Balancing compassion with self-discipline

Self-discipline or self-compassion alone will not create the most productive results, you need both!

If you focus solely on self-discipline, you can easily burn out, you can have trouble sleeping, and get caught up in creating a pattern of hustle working which can cause stress. On the reverse, if you focus solely on self-compassion, you’re going to be so preoccupied with not being hard on yourself that you might not achieve your goals in the process.

I don’t naturally prioritise self-care enough, so I have to be disciplined to create patterns of behaviour that I know will support me, like journalling, meditating and exercise. I also need to be compassionate to my stress management needs by using visual planners, calendars and creating a whole host of self-management tools to keep me on track and avoid unnecessary anxiety.

Sometimes you need to be disciplined to be compassionate to yourself and your needs, and other times you need to be compassionate to be disciplined. Do not value one above the other, they work together.

So here are 5 ways to find your balance between self-compassion and self-discipline:

• Routines are not for everyone, allow yourself flexibility, it can be more effective to create a plan tailored to your life than trying to make your life fit in your plan.
• Create structure in your day that promotes discipline while still being realistic, don’t overwhelm your task lists and planners.
• Prioritise including self-care activities tailored to your needs everyday which aims to support a growth mindset, stress management and your self-esteem.
• Step out of your comfort zone and take action while still acknowledging how hard that can be and celebrating your achievement and putting yourself out there.
• Understand and acknowledge what tasks you find energy draining and energy boosting, allow both to be in represented in your day so you’re prioritise both while also being mindful of your own needs.

If you want to find out more about self-compassion, we also have blogs on how self-compassion is productive and how to be compassionate to yourself.

Coming up we also have a Create Your Future session all about how to be a values driven creative on 15 March 2023