Why Self-Discipline is so Hard

In this video, we get to the bottom of why self-discipline (self-control) is so hard.

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[Omar]

We must suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.

[StopNdThink]

“Odin gave up his present self for his future self”

This is going in my motivational memory bank forever.

[Sharkenite]

It's crazy how we all are conscious to our decisions, yet, we have to fight and have self control over our very own brain or sub conscious to be free.
It's like a constant battle over the flesh/body.

[ghostdeep]

I don’t even have enough self discipline to watch the video instead of looking at the comments

[RuberSocks]

So essentially, if you have a lot of things in your life that make you depressed, or not enough good things, you won't be satisfied enough to even want to do productive things, and instead will use that time for instant gratification.

[zimerry]

*_me watching a video about self-discipline instead of studying..._*

[abdulkadiryilmaz]

whenever I procrastinate things like study to exams or projects, I find myself to watch that kind of videos before the day of deadline. every time I feel guilty for being lazy and choosing immediate pleasure instead of long term ones. I know what it takes to become the person I want to be, and I know that this process is not impossible. but I couldn't really solve the issue, I can't find the willpower to do it. It hasn't anything to do with my school, mech. engineering, where I feel that I'm studying the most appropriate department for me. something made me depressive af in the last two years and I don't know what. something is missing in my life. graduatation is approaching and something has to be changed. I hope I won't edit this comment with negative things in future, if I'm still alive of course

Edit: Thank you guys for asking if I’m okay, Alhamdulillah I'm doing fine. I can't say everything fully turned to positive and I'm super successful, but right now I think I'm a little better than what I was. I'll edit here when something worth to update about.

[GagafGaGa]

Procrastination is often a strategy of self-sabotage. You have to go deeper in yourself to find the causes of this way of dealing with things. This kind of strategies has a meaning about the way you think of yourself. But it's so hard though. I've been so used to self-sabotage myself, because I'm so used to think that I don't deserve success, or love, that it feels like it's a part of me. And I can't get rid of it. It's almost comforting, since it's the way I always "loved" myself.

But getting rid of those habits asks a real work on a very long relationship you have had with yourself. You clearly need a therapist for that.

[MichaelJayValueInvesting]

The ability to delay gratification has been shown to be one of the strongest indicators of success later in life.

[kwantator]

7:59 Friends, sexual partners, toys, lab rats live better lives than I do.

[trelocster]

In my own experience, an increase in willpower and therefore self-discipline has never occurred by trying to force myself to an action. Increases in this regard have always emerged from an inability to no longer be inactive, when the discomfort of not being or doing what I desire exceeds my want for comfort or temporary gain. So it's my belief that rather than force myself to do something, it's better to determine WHY I want that something to begin with, and if it's something I truly desire. This way I don't waste time beating my head into things that ultimately I don't want/need, I can instead use that energy to pursue the things I know I absolutely want and need with my fullest energy and constitution. For me at least I found it easiest to really think on why I want something, and attain buy-in for myself to that goal. Everything after that just follows so long as I keep in mind why I made the decision to pursue that thing in the first place.


You also can't berate yourself for not pursuing your goals if you don't set yourself up for success first. Get proper sleep, lay proper plans, eat properly; if you don't set yourself up with the capacity to complete the task to begin with, you can't be surprised or upset when it's not attained. Don't berate yourself, just evaluate where you can do better for the next time, blame your lack of preparation, not yourself, you're not inadequate, your starting point was.

[TheDarkever]

I just realized that the main reason I have such a strong self-discipline on most aspects of my life is simply because... I feel content and satisfied with them, I enjoy and explore them and I'm not in a hurry to experience more. And in fact my self-control is at its weakest on the aspects of my life that I'm not happy with. All fits together now.

[Chocolaatchaudd]

"Dopamine is about anticipation rather than reward" This is just absolutely mind blowing, it explains so much, you just changed my life in one sentence man.

[komranbehbehani]

So I was your typical slacker and about a month ago I lived for my friends honestly. At the later age of 21, I realized that friendships can just be a passing relationship. Please don't live for others, but rather live for yourself. This applies to very humble people be a little more selfish. I am just starting to plan things and have to finally schedule stuff. I got sick of living in my mediocre box. I get my HW done the day it is assigned and feel like a god! Hope you find your better self (just decide that the relationship with your old self isn't cutting it)! Love y'all and wish you the best! Go make yourself proud!

[alpercnar]

6:51 I love how 4 burgers are 0$.99 and tacos are $0.50 while a god damn carrot is $20 lol
This is really how it feels.

[MartinLichtblau]

Self-Discipline
- gets weaker by using it > so use it efficiently and make breaks to recharge
- can be attained / trained
- should only be used initially to automate behavior, not to microtask everything every time

[sunaypoole]

I'm at minute 2, and I don't think I even have the self-discipline to watch all 9 minutes

[asoosy_artinity]

How to procrastinate your time by watching not to procrastinate your time

[starrebornalpha]

Use self-discipline only for the important things in life.
1. Education - Finish your education.
2. Food - Make the right food choices.
3. Exercise - Get your physical activity in at least 4 times a week for at least 20 minutes.
4. Social life - Be social but with the right people that also have the same goals as you. (1-3)
5. Repeat steps 1 - 4 - Success.

[unleashingpotential-psycho]

Great video! Childhood adversity is definitely one of the biggest factors that affect our ability to prefer delayed gratification. I have seen many friends who have had very challenging childhoods who seem to be unable to stay away from instant gratification like smoking, drinking, and drug usage.