Berlin Eight out of ten Germans often put off important tasks. This conclusion was reached in a survey by market researchers at the Berlin Dou Institute. Respondents were self-critical: a third felt they were too undisciplined to focus on their work for long periods of time. Respondents identified social media, private conversations and incoming emails as the biggest distractions. But is a person who distracts himself also an undisciplined person?
Not necessarily, the researchers say, because those who compulsively want to enforce their own discipline may inhibit it by doing so. This was demonstrated in a 2017 study by Israeli and American psychologists and others.
Anyone trying to exhibit “iron discipline” at all costs will end up with the exact opposite of what they really want. Experts say this is just one of many pitfalls. Here, they reveal how to identify the biggest self-discipline pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Self-Discipline Mistake #1: Your Goals Are Unclear—and So How to Get There
If you want self-discipline, you must first have motivation. Motivation works primarily through good goals: only those who have internalized what they want to achieve are willing to put in the effort to achieve it. You can’t immediately answer what is the specific goal you are trying to achieve? Then it’s up to you to clarify this yourself – and figure out what’s holding you back.
Gabriele Oettingen’s so-called WOOP approach, an acronym for “wish”, “outcome”, “obstacles” and “plan”, according to Oettingen, can help four of the most important stations Achieve greater self-discipline. The scientist is a professor of psychology at New York University and the University of Hamburg, where he studies topics such as self-regulation and future thinking.
This is how you go through the four stops. “The first step is to ask yourself: What is my desire?” Oettingen said. “Do I want to focus more on work, improve my behavior toward others, or do more for my health?”
The second step is to ask, “How would I feel if I got my wish?” Visualize the answer as vividly as possible. The final question is: “Is there something in me that prevents me from achieving what I want?” You should also visualize this obstacle as intuitively as possible. Only then can you move on to step four—and make a plan.
Here’s an example: Let’s say you want to leave work early so you can get to the restaurant on time for the meal you ordered. You have to be more focused in the hours before work. You know social media is your main distraction. So, put your phone on silent and put it in an adjacent room to avoid temptation and get closer to your desires.
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Self-discipline Mistake #2: You Take on Too Much
Sabine Votteler is an expert in career change with over 25 years of management experience herself. Today, as a coach, she primarily advises managers like herself who want to become self-employed — a step that requires a great deal of discipline and a high degree of personal responsibility.
The coach recommends “assigning” each item in the work well and setting milestones. A mistake many people make when starting a new project, job or position is taking on too much responsibility. “Small steps are often enough, because success depends on how often you take those steps, not their size.”
If you do set yourself too high, it’s important to take into account possible setbacks rather than viewing them as failures. “Be nimble in your plans,” says Christian da Silva Ley, sales coach at Rheinland Insurance Group.
The sales specialist also manages a training platform there where his clients can book workshops and coaching on topics such as self-management and personal responsibility. The topic of self-discipline has always been the focus of attention. His advice: “If you deviate from the plan, keep going anyway. Analyze the cause of the setback, learn from it, adjust your approach, and be better prepared for the future.”
Self-discipline Mistake #3: Your Work Environment Is Wrong
Anyone who has ever tried to perform complex tasks in an open office should know how important it is to have an orderly and quiet work environment. Not just a noisy office, but a home office can create distractions: the inhibitions to surf the web privately or do chores at the same time are lessened.
Workplace order also affects productivity: A study by the Fraunhofer Institute found that around 27% of daily work time is wasted simply due to poorly coordinated processes in the workplace.
That’s why sales coach Christian da Silva Ley advises: “Design your workplace so that it’s free from distractions so you can fully focus on your tasks.” Possible The first step is to organize. “A tidy workspace helps you stay focused and develops self-discipline.”
Another routine you can stick to is Taiichi Ohno’s 5S method. He became famous because he helped shape the production system that automaker Toyota still uses today. Ohno’s model applies not only to entire companies, but also to individuals. To do this, follow five simple steps:
1. Sort: Divide all material in the workplace into three areas: important (“always needed”), partially important (“sometimes needed”), and unimportant (“no business here”). So, take a good look at your workplace and clear out any excess.
2. Systematize: Build meaningful orders that fit your needs. For example, label drawers or compartments so items that are no longer needed can be put back where they belong and easily found next time. The designated location should be within sight.
3. Clean up: Clean out your workplace on a regular basis — preferably daily. Things that are no longer needed are thrown away. Plus, get to the bottom of the mess.
4. Standardization: If you’ve been following the first three steps of the 5S method on a regular basis, they should become a daily standard in your workplace. So instead of spending too much time thinking about what has space on your desk, you have a clear categorization in no time.
5. Self-discipline: Make the 5S method a habit. For example, to eliminate your old behavioral patterns from the start, place a checklist in your workplace to remind you of the process of the method every day. At some point, sorting, arranging, and organizing will become automated.
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