Strengthening Our Self-Discipline

Why is self-discipline important, and how can we strengthen it? This “Virtues Basket” video explores how to control our feelings and overcome our weaknesses, and their practical benefits for our future.
Self-discipline prevents procrastination - instead of following our temptations, we take charge of our lives. That kind of self-discipline can bring balance to routine, because we learn to plan our day and be efficient. It also teaches us moderation by getting the hard things done first and adding rest or play time into our schedules.
Those of us who are parents can help our children with their routines by consulting about a fun way to write out their daily plan in an easily accessible way. During the conversation, our children can be the ones planning their day efficiently by adding the important tasks and their play time, rather than us telling them what to do. However, we may suggest ideas to guide them. For instance, we can suggest having a magnet whiteboard to help our children write their daily plans. They can add a magnet next to the tasks done for the day, rather than us asking them to follow through with their responsibilities. Therefore, children from a young age learn to plan their day and get things done without being told.
In his book “P.E.T. (Parental Educational Training),” Dr. Thomas Gordon says that when we make children part of the “problem-solving process,” we empower their thinking skills, we treat them like adults, and we eliminate the need for power.
Building the right habits during childhood can define our daily actions for a lifetime. Spiritual qualities such as self-discipline soon become embedded in us, and our self-knowledge and self-awareness increases. When we acquire and practice such admirable inner qualities in our daily lives, our children can acquire them too. Baha’u’llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith, wrote: "… man should know his own self and recognize that which leadeth unto loftiness or lowliness, glory or abasement, wealth or poverty."
Self-discipline also helps us learn what to do with our feelings and thoughts. We can watch our behavior and analyze the feelings behind it. This can give us a greater level of understanding of why we behave the way we do - and help us select the right reaction in any situation.
For instance, when we get sad, frustrated, or angry, self-discipline helps us take a deep breath, acknowledge how we feel, and then express it in a healthy, productive way. Self-discipline nurtures better relationships with the people in our lives, and trains us to have healthy interactions, even in the most stressful situations.
This “Virtues Basket” video helps educate the whole family about the admirable quality of self-discipline, and how we can use it to build the right habits for a healthier, more spiritually vibrant future.