The silent "D" in workshifting stands for self-discipline. The freedom of "office anywhere" allows us to have is sometimes dangerous for the new workshifter. It is easy for the high productivity environment created by working outside the office to have the opposite effect. Not having the office to discipline us requires that we discipline ourselves. This can be hard (Remember the first time you left home on your own).  

Self-disciple is part of our character. It is not willpower or a set of activities. I used to believe I was disciplined because I had a planned calendar and kept to it. I now believe it is deeper. To develop discipline we must start with our thoughts. Our thoughts then determine our actions. Our actions develop habits and our habits form character.

Thoughts --> Actions --> Habits = Character

Simple (not always easy) ways to achieve self-discipline:

Remember what you want most, not now. Focus on your goal. Adopt long-term thinking as opposed to short-term thinking. Set up short range rewards along the way to get you to the next step. If you get this- You have won 75% of the battle.

Advanced decision making. Make your decisions ahead of time. When the choice needs to be made, it isn't as hard. For example, if I decide before I go to dinner that I am not going to order dessert,  when the waiter asks at the restaurant, it is easier to choose "no" because I already decided.  

Consistent action. Repeated actions lead to habits. Habits form your character. Start with a simple area to be consistent in. I have a friend who started making her bed each morning to develop a consistent habit. This small habit formed a character of discipline which has permeated into her professional life.

The freedom to workshift is a blessing or a curse. Discipline determines which one we experience.

What do you do to create a character of self-discipline?

Photo Credit: qousqous