Read time: Under 2 minute

Do you ever find that you lack the discipline to stick with something new? Maybe it’s a new exercise program, a new diet, a new meditation habit, giving up coffee or alcohol…whatever it is, you start with good intentions but after a while it fades away.  Often we talk about finding the “discipline” to follow through with these goals. But what if we focused on our honesty rather than the discipline?

Can we be honest with ourselves about our temptations, our cravings, our attempt to make up important sounding excuses to help us justify why we had to stop our goal? Once we can be open and honest with ourselves about these tendencies, we can then start to work on how to keep ourselves on track. 

My son recently did an online push-up challenge. You had to put in $20 to join and you were guaranteed at least your money back if you completed the challenge. If you didn’t complete it, your $20 was spread out to those that did finish. Not only did he finish, but he won more than his $20 back…which I was so proud of him for! 

This is a good example of incentive. If you find yourself falling short of your goals, tell a friend you’ll give them something that you find valuable (for example $500, your favorite handbag, a spa day) if you don’t finish…no matter what the reason. If it really matters to you, make the gift significant. 

Use that fine as incentive to stick with your goal no matter how tired or how busy you are. You will see with brutal honesty and the right incentive, you’ll find your discipline.

Better yet, WHEN you follow through on your goal, treat yourself to a spa day, a nice meal or something special for you!