While it may come off as a bit harsh, it’s important to understand that this isn’t about diminishing feminine energy. Instead, it’s about becoming more aware of yourself and your surroundings. Self-discipline serves as a valuable tool that helps you establish routines aimed at enhancing your quality of life. It also allows you to let go of negative influences, break free from unhelpful habits, and boost your focus by committing to small daily actions. It’s what many refer to as ‘appreciating the little things in life.’ Essentially, self-discipline encourages you to live in the moment, to truly be present and engage with each experience as it comes.

I recently had the opportunity to visit a Tibetan Buddhist Center, and I was truly struck by the profound silence and the vibrant energy present there, which really aids in personal growth. Self-discipline plays a crucial role for both men and women as they embark on a journey of self-discovery, helping them to organize their thoughts and focus on finding happiness and inner peace. Our minds are aware of the superficial ‘pleasures’ that only lead us astray, but with discipline, we can learn to recognize and steer clear of the harmful distractions that diminish our ability to fully enjoy life’s moments.

Self-discipline starts the moment you decide to take control of your life. It involves writing down who you are, your strengths and weaknesses, your aspirations, and the negative aspects of your life that you recognize. You begin to remove and let go of what isn’t serving you, what’s holding you back from experiencing true joy. Whether you tackle this gradually or all at once is up to you, but remember that every unhealthy habit often has a deeper reason behind why you want to change it (like ‘to be healthy,’ ‘to prioritize family,’ or ‘to achieve career success’). You delve into this motivation and find a healthier substitute that encourages you to move away from the dependency. By giving your mind a solid reason to let go, you can reward yourself for each small victory. For instance, when I decided to quit smoking, I saved the money I would have spent on cigarettes each day. At the end of the month, I would treat myself to a getaway. I kept this up for a year until I felt free from the urge, and now, 17 years later, I have no desire to go back to that unhealthy habit.

Clearing out the clutter in our daily lives and letting go of harmful habits allows us to sharpen our focus, be more engaged in what we’re doing, and ultimately enhances our quality of life. My personal goals revolve around my well-being and happiness, so I’ve opted for activities that bring me joy and energize me each day. I’ve incorporated daily rituals that help me connect with myself and stay aware, ensuring that by the end of the day, I can look back on a list of completed tasks that fill me with satisfaction and gratitude.

During a mindfulness training session, I was encouraged to eat a small piece of chocolate, but I was told to avoid chewing it right away. Instead, I should savor it and describe my sensations with each moment. I began by breaking the chocolate into even smaller pieces, noticing its texture and color. I took in its aroma by gently touching it with my lips before actually tasting it. After that, I placed a small piece in my mouth and let it dissolve, allowing me to fully appreciate the flavors. By the end of this exercise, I realized I had only consumed a tiny bit of chocolate, yet it felt completely satisfying, and I no longer craved more.

Whether it’s your personal life or your job, it’s essential to break your time into smaller actions, focusing fully on each one. Pay attention to details, be present, and commit to what you’re doing right now. Let go of anything that distracts you from being in the moment. I’ve established daily rituals that train my mind to follow my scheduled activities. Sure, unexpected things can happen, but those are rare and help me return to my focus on well-being. Work is just one part of my life, and to enjoy my evenings, I intentionally disconnect from work-related thoughts. I find it helpful to jot down my tasks for the next day. Once they’re written, I can set them aside and shift back into a relaxed state.

Here’s a suggestion: When you decide to engage in an activity like reading a book, consider cutting out other distractions such as browsing social media, doing laundry, or cooking. Set aside an hour to read without any interruptions, and once that hour is up, you can move on to other tasks.