My personal financial situation is a work in progress. I am dedicated to achieving financial discipline. Being able to commit to financial restraint builds my level of wisdom. 

Managing my finances requires patience and sacrifice. I remind myself that expenditures are unnecessary when they prevent me from keeping my bills current. Making prudent financial decisions involves knowing what matters most. 

I gain wisdom when I take the time to understand the returns on my investments. Much of my time is spent developing my investment skills. 

When I understand how investments work, I am able to choose a path that suits my financial position. Wisdom in understanding the risks keeps my money safe. It allows me to select ideal options for making my dollars grow. 

Being thankful for my financial sources reminds me to avoid taking them for granted. My job and other income sources are important to my well-being. I use each opportunity I get to nurture relationships that promote my financial health. 

Having discipline with spending habits encourages thoughtful consideration and leads to wisdom. 

Today, my wisdom comes from various sources. I am thankful that I understand what it means to be financially disciplined. I am committed to exercising that discipline so I become a wiser human being. 

Self-Reflection Questions: 

1. What are some of the lessons that I can learn from being frugal?
   
2. How do I differentiate between frugality and efficient spending?
   
3. What lessons in wisdom am I able to impart to others looking to achieve financial wellness?
   

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The time I spend volunteering for worthy causes is well spent. I learn how to exercise self-control and discipline when I involve myself in giving back. 

Sharing my time and energy reminds me that there are many needs outside of my own. Having someone else as the focal point forces me to control self-serving behavior. My consciousness about my importance is held at bay when I am in volunteer mode. 

Observing how charitable resources are stretched proves to me that there is more room in my life for discipline. 

When I look at how much value is gained from charitable contributions, I am encouraged. A lot of creativity is used to convert small amounts into meaningful missions. I know that a little creativity is all it takes to get more out of my own money. 

Sacrificing my personal desires while I volunteer is difficult, but worthwhile. It teaches me the value of having just enough. 

When I see what it means to live without basic amenities, I am humbled. Being privy to that forces me to be more frugal. I exist in a state of excess without even realizing it. I am committed to cutting out some of my indulgence in order to benefit others. 

Today, I am learning to live with self-control and discipline. Shifting the focus from myself to others shows me what really matters in life. I am happy to spend my time doing good for others. 

Self-Reflection Questions: 

1. What other areas of my life can be improved by donating my time and resources?
   
2. What steps do I take to practice self-control?
   
3. In what creative ways can I contribute to those who are less fortunate?
   

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The ability to control yourself might be the most important skill you can possess. You probably already know how to get in great shape, eat properly, find a better-paying job, and succeed in a lot of other ways. The problem is, you’re not doing those things.

What you lack is enough discipline. Discipline allows you to use what you know. Without it, you’re just a dusty library of information.

Develop the discipline necessary to excel in life with these strategies:

1. Rest is important. Fatigue is a killer of discipline. Have you ever noticed that your discipline is weakest at night? That’s when you’re more likely to waste time. You’re more likely to eat poorly. You’re more likely to send an ill-advised text message to your ex. If you have a task to complete that requires discipline, schedule it when your energy is at its peak.

• Get enough sleep each night to be at your best. Plan naps if the afternoon if possible.

2. Exercise. Exercise isn’t just good for you, it’s good for the development of discipline. Exercising regularly is challenging both physically and mentally. It’s not easy to get yourself to exercise every day. The slight physical discomfort also requires discipline to endure. You also have the benefit of enhancing your health at the same time.

3. Get organized. Getting and staying organized is another gentle way to build your discipline. Start with just one part of your home. Declutter and clean. Then move on to another part of the house. Clutter also saps your discipline and willpower.

• If you’re naturally messy, getting organized might be more challenging than you think. Take small steps and avoid losing ground. It doesn’t do much good if you clean a room, and it returns to a messy state in a few days. Stay on top of it!

4. Learn persistence. It’s questionable if you can have discipline without persistence. Fortunately, there are countless opportunities to practice each day. Become a master at completing tasks.

• Fold all the laundry instead of leaving part of it for later.
• Wash all the dishes instead of leaving that gross, greasy dish until tomorrow.
• Whenever you start to feel a little bored, tired, hungry, or uncomfortable, continue with your current task for at least a few more minutes. You’ve learned how to quit easily. Teach yourself how to persist after you want to stop. Even three minutes is an improvement and a good starting point.

5. Meditate daily. From a distance, meditation looks easy. After all, how hard can it be to just sit there and focus on your breathing, right? Try it once and see how hard it can be. Meditation teaches focus and the ability to persevere when you’re emotionally and physically uncomfortable.

• It’s hard not to think, “How much longer?” when you’re in the middle of a meditation session. Start with just a few minutes and add a few more minutes each week. When you can sit for an hour straight, you can do anything.

6. Learn to forgive easily. Negative emotions consume a lot of energy and make self-discipline much more challenging. When you’re consumed with negative thoughts, it’s hard to do anything productive. Let go of the negative energy inside of you and you’ll have more self-control.

Self-control is the key to making progress. You already know enough. Sometimes, gathering more information is just an excuse to stall. Take the knowledge you already have and put it to work. Learn to do things you don’t necessarily feel like doing. The alternative is to live an unfulfilling life.

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Self-discipline seems to be the thing that everyone else has. Few are fortunate enough to be so self-motivated that self-discipline isn’t necessary. Self-discipline is the ability to do something that you don’t feel like doing. We each have a limited supply, but we can grow our capacity for self-discipline over time.

Those with high levels of self-control have been found to be happier than those with low levels. It’s believed this is due to reduced internal conflict. Those with less self-control are constantly struggling to make decisions between competing goals. Those with more self-control make decisions more rationally and much more quickly.

Increase your ability to control yourself:

1. Success without discipline is a myth. Successful people appear to have ten times more talent than the rest of us, but successful people work very hard to be successful. The ability to control your thoughts and actions creates success. Hard work requires discipline, because it usually isn’t fun.

2. Avoid waiting until you feel inspired to take action. With all the forms of entertainment and distraction we have available, it’s logical to assume that we should feel inspired to do the things that need to be accomplished.

• Quality of life and comfort are often at odds. Self-discipline can be used to engage in activities that aren’t comfortable. Only then will you enjoy a high quality of life.

3. Learn to complete tasks. Let finishing become your code. Become a finisher. Regardless of the task, see it through to the end. Is the dish rack full, but there are still a few more dishes to wash? Make room and get it done. When you start something, finish it.

4. Do the hardest thing first. Your self-discipline is highest early in day. SO get that tough item crossed off your to-do list as soon as possible.

5. Learn to stay with discomfort. Do you have the urge to go to the kitchen for a snack? Make yourself wait another 30 minutes. Whenever you’re feeling uncomfortable, make yourself stay with it just a little longer. Teach yourself that your discomfort is only a suggestion. You don’t have to cave in.

6. Take time to enjoy yourself. This is the best way to replenish your willpower. Stress, hunger, and fatigue drain your ability to exercise self-discipline. So eat a good meal and get a full night of sleep. Take part in enjoyable activities.

7. Know your outcome. Whether the outcome is a shoveled driveway, a new bass boat, or a completed novel, be aware of the desired outcome. Self-discipline becomes easier when you’re able to maintain a long-term perspective.

8. Develop habits. Creating a habit of vacuuming the living room every Wednesday eliminates the need for discipline. Habits are powerful. Put yourself on autopilot and use the power of habits to your advantage.

9. Meditate. Studies have shown that mediation strengthens the part of the brain responsible for self-control. Buy a book or find a local meditation group.

10. Use affirmations. When you feel your resolve weakening, recite positive affirmations to yourself. Keep your mind occupied on something positive while you get your work done.

11. Give yourself frequent breaks. Setting a schedule that’s too aggressive will quickly diminish your self-discipline. Give yourself regular breaks to ensure that you stay alert and fresh.

How much self-discipline do you have? Your level of self-discipline can affect your diet, health, fitness, finances, career, and relationships. Self-discipline is a learned behavior, so you can develop your self-discipline if you choose. With enough self-discipline, you can achieve any goal.

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