state, we are chemically encouraged to set forth on the next task, eager for its outcome and reward. These are the times we set new goals, join the gym, buy new workout outfits, and plan to get back to our high school weight.

But, as we see and feel all too often, when the early-morning alarm rings, our choice remains clear: more sleep is the clear winner by a long shot. We felt unstoppable when our brain cocktail encouraged setting goals but now we choose to fall back asleep when it comes time to act. This is because we allow the way we FEEL to dictate how we ACT.

Changing habits and getting healthier comes down to making small decisions and holding promises to yourself day after day. Becoming strong and losing the extra weight is directed by exercising: exercising the muscle of self-discipline and creating an ever-growing list of undeniable proof that you CAN and you WILL hold yourself accountable.

The greatest form of self-love is holding yourself to a higher standard than anyone else does.

• Deciding to become healthier is self-love.

• Scheduling exercise in your busy calendar is self-love.

• Stepping out of bed as soon as the alarm rings is self-love.

• Choosing to push yourself the hardest you ever have, repetition after repetition is self-love.

• Repeating these small behaviors daily is self-love.

Notice, achieving a healthier body, a healthier mindset, and healthier lifestyle is NOT predicated on a feeling. Self-love is taking action.

keep every promise you make to yourself.

Keeping these promises to our healthier, future-selves, encourages and promotes a sense of self-trust; it builds agency. Keeping these promises increase our self-respect more than anything else we can do and boosts our self-efficacy (the belief in one's ability to set out and achieve their goals). If you say you will act, then act. If you say you will take a ten minute walk tomorrow, then walk for ten minutes.

The act of maintaining these promises reinforce itself and snowballs into continuing these habits long-term, long after your brain cocktail of hormones and chemicals change from highly motivated to day-to-day feelings. Take action for yourself.