The Power of Self-Control

The Power of Self-Control…lies within your ability to master your emotions, thoughts, and awareness…

Exercising self-control is essential for success in life, it will bring power and greatness. If and when you are lacking in sufficient self-control think about how it will improve your life. We have put together some methods on how to improve your self-control and gain better results for all of your life.

What Is Self-Control

Self-control means the ability to control oneself in particular; one’s emotions and desires or expressions of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.

Self-control helps us to do the things we need to do. It also helps us stop doing things that we see are bad for us, as well as being bad for those around us.

Why Do We Have Difficulties with Self-Control?

There are several reasons why we struggle with self-control. One reason is that we often lack awareness of how our actions affect others. Some people do not seem to care.  When an individual does not take the time to think before they speak or act it can generate chaos within their life.

Living in our world today, it is hard to think about the power of self-control as it is a rush for all things to get done. No time to think about other people’s feelings, just get it done. Take the time to slow down and remember that everything we do is either good or bad for us.

Some individuals believe they are being called out if someone disagrees with them. They get defensive and react negatively. This means that they find it difficult to resist opposition to their way of thinking.

However, to live a good life we must not push our thoughts, beliefs, and opinions about life on the people around us. If and when you become defensive about your way of thinking; you must realize that the mind of everyone does not always believe or think as you do. One must develop an attitude of tolerance for other people’s beliefs.

How Can You Develop Self-Control And Have The Power of Self-Control In Your Life

Self-control comes through self-awareness, as well as mindfulness (we mention below), which means the ability to focus on your actions, reactions, thoughts, and emotions, and how all of these affect your life.

Positive Psychology states the following: Self-awareness is the ability to see yourself clearly and objectively through reflection and introspection.

To build self-control, it is important to think and be aware of what you say, how you say it, what you do, and the method in which you deliver it. Your responses matter in all of life.

How Does Self-Control Affect Our Lives?

Self-control has been shown to affect everything from academic performance to job success. Harvard Business Review states that individuals with self-control have better relationships, careers, financial success, and health.

If you desire to be the leader of choice in the company you work for, you must develop the habit of listening to all the ideas of your team. Otherwise, you may wind up with a dysfunctional department in a successful company that needs a leader who has emotional intelligence (EI).

If you have no self-control, you are playing with fire in your relationships including your family, your friends, co-workers, and all the people around you. No one wants to be around someone who thinks they know everything and does not need the assistance of anyone.

If you desire to have lots of friends, it is important to be:

“The friend who is encouraging, kind, helpful, and listens. Not the one who is the loudest and tries to prove his worth or impress everyone else.”

How Can We Overcome Obstacles to Self-Control?

Mindfulness is the quality or state of being conscious or fully aware of something. We can think at the moment what the consequences of our actions, reactions, or actions might produce within our lives.

One of the most effective ways to improve self-control is by practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness involves paying attention to what we are doing at any given moment. This allows us to notice when we are tempted to act impulsively, without thought, or engage in unhealthy habits.

Example: While walking down the sidewalk at lunch you are thinking about what you have on your desk at the office that needs your immediate attention. Your mind is cluttered, and you are freaking out because you have not gotten it done.

It is important to note that the stoplight at the corner is red. If not, you could get hit by a vehicle that has turned on the street. Living and watching what you are doing at the moment in your life is important in all facets of life.

Summary

Mindfulness is also practicing patience, forethought, acceptance, thinking before we make decisions, and how they affect us.

Mindfulness is the part of us that knows what triggers our unhealthy responses, and our unhealthy habits, and helps us to correct that which is irrelevant or irresponsible.

Five Steps to Mindfulness By Thich Nhat Hanh

When we live with mindfulness and awareness, we will have more self-control and we will have more structured well-being. We will be more prone to success, contented, and have meaningful experiences in our lives.

That does not mean that we never have an accident and mess things up a little, but we can overcome those mishaps, by regrouping our thoughts on what makes life better for us and those around us.