7 Things Self-Sufficient People Do

Self-sufficiency helps you build confidence in yourself. It keeps you trusting in your abilities and working towards your dreams. It is key to accomplishing more and realizing that you have what it takes to live the best life possible. It also reminds you that you are enough.

 

The only way to succeed in life is by learning self-reliance and depending more on yourself and less on others or what they can do for you. This not only keeps you sure of yourself but also earns you respect. When people know that you are an independent thinker, they will respect you. You will not be constantly stepped on. Their criticism won’t affect you much because you have the upper hand and complete control of your life.

 

Here are 7 things self-sufficient people do that you should start doing right away to find the peace you need and become the best version of yourself; 

 

1. Trust in your abilities

 

Self-sufficient people trust in their abilities and know they have what it takes to reach their goals. So, do you trust you can achieve your goals? If not, learn to trust yourself. Build your self-confidence and realize that you are the answer you’ve been searching for. You are the only one who can turn your dreams into reality. 

 

2. Work on your dreams

 

Self-reliant people keep their eyes on their vision and are always working on their dreams. You have to understand that the only way to turn your life around is by acting. So, set goals and work towards reaching them. Make it your aim to get one step closer to your goal every day. 

 

Be content with the life you have right now but don’t settle. Look forward to the life you desire and work hard to bring your vision to life. 

 

3. Stay positive

 

If you spend half the day thinking “My situation is hopeless”, “I will never go that far”, or “This is only meant for so and so” you will lose faith in yourself and fail to find the strength you need to move forward. 

 

Cultivate a positive attitude and tell yourself that you will make it. Picture the life you want and remind yourself each morning that you will get there. 

 

“I deserve all the best that life has to offer”, “Life is what I make of it”, and “I will make it” are phrases you need to use to stay optimistic and motivated.

 

4. Provide for your needs

 

Self-sufficiency is about being able to provide for your own needs and take care of yourself. It’s about taking care of yourself financially and never relying on anyone for anything. So, be independent. Increase your earning potential or start a side hustle. 

 

Learn a new skill or look for ways to earn passive income so you can cover your expenses. 

 

5. Manage your finances

 

Managing your finances is key to self-reliance. So, learn to manage your money the right way. Cut off unnecessary expenses and only spend your money on things that matter. Have a monthly budget and stick to it.

 

Save and make smart investments. Always set aside a certain percentage of your weekly or monthly earnings to sustain yourself or use in case of emergencies. Invest your money or time in things that you believe in or things that will help you get one step closer to becoming independent.

 

6. Avoid debt

 

Debt is one of the main things that lead to stress, quarrels, and feelings of inadequacy. It can distract you from working on your goals and pave the way to negative thinking. So, avoid it. Learn to spend, save, and manage the money you have to avoid stress. 

 

Look for ways to double your income if you have a 9-5 job. Start a side gig or invest in something that will improve your earnings. 

 

Learn about entrepreneurship and find out how you can earn more money daily, weekly, or monthly. 

 

7. Manage your relationships

 

You are only as happy as the people you surround yourself with. Self-sufficient people know that. That is why they are careful of who they spend their time with. 

 

Consider your inner circle. Who are the people you spend most of your time with? Are you learning anything from them? Do they motivate you to chase your dreams and constantly progress? Do they challenge your thinking and the way you see life? Do they encourage you to grow? If you answered NO to any of these questions, you need to re-consider your relationships. 

 

Surround yourself with optimists and people who challenge you to do better and be more. 

 

Your inner circle has the power to make or break you. So, be careful who you spend your time with.

 

Have the right people in your life and learn to make time for your relationships because they are as important as becoming independent in all areas of your life. 

 

Be The Anchor Of Your Life

An anchor is a tool used to hold a ship or boat in place to keep them from sailing away on their own. One of my favorite old hymns says, 'Will your anchor hold in the storms of life when clouds unfold their wings of strife? When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain, will your anchor drift or firm remain?’. Forget about singing the song and ask yourself those questions. Considering that life is so fragile and complex with so much going on, what is the best thing, or who is the best person to entrust your journey here on earth with? For most people, the source of strength is the faith they have in celestial beings. Their absolute being relies on their spiritual life. Thus, if you were to ask what their anchor is, they would name whichever deity they believe in. However, our faith normally lays a foundation for us to build our lives and leaves the rest to us. Can whatever you rely on for strength pull you through the worst situations of life? 

 

After our faith has built a foundation, it is up to us to then build the walls and secure our lives. Storms of life are inevitable and, they will come in different forms. Some will shack our boats to a point where we don’t see the possibility of a better life beyond the storm. As much as it would be greatly beneficial to have others carry our burdens with us, how effective or sustainable is that? 

 

Being the anchor of your life means having the ability to keep your life on your purposed track regardless of what you encounter. Even where you do find help, you are still the one responsible for the major tasks meant to carry you forward. It requires you to put together your faith and life lessons to build a more secure life. It is also about you finding ways to be your own hero. Here is why you should be the main actor in your story and be the anchor of your life:

 

1.  Others may not always be there – it is very common for people to put way too much trust in others particularly their friends, spouse, and family. This happens mostly in codependent relationships where one attaches their entire being to their relationships with other people such that they lose a part of themselves to those people. What happens when those people leave or grief strikes? That is where you then find people broken, confused, and hopeless, unable to move forward. What happens when the friend who often offers a shoulder to cry on is having issues and is unavailable to give you support. Does life have to stop and wait for that person to get back to you? As your support system, you learn to control emotions and other mental issues enough to stay focused and keep going even when people come into your life and leave. You maintain your identity and find contentment in the person you are.

 

2.  You know yourself and your life better – no one can understand your situation better than you do. That makes you the best person to deal with your situation where others would most likely miss the mark or mislead you. Sometimes we handle situations better with fewer voices suggesting to us different ways of running our lives. Handling our situations gives us a chance, to be honest with ourselves and self-introspect. Other than that, your dreams will keep you going where those who don’t understand your purpose give up on you and your dreams. 

 

3.  You become stronger and wiser – imagine yourself having people assigned to take care of all your tasks including solving personal problems. Where would that leave you? You miss the opportunity to learn more about life and yourself. When you are independent, everything goes through you. You know what you did wrong or right for things to turn out the way they are, which allows you to build onto your existing knowledge. Exposure to challenging situations will help you become mentally stronger while you also discover more of your abilities.

 

4.  Safety from exploitation and unhealthy relationships – self-reliance protects you from those who would take advantage of your situation had you relied on them more. Many people have fallen victim to various types of abuse while some have found themselves trapped in difficult situations because they put too much trust in other people. Being in control of your life allows you to choose the path that works for you. Dependence exposes your weaknesses and makes you easy prey to predators.

 

5.  Independence and identity – as alluded to previously, with self-reliance you choose how you want to run your life. You are not under pressure or too desperate to please people to the extent of losing yourself in the process. For example, some people are often forced to match their parents’ achievements and some are used to correct their parent’s mistakes. On the other hand, some spouses give their partners too much control and voluntarily surrender their all to the partner in an attempt to prove their commitment. Such levels of submission hinder people from living their lives to the fullest.

 

6.  Easier to stay true to your purpose – being the one who calls the shots keeps you from forgetting who you are and losing direction. Due to that, it is easier to keep your eyes on your goals and to work on the latter at a pace that works for you.

 

Believing In Yourself Is The First Step To Self-Sufficiency

Self-sufficiency is about being adequate and being enough, it is this adequacy that infuses, faith in oneself. A person cannot claim to say that they are self-sufficient without believing in themselves first. Self-belief is healthy confidence about who you are, what you can do and the possibilities that lie ahead of you. Believing in self is the bedrock of self-sufficiency. 

 

Believe in your abilities

 

The first step to believing in yourself is believing in your abilities. That which you can and cannot do. Your abilities distinguish you from the rest of all the people because you bring in that you factor. We can all be accountants but there is no way I can be the very same accountant as you are because I am not the next person. Each of us brings something to the table. To be self-sufficient you have to have a healthy belief in your ability to do something. Miley Cyrus says if you believe in yourself anything is possible. It may seem like an impossible feat but when you believe in what you can do you can even surprise yourself. Stories have been told of people that have thrived against odds, all because they believed in themselves and what they can do.

 

Believe in your talents 

 

Talents and abilities are different. Abilities are those things that you do and have learned to do them well over time. Ability is what you can do. Talents, on the other hand, are like heaven's little marble balls of giftings to each of us. For Serena Williams it's tennis, for you, it could be something different. To be self-sufficient, it is key to note that instead of just believing in your abilities, believe as well in the innate giftings and talents that you have. Sometimes these can afford you a career and you can use that to be self-sufficient financially instead of being reliant on other people to live your best life. 

 

Believe in your ideas

 

One of the greatest assets given to mankind to enable them to be sufficient is the mind. Your mind was given to you so that you can have ideas that will lead you to sufficiency. Anything that we see today in this world is all due to what someone thought and believed and then put in the work to materialize the dream. When you are self-sufficient you know that because you are worth it, your ideas are also worthy. So instead of looking down on yourself because your idea is not the greatest, be bold and believe that you are enough and that your ideas are also enough. No one had an idea that was supported the first time around. Oprah Winfrey had an idea that she wanted to be on television even though at the time, black people were not prominent on television screens and secondly, the environment was wreathed in patriarchy and chauvinism, she pitched her idea anyway, and she made it because she understood that she is self-sufficient and so are you.

 

Believe in your dream

 

Believing in yourself is also about believing in your dreams. Those things you believe you are meant to be doing to make this world a better place. Regardless of who you are, we have a place in this world and you have a role to play no matter how small you may think that role to be. Those dreams that you have are valid and they do matter. Believing in your dreams leads to being self-sufficiency because it's knowing that you are worthy of dreaming and being here. As the quote says, Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.” “Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself.” 

 

In conclusion, for you to understand and harness the power of self-sufficiency the first step is believing in yourself. When you believe in yourself you have an appreciation of your self-worth. You know that you can be and do anything that you set your mind to achieve. You know that you are the value, not the job, not the opportunity but that you bring with you all that you are to the opportunity. Believing in yourself reminds you of what heights you can leap to and the things that are possible for you. You not only have the dream but you are endowed with everything it takes to succeed. So, believing in yourself is about believing in your abilities, your giftings and talents, your ideas, and most importantly your dream. The more you believe in yourself the more self-sufficient you are.

 

Learn To Depend On Yourself

In a world where everyone is busy trying to make their way to success, you find that there is a need for people to become more self-reliant. While we look to our close friends and family for support, we need to develop a level of independence. It allows us some control over the direction of our lives. 

 

There is nothing more powerful than being your person. Having the freedom to make your own decisions and dictate the course of your life can be a heady experience. It allows you to curate the map of your life. 

 

The challenge today is how most people rely so much on external factors to be happy. Being happy has become associated with materiality. It has become about being in superficial relationships for the sake of being ‘couple goals’. It has also been reduced to the trendiest cars and most expensive mansions. 

 

With the pressure of social media, many are forced to conform to a certain standard of life for them to be socially acceptable. We trade our identities and our values to suit the perception that people have of what we ought to be. This is why we have so many people working themselves to the bone trying to attain prestigious titles in the corporate world, all while they still feel that empty void within themselves.

 

Our level of dependence has us blaming those who hurt us in our past for our lack of progress. We keep looking to others to save us from the rut that our lives have become, never fully realizing that no one can save us except ourselves. Everyone else is too busy with their race. Even your closest circle may not always be there to carry your burdens for you. It is only when we learn to draw strength from within ourselves that we find the power to climb out of the pit and back onto the path of fulfillment.

 

Self-reliance is the key to happiness.

 

There is potential for you to be great. No one can unlock it for you except yourself. It takes guts to step out of the comfort of family and friends to find your wings. When you learn to be independent, you get to discover who you are as a person and what you want out of your life. It ceases to be about what other people expect you to become. It becomes about finding your purpose and building on your vision.

 

You cannot deny how good it feels to accomplish great things under the steam of your strength. Not only does discovering what you are capable give you confidence, but it also keeps you motivated to discover more hidden skills in you. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, you develop the confidence to put your skills to the test. That is the story for every successful person. They developed enough confidence to go into unchartered territories and made names for themselves. It is also possible for that story to become yours.

 

Think back to the decisions you have made over the years. How many of them were influenced by other people? If you are, to be honest, some choices you made were not the best for you. If you had a major decision that would propel you into success, would you not jump at it without second-guessing it? That is what self-reliance rewards you with- the ability to make choices that are right for you, without concerning yourself with people’s opinions about it. 

 

While it is good to seek guidance on major decisions, let no one else hold the power to steer your life in the wrong direction. All the choices you make should center on what you want so that you avoid having any regrets. The beauty of independent thinking is that you get to make the right decision with no one forcing their opinions on you. With self-reliance, you can listen to advise from others but, ultimately, you know it is your decision and only you must live with the consequences.

 

Depending on yourself gives you control over your life. It allows you to go out and make mistakes, learning and growing from them. It is the surest way to develop compassion for yourself and others when you know that you have tried your best despite the outcome of your endeavors being unfavorable. 

 

How to stop being too dependent on other people.

 

Discover yourself.

 

Individuality is important in all your associations. Never allow yourself to be absorbed into another person’s life so much that you end up losing sight of who you are and what you want. Maintain your existence. Have your friends. Indulge your interests. Spend time with yourself outside of your relationships with others. Only then can you discover what is hidden in you. 

 

Be more assertive.

 

It is important to have a voice. Have a say in the decisions that impact your life. Become more confident in yourself. Know your worth so that people do not walk all over you. If you are assertive, people will respect your opinions and value your contribution.

 

Take up responsibility for your life.

 

Nothing makes you more self-reliant than being responsible for your own decisions and your happiness. Accept that the power to change your life lies in your hands and no one else’s. Be responsible to do certain tasks for yourself. You can start cleaning up after yourself, organizing your office space. 

 

You can only achieve true happiness in life when you are in control of your thoughts, choices, and behaviors. While you may lean on others from time to time for support and help, you should not depend on them for your happiness or survival. And only when you can stand on your own two feet in this way can you feel self-reliant and genuinely content.

 

Look To Yourself For Validation

‘Seeking validation will keep you trapped. You do not need anyone or anything to approve your worth.’

 

One thing that keeps many people from reaching their true potential is the constant need for approval. It is sad to see how we are so willing to conform to what other people want us to be at the expense of our happiness. We have allowed ourselves to be reliant on the opinions of the people around us. No wonder many of us are living miserable and frustrated lives. We are not taking responsibility for the course of our lives because we are too concerned about what others think. 

 

Unfortunately, many of us have discarded our dreams in favor of other people’s visions for us. Some people are in relationships and professions that they are unhappy with just because they allowed other people to influence their choices, without considering what would bring them happiness. Other people miss opportunities to make a great impact because they always hold themselves back, lest they fail and others mock them for it.

 

You can only become great if you break out of the cycle that requires you to seek acceptance from people who do not even share your passion, vision, and values. 

 

Why do we seek approval from others.

 

Many times, the need for validation stems from our insecurities. We lack the confidence to believe that we are enough on our own. We feel so inadequate because we do not believe that we can achieve anything without other people cheering us on. Our very sense of worth is so little that we feel we need the praise of those around us to become valuable.

 

Sometimes the need for validation comes after unfortunate life events knock our confidence down a peg. When we experience loss or failure in any form, it does a lot to put us down. The sting of failure often makes us hesitant to try anything that risks us getting hurt or rejected. That knock to our self-esteem keeps us from doing anything we are unsure of unless other people get behind the idea and hold our hand through it.

 

Another reason we seek acceptance is that we are eager to please the people that surround us. Having an unhealthy attachment to the praise and applause of others will trap you into doing everything you can to keep that praise coming, even if it means compromising your values.

 

Seeking validation comes naturally to people who are not confident in their identity. Such people are always looking for ways to fit in. That need to be accepted takes root during adolescence. Young people grapple with an identity crisis because they just want to be part of the cool crowd. It does not help that this follows us into adulthood. There is pressure for people to live fake lives just to please others. You only have to look at social media to see how much pressure people are under to do certain things just to be rated among the best on the platforms they are on.

 

It is difficult to gain approval from people because their perception of what is acceptable is constantly changing with the times. It is frustrating to try and keep up with such fickle preferences. The only validation you need in your life can only come from your conviction that you are enough. 

 

Look within for validation. 

 

‘Anytime you put your self-worth in the hands of someone or something outside of you, you are at their mercy.’

 

Seeking acknowledgment from others for something you have done well is natural. Desiring appreciation for what you have achieved is not bad. The problem comes when you constantly need someone else to praise you for you to feel any sense of worth. When that approval fails to come, you can feel like you have not done enough. It amplifies your insecurities.

 

When you acknowledge your strength and efforts, knowing that you have given your best to accomplish something, you do not need to rely on others for approval. You should always give yourself credit for the efforts you make to achieve your goals. It takes a lot of confidence to put yourself out there. Acknowledge that even when no one does it for you.

 

If you have faith in your skills and abilities, you will not need to look to others for approval or permission. You simply step up where you feel the need to without doubting yourself or asking if you deserve the chance to try. Develop confidence in yourself by seeing yourself in a positive light. Acknowledge your strengths and accept your shortcomings. Permit yourself to put your skills to the test instead of cowering back in fear of what people may think. 

 

Every time you fall or fail is a testament to your resilience. Never let people knock down your confidence just because you tried something, and it did not work out. Otherwise, you will be stagnant, wasting away your potential to do great things. Everyone experiences moments of failure. Only the brave know that you can try again until success is a given.

 

Live life on your terms. Never let the influence of another person hinder you from doing what you want to do. Conforming to their opinions will only plunge you into regrets. 

 

‘Validation is a manifestation of self-doubt.’ Laura Haver.

 

Any self-doubt will leave you vulnerable to seeking the approval of others. Believe in yourself. Appreciate the value you bring to the table and praise your efforts to accomplish all that you can. When that approval becomes second nature, you will not seek the praise of others.

 

Reasons Why You Should Be More Self-Sufficient

Self-sufficiency is not only about not needing outside help to sustain your physical self or, satisfying yourself with the basic needs without external assistance.

 

It also embodies being emotionally and intellectually independent. This means you can rationalize your thoughts and make your own decisions. Your decisions become less influenced by your surroundings. In a more loosely used phrase, it means you can ‘think for yourself’. 

 

Perhaps, you may argue that one cannot entirely rely on him /her self alone – More so, it’s even impossible to live a solo life without taking other people’s aid since life is full of unpredictable mishaps. And I agree, but, there’s a catch.

 

The bottom line, you cannot always depend on others. As you step into adulthood, you’ll realize that everyone is running their solo races. In as much as you have family and friends to help you with whatever you need, you should be more self-reliant and stand on your own two feet - And this is why.

 

Here are 4 reasons why you should be more self-sufficient.

 

1.    You Build a Sense of Self-worth

 

To me, nothing is as annoying as being told ‘No’. No, you can’t afford it! No, we can’t do that for you! Or, no, do it yourself! This will get you furious right? But why?

 

The answer Is simple. The reason you cannot afford to buy what you want is that you’re not financially self-sufficient. You cannot do it yourself because you did not acquire the skill and knowledge to be self-competent. And now you’re furious because you’re waiting for validation from others.

 

There’s a sense of self-worth that comes with sustaining yourself on your terms. This self-worth builds from understanding that your thoughts, your time, and your needs are important too. As a result, you no longer have to let other people waste your time just so you can get what you want. Likewise, you’ll also avoid a lot of disappointments from others simply because you no longer depend on them so much. 

 

From grasping your self-worth, you also attain two more positive qualities. Self-confidence and self-esteem. 

 

Having a healthy sense of self-confidence means you can trust your abilities and judgment. You don’t allow yourself to be underestimated. You are more reliant on yourself and assertive with what you need. Against all odds, you’ll work hard to provide for yourself those needs.

 

2.    You Become a Sole Controller of Your Destiny

 

Certain goals are meant to be run solo. 

 

A lot of dreams and goals had to die premature deaths due to lack of resources.

Let’s start with a more typical example. You wake up one morning with the set intention to cook your family a nice dinner. You carefully set the menu in place incorporating everyone’s favorite dishes. You even include some new treats you want to try out. As you sit, you compile the recipes. However, you then realize that you don’t have all the ingredients needed. 

 

Your neighbors are 5kms from your house - The grocery store is 10 more kilometers from the next house – And you’re all alone in the middle of the day. With no other way to source out this thoughtful goal, the whole plan dies.

 

In this instance, a more self-reliant person would’ve been better prepared. Perhaps, having a garden would’ve helped or saving some money before stocking on all the basic commodities.

 

We can both relate to self-sufficiency in so many ways. The list of possible scenarios is endless.

 

Again, imagine getting a flat tire in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception. Or, you get a power cut at home for a whole week. Are you going to be able to take care of yourself? 

 

It is very liberating knowing that you can take care of yourself if anything ever goes wrong. 

 

If you’re more self-dependent, you can decide the quality of life you wish to live. You get to be in the driver’s seat driving to your set destiny. 

 

3.    You Gain Financial Freedom

 

Being co-dependent on your soul partner, family, or parents restricts you from exploring your potential. You’ll never truly know how much you’re capable of achieving on your own if you’re always looking for help.

 

The luxuries and fancy lifestyles come with a price tag. Houses, cars, clothes, exotic vacation destinations all need money.

 

If you’re not born into wealth, then you need to hear this. Relying on another person’s budget will cripple all your chances of enjoying all the luxuries that you deserve. Without a stable source of income, you can’t buy what you want, travel, or spoil your loved ones. 

 

Financial freedom comes after embracing how to be self-dependent and live within your means. This means you’re free from debt. You can save money and prepare yourself for stormy days.

 

4.    You Increase Your Health and Wellness

The vicious cycle is clear. 

 

When you’re self-sufficient you understand and live your independence emotionally and physically. You’re intentional with the quality of life you want. You set and pursue goals assertively. You attain more resources and secure your finances. You sleep better at night because you don’t have loan sharks, landlords, and debt collectors breathing down your neck. 

 

You live in self-gratification. Your health and wellness are promoted. And the cycle repeats itself.

 

Life can become so much sweeter if you take the lead role in implementing your decisions and positive actions.

 

Self-Discipline Conditions Self-Sufficiency

It takes discipline to do anything and do it well. Ask the most successful people and they will tell you the huge role that self-control plays in ensuring that you make it to the top. Having full control of your emotions and your reactions to negative circumstances is a skill that everyone should desire because it keeps you in check. 

 

There is no way you can depend on yourself if you are unreliable. You need to have control over yourself, keeping your word at all times. If you constantly let yourself down by failing to do the things you commit to, you will lose confidence in your ability to achieve anything of significance. 

 

Self-sufficiency requires you to stay true to who you are and to what you believe in. It demands control over the decisions that you make. Without that discipline, it is difficult to be independent of other people’s opinions. Instead, you will stop doing what you know is right in favor of things that make you feel validated.

 

Someone who is self-reliant strongly believes in themselves. That is not to say that doubt does not creep in when things fail to go according to plan. It takes a lot of discipline to shut out voices that influence you to think less of yourself or your dreams. 

Train yourself to remain positive in the face of adversity, otherwise, you will constantly bow to everything that threatens to bring you down.

 

To be truly independent, you need the discipline to stick to your path when everyone else is abandoning theirs to pursue emerging trends. In a world where people rely heavily on the approval of others before making any moves, you need to trust yourself to do things without always asking your close friends for validation.

 

It is difficult to step out on your own because there is always a chance that you will not land where you want to be. Failure always makes us question our adequacy in pursuing the things we want. Instead of allowing your esteem to be shaken, control your reaction to every setback and every failure you encounter. To cling to a chosen path after falling is commendable. It brings growth and resilience. All of this requires discipline.

  

How to Develop Self-Control to Maintain Your Independence:

 

Discover yourself and what you stand for.

 

Once you discover your purpose, you must do everything in your power to live according to it. This culminates into the values and ethics that govern you. These keep you grounded and keep you from compromising on the things that make you who you are. You will not feel pressured to play according to the rules of others. 

 

Accept your flaws.

 

Self-acceptance is a vital part of attaining self-sufficiency. When you embrace yourself, with all your shortcomings, you will not feel the need to hide behind others. Instead, it gives you the desire to hone the skills and talents you possess to find your place in society. Loving yourself just as you are will stop you from trying to fit in where you are forced to hide your true identity from others.

 

Have a vision.

 

Nothing keeps you focused on being the best version of yourself than having a vision of where you want to go. What meaning do you want to add to your life and the lives of those around you? Keeping your goals in sight will stop you from focusing on what other people are doing or what they think of you, especially if you are fully committed to achieving everything you set out to do.

 

Be accountable to yourself.

 

When you commit to certain tasks, make sure you follow through. Never make excuses because there is no one to demand accountability from you. You will only feel disappointed in yourself when you let yourself down by slacking off on the things you committed to doing. Keep track of the tasks you need to accomplish. You can do so by keeping a journal or a planner.

 

Understand your capacity.

 

If you take on more than you can handle, you will wear yourself out fast. Instead of committing yourself to enormous projects in one go, break them into smaller tasks that you can manage. Biting off more than you can chew may cause failure and in turn, chip away at your self-esteem.

 

Make room for failure.

 

No matter how much effort you put into any project, there is always a chance that things will not go the way you want them to. It takes self-control not to fold when everything around you demands it. 

 

You should never let yesterday’s failure stop you from shaping the future of your tomorrow.

 

Viewing failure in a positive light will equip you to handle whatever life throws at you. After all, without the challenges, there would be no growth.

 

Healthy self-reliance is a key to a gratifying and productive life. It gives you a chance to take the reins off and steer your life in the direction you want. Without discipline, that task can be intimidating. It takes self-control to do life the way you want and not conform to everyone else’s dictates.

 

‘Motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing.’ John. C. Maxwell.