Thoughts on Chartered Regiment (or) Self-Discipline

“Self-discipline is the make-or-break variable in nutrition, diet, relationships.”

Discipline and willpower are often equated with deprivation. But a recent study shows that self-control actually contributes to happiness, and wider body of research shows a positive correlation between willpower and greater financial security, as well as goal attainment. In fact, another study found that self-discipline was a better predictor of academic performance than IQ. “It keeps people out of jail and keeps them employed, so it’s the ‘all upside, all the time’ variable.”

If we’re not naturally disciplined about hitting the gym, meeting deadlines, or saving money, are we destined for mediocrity? Fortunately, not. Experts say willpower and discipline can be learned. Here’s a look at the habits that highly disciplined people use to excel personally and professionally.

1. THEY AVOID TEMPTATION

It sounds obvious, but if you’re trying to stick to a diet or a budget, it’s not in your best interest to stock the pantry with junk food or go window-shopping for clothes you can’t afford. “Not having to use self-control is actually the best way to be good at self-control, because people have limited willpower and you don’t want to have to be using it all day,” & “You want to save it for the unexpected or the uncontrollable.”

2. THEY RISE TO THE OCCASION

According to Carol Dweck, a Stanford University psychology professor and author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, there are those who see discipline as abundant and those of who see it as scarce. Often, this is a self-fulfilling prophecy. When Dweck and her colleagues compared university students with these two different mindsets and a heavy course load, they found that those who considered discipline to be abundant got better grades. “They’re not burning themselves out,” she says. “They know how to regulate to get the most out of themselves.” that may mean easing up before finals or a big presentation to allow more energy during crunch time. In high-pressure environments “you need to know how to deploy that energy in a sustained fashion,” Dweck says. “[Those who take the abundant view] seem to do that.”

3. THEY PRACTICE SELF-CARE

Sleep deprivation can impair self-control, so disciplined people generally get enough sleep. Self-disciplined people also “tend to be healthier in the long term and part of that is making healthful choices around smoking, drug use, diet, exercise, and compliance with treatment regimens for any health conditions,” Gorgens says. “They’re managing chronic and acute stress.”

4. THEY BREAK GOALS INTO SMALLER PARTS

Whether training for a marathon or trying to meet a major work deadline, disciplined people understand the importance of mini milestones. “Setting immediate, short-term goals makes them feel happier and stay more motivated,” Their perception of velocity toward their goals is more important than their distance from the goals.

He compares it to driving towards a mountain in the distance. As the miles pass, the mountain doesn’t appear to be getting any closer, but if you look at the scenery right outside the car, you can see it whizzing by. “When it comes to satisfaction and motivation in the day-to-day process, their perception of velocity toward their goals is more important than their distance from the goals,” .Those lacking discipline might get discouraged because they don’t seem to be progressing towards that loftier goal.

5. THEY FOLLOW THROUGH

When self-disciplined people are ready for career change, for instance, they’re proactive about tapping their networks or hiring a career coach, once they get advice, they’re more likely to run with it. “The self-disciplined person will take those steps and follow through on them,” “The person [without self-discipline] tends to need more hand-holding.”

These are the habits of a Professional Discipline or the Chartered Regiment we need to have. There is another aspect when the word regiment arose. It’s none other than our soldiers. They are the real Chartered Regiment. They are indoctrinate. If we come to our profession, we too have certain discipline to be followed. We the future chartered accountants need to take up our profession to the pinnacle by our regiments & we need to indoctrinate our juniors to follow up the things which are required. To end with a great quote, “Motivation gets you going & discipline keeps you growing”.

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