Research question​:​ ​How important is the role of self-discipline in one’s life?

Activity performed:
A group discussion with family members and friends on the issue of lack of self discipline in
the present generation and its importance in our lives. This discussion went on for one and
half our on the occasion of dashahra.
Sample size:​ 13 people (7 family members all aged above 35 and 6 friends aged above 20)

Literature Review:
Self discipline is very useful skill that one should possess. Though most people acknowledge
its importance but only few work towards strengthening this. Contrary to common belief
self discipline doesn’t mean being harsh on yourself rather it shows your inner strength and
ability to control and resist to various distractions. Self-discipline helps you to stick to your
plans until you accomplish them. This helps to fight against procrastination and laziness
resulting in an increased inner strength. Self-discipline is also the ability to avoid temporary
success and pleasures for a greater gain which requires hard work and is a bigger goal.
Lack of discipline results in lack of confidence, depression, loss of health and other problems
in youth. A self disciplined person make smaller targets and tries hard to achieve them. With
every promise fulfilled comes greater confidence and motivation for further tasks. On the
other hand lack of self discipline may cause delay in completing smaller tasks in time which
demotivates the person for the upcoming task and this results in piling up of the tasks and
cause even more frustration.

Activity Summary:
I asked all the elders in the group to tell a story each where they felt that they were able to
achieve a certain target only because they were self disciplined or a story where they felt
that if they had been self disciplined than they could have achieved what they could not.
The whole idea behind the activity was to know the importance of self discipline and to
inspire the younger ones to be more self disciplined by learning from the life experiences of
their elders.
Then younger ones were asked to tell a target that they wish to accomplish in near future
and problems they are facing in accomplishing it. Is it the lack of self discipline which is
hindering their success? This helped them to introspect where they have been wrong and
what all they can do to achieve their targets.
Findings and learning:
One issue that I found was that a person is not able to realize that it is the lack of discipline which
keeps them from achieving their targets. Lack of self discipline is visible in every day to day activity
that we do but its self realization doesn’t happen early. People tend to shy away from
responsibilities and keeps on delaying the work till the deadline and this eventually becomes a habit
in our lifestyle. This habit affects our working abilities. We don’t utilize our time wisely. We keep on
delaying the work when the deadline is not in the near future and keeps ourself engaged in
pleasureful activities. We start working when the deadline nears but our body seeks the pleasure
that we have been giving it daily and this switch from rest state to working state is not possible in
one day. Hence the quality of the work goes own and person starts doubting his/her own ability to
perform the task. Had he been more regular on the activity the task could have been easily
completed by the person. Hence the self realization that we lacking self discipline in our lives is very
important.
Elders also suggested some techniques to be self disciplined:
1) Make a schedule and stick to it for some days. This will make a routine for the body and
hence will eradicate laziness from the body.
2) Exercise daily. This keeps the body active for the whole day. A healthier body is very
important for a healthy mind.
3) Think about your long term targets daily. That will act as motivation for you and will never
let you deviate from the path.
4) Keep mobile phone away while studying or working. It becomes an addiction.
5) Meditate daily. This helps to keep mind at peace and helps in calming the body during the
moments of panic.

Anurag Goyal
2016CE10236