Whoa!?! Discipline and willpower are overrated?  For most people, yes.  It is human nature to be an instant gratification junkie.  To be lazy, to seek comfort, to do what is convenient has become a habit for many.  We tend to have great intentions then do not follow through and conjure up great excuses.  I have caught myself doing this too many times. If you are like me and routinely find yourself doing things that do not align with your long term vision, then you probably are probably a little bit frustrated and need some help.

So I had to take a closer look at what was holding me back from the living a better life.  I wrongly assumed that discipline and willpower would be the answer.  Unfortunately, I am not that strong.  After I admit that I am not perfect and realize discipline and willpower are a weakness of mine, I follow a simple strategy.

2 simple things you can do:

1. Remove yourself immediately from an environment where it is easy to make poor decisions
   
2. Prepare your environment with only good options from which to choose
   

• Want to stop smoking?  #1) Do not hang out with smokers #2) Throw away cigarettes and never buy again
• Want to stop watching endless TV at night?  #1) Remove the TV from your bedroom #2)  Put a book on your nightstand
• Want to stop eating fast food?  #1) Forbid yourself from driving into the parking lot of a fast food restaurant  #2) Pack your lunch
• Want to stop snacking on junk food? #1) Eat only at home #2) Throw away all junk food in your house
• Want to stop drinking?  #1) Stay away from bars, parties where alcohol is served #2)  Throw out all alcohol and replace with healthy beverages

This strategy will take some practice. These tactics may seem drastic to some.  But if you are serious about changing your behavior, then it is necessary. No one said it was easy.

Leave a comment and tell me what you do when discipline and willpower are not enough.