How can I become more self-disciplined? So often I am such a lazy
bastard; I know the things I need to do but instead I watch tv or surf
the web. I've read a few self-help books but all they seem to say is
"just do it". But how do I do that? Is the ability to discipline
oneself consistantly genetic or something that can be learned? If the
latter, how can I teach it to myself?

Greetings from Google!

Your question was "How can I become more self-disciplined?" That is
not an easy question.

There's no advice out there on the internet or anywhere else that
isn't going to tell you what you've already heard. So let me speak
from personal experience. I know exactly how you are feeling right
now. You have so many things like work and chores on your mind that
just needs to be done, yet too often you find yourself waiting until
the last minute (or even later!) to actually do it. In the mean time,
you're wasting time away surfing the web or watching television, and
then you wonder where all the time went. I too, was once the same, to
the extent of nearly dropping out of high school!

Yes, it's true that all those self help books seem to say is "just do
it." But have you considered the reason why all of these different
books say the same thing? If there were some kind of short cut to
self-discipline, you would think at least one of these books would
mention it, wouldn't you? I'm sure I'm just telling you what you
already know by now: there is no shortcut.

Please don't take this personally, I was in much the same position
before, I am just genuinely want to help you. What I'm trying to ask
you is, "what kind of answer were you expecting?" I can give you all
the advice in the world, but none of it will matter unless you
actually do it.

Before I go on, I can assure you that self-discipline is not genetic.
This is speaking from personal experience.

The really frustrating thing about "becoming" self-disciplined is that
you really need self discipline in the first place to do it! You've
mentioned that you've read self-help books. That is a good first step,
and it is actually an indication of some self-discipline. You are
self-disciplined enough to go out and find these books and read them.
Also, the fact that you are here, and that you took the time to ask
this question, also indicates to me that you are self-disciplined. So
you already know the answer to your own question. You merely need to
ask yourself, "why do I want to know how to become more
self-disciplined?"

The answer lies within a "want." You wanted to become more self
disciplined because you wanted all the great things like money and
power that comes with self-discipline. That is the key. You must want
something that self discipline can give you in order to become self
disciplined.

So, to answer your question, how do you become self disciplined?
First, you'll need a goal. Why do you want to become self disciplined?

One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to tell you to
WRITE DOWN the reasons why you want to become self-disciplined. No one
needs to give you any tips on that. You instinctively know that
self-discipline is a very good thing. So ask yourself, why do I want
to become self disciplined? Write that down. Write it down! And post
it somewhere visible. Now everytime you see that paper, you will be
reminded of WHY you are trying to be self-disciplined. You can SEE the
benefits that you will gain. You may feel some discomfort when you do
this, but that feeling will pass. This isn't some cliched symbolic
empty act. It actually works. It is a practical and rational act of
self help. This is as close to a short cut as you will possibly get.
Just do it.

Second, we will need to understand what this "self-discipline" thing
actually is. Here is what self-discipline means to me: it is a state
of habitual focused concentration towards any goal. Focus is the key
here. Focus isn't an action, or a goal. Focus is a state of mind.
Think back to the times when you're sitting at the computer surfing
the web, not wanting to do any work. What focus is is CONCENTRATING on
LEAVING your computer to start your work. It is a mental challenge. If
you can do it just once, then you can do it again. If you can do it
twice, you can do it three times. If you start doing it enough times,
it becomes habitual. And that is self-discipline: habitual focused
concentration towards any goal.

So the next time you're sitting on the computer loafing away, try it.
One of the hardest parts of this experiment, psychologically speaking,
is to even begin to THINK about focusing. Focus on the thought of
sitting up and leaving your computer to do your work. Visualize all
the actions you will need to take and start working. Focus harder
until your body actually sits up, finds a good place sit, and study
(or whatever it is you want to do). And there, you have succeeded.

Now you just need to repeat it. And that's the hard part.

Another good thing to think about is how easy something is once you
start doing it. Have you ever been doing work, and marveled and how
much easier it was to do than you expected? What you want to do is
latch on to that feeling. The next time you're worrying about
procrastinating on some work assignment, just think about how much
happier you will be when you are done, and how much easier it is to do
than you think. You can even check to see if it is easy, and who
knows, you might even start working on it right then and there. But
again, repetition is key.

I know much of this sounds like a boring lecture, but the truth is, no
advice can help you become more self-disciplined. There is no amount
of reading advice that can help you do this. You must do it yourself.
You just have to decide that you want to become self-disciplined. That
is the only hard decision there is to make. All the rest is a piece of
cake.

I hope this has, in some small way, helped you to become more
self-disciplined. If you have any more questions about what I have
said, please don't hesitate to ask for a clarification. I will be
checking this thread often and I would be more than happy to assist
you further!

Best Regards, 
blader-ga

What kind of answer was I expecting? A magic bullet, I guess. :)
You've helped confirm what I prety much already knew; there are no
easy answers. The best I can do is try to try to remain focused on and
enthusiastic about my goals, which will help motivate me to be more
disciplined. I like the bit in your piece about working to create a
habit of discipline. It's hard to conquer a lifetime of laziness, but
if I can be disciplined ONCE then just maybe I can train myself to do
so habitually. Thanks.

A friend of mine is in the process of becoming a certified personal
coach from the Coaches Training Institute
(http://www.cticoaches.com/). Her function, as a coach, is to help
motivate people, keep them on track, and give them that extra push
that they need to complete (short or long term) tasks and goals.

You might want to search for a coach in your area:
http://www.cticoaches.com/search/grads.html

Hope this is helpful

Hi,
 It's easy!!!
 You will like to the technique that I will give you.

 1. Find out why do you like what you do in your daily life.
      It may be anything, given are the examples only.
      1. Watching TV
      2. Surfing Web
      3. Picking up Trash
      4. Being Angry on someone
      5. Solving a puzzle.

    You can further explore each item
      1a. Why do you visit the web site that you visit
      2a.  Why do you watch TV programs that you watch
      5a.  Why do you solve only particular types of puzzle.
      
  etc.
  
  
   I am NOT telling you that you should write down all this things
   
   The one definite process you are doing is 'thinking'.
   and you  certainly enjoy thinking process if not 'doing' process.
   
   
   If that's the case, I want you to think deeper and find out what
    you are made up of by answering the questions. You will simply
    aware of yourself. Your awareness about yourself will lead to a
    higher dimension of yourself ( A changed you). You will like
    this new 'self' and you will try to maintain it. And self-
    discipline will automatically come without even your trying.
    
    
  Once you will see a glimpse of it, you will try to utilize it in
  more and more areas. Which will make you active in your life and
  slowly but surely you will become aware of your goals and you will
  achieve automatically. You will also start writing the things and
  will use pen and paper as simply an extension to the memory of
  mind.
  
  Further on the path, you will realize the processes of the world
  as an extension to the processes of your mind and you will become
  a part of it and automatically you will be a 'doer' rather than
  just thinker.
  
  You will suddenly realize that you enjoy your life as an object
  which you can explore everyday. You will realize that you are mere
  energy and you can use the way you like. Once being aware of the
  handles of the energy you will give it a direction. Which will
  give you more control over your world that you can touch even with
  your limited strength and you will feel the best that you can ever
  fill in the life and this feeling will continue and grow more and
  more day by day. You will have even forgotten the problem you
  started with and just enjoy.  
  
  
  
  
 Artist.

If your 'lack of self-discipline' extends to not keeping your house or
other personal space clean and tidy, you might want to check out
Flylady (http://www.flylady.net). Although it's wrapped up in a large
amount of folksy hometown wisdom, the core of this plan is a series of
e-mails which regularly remind you that you'll be happier and more
grounded if you set personal routines for regular tasks, and get up
from the computer and take a few minutes to sort out the things that
need doing. Once your personal space is reasonably ordered -- and it
doesn't have to be perfect -- you find more time to relax, reflect,
and pursue your life goals. It isn't a magic bullet either, but it
does make you feel better. In fact, I should do it now.

I would just like to mention that lack of motivation can SOMETIMES be
a symptom of clinical depression, or other underlying problem.

You describe yourself as: "such a lazy bastard....".  It seems you do
not think too well of yourself, at the moment.  Negative feelings
about yourself can also be a sign of depression.

Are you having any other problems, such as sleeping difficulties, or
trouble with memory or concentration?

Particularly if you have not always experienced this motivation
problem, it might be worth discussing things with a doctor, just in
case you have become depressed.  (Literally ANYONE can become
depressed - it doesn't mean you are some kind of freak or loser.  In
fact, sufferers are commonly high-achieving individuals, who set
themselves very high standards.)

Contrary to popular belief, depression doesn't always involve feeling
sad.  It may just take the form of a gradual loss of interest in
things that USED to motivate you, such as friends, hobbies, your work
etc.

If you feel this MIGHT be true of you, please seek medical advice, as
the good news is that it IS treatable.

Regards,

Louise

"Do what you like and the money will follow" may be your solution.

No offense, but "Do what you like and the money will follow" may sound
good, but is almost completely untrue.

I have been struggling with this same motivation and self-discipline
issue.  (Most likely a symptom of depression in my case).

I highly recommend the book _Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy_ by
David D. Burns, M.D.  Chapter 5, entitled "Do Nothingism: How to Beat
It," is particulary relevent.

Techniques for self-activation include: "motivation without coersion,"
"the antiprocrastination sheet," "the pleasure predicting sheet," and
a few others.  Check out Table 5-1 in the book for one or two that
might work for you.

Like you, I *know* that I should "just do it".  But the "pick yourself
up by the bootstraps" reply isn't a very good answer.

For tips on productivity, try this page at Stanford's Help Center -
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/helpcenter/writing.html.  (It's geared
for writers, but addresses the topic of productivity in general.)

I wish you luck in your pursuit.

We are not alone. I to struggle like hell with the issue of self
dicipline and I always remember my father saying without self
discipline you have nothing. Well I am 62 and still struggle like you.
I have found out two things about me anyway. 1. TV is the greatest
waste of time and actually , with the remote control, channel flipper
it trains your mind not to stay focused.
        2. The Internet, hey what can I say. It is the perfect place
to go when you don't want to do something.
Some authors I like and the best book that helped me was by Dr.
Nathaniel Brandon. The Art of Living Conciously. Wow was that
enlightning. I mean I found out that I can go out of the conversation
or the place I am in and still know when to say, Yes, No, Maybe or
even make a comment and not know a damn thing about what was said.
I have a German wife and talk about self discipline. Oh, my I just sit
and look at her and am amazed everyday. Good Luck.Deago

Thanks for the book reccomendations and other thoughts. I'll look into them.