Notes

The importance of discipline
Breaking my essay down so that it fit's into a 4 minute speech

What are the key points of my essay?
Introduction: The purpose of my speech is to inform you all on the importance of self-discipline, what the definition is, the steps to achieve it, and the pros and cons and the effects it can have on future outcomes when applied. In other words to inform my audience on the capabilities of self-discipline

The first main point of self-discipline is that it is the ability to control impulses and desires in order to align one's actions with their long-term goals. Being able to delay gratification for greater rewards in the future is a crucial aspect to achieving success. Usually when a person is exerts self-discipline they are trying to train and control oneself for self-improvement. The word self-discipline tends to have a negative connotation associated with it, because people think about punishment when they hear the word discipline. A couple of why's according to Cornell University is that it could make it less likely for a person to give in to temptation and make reckless decisions. For example a person has planned that when they get off work they are going to shower, eat dinner, wash the dishes, brush their teeth and then go to bed. But instead of washing the dishes they decide to just brush their teeth and go to bed without thinking about the consequences thoughtfully. This action has consequences because the person now has to clean the dirty pile of dishes later, they're increasing their work load that could've been minimized if they'd just taken the time to wash the dishes, and there's potential of it affecting their mental health because of the clutter and dirty environment in the kitchen it could contribute to a person's stress and anxiety. Self-discipline is an ability that can be learned through conscious decision making for oneself through taking steps to being self-disciplined

The second main point is the steps on how to do it
First steps identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Strengths are for finding what a person is skilled, talented, or where their attributes lie, while weaknesses are where a person's blind spots are, problematic behaviors, or underdeveloped areas. There are several categories to separate strengths in intellectual, emotional, physical, theological, restraints, and interpersonal. A person could have a minimal amount of strengths across a broad number of area's or a concentration of strengths in a few areas. Also if a person is to have strengths in one area then it is likely that they are going to have strengths in an area that is similar. It's important for a person to know their own strengths in order know-themselves better and to make decisions that will align with their values. Furthermore, a person being aware of their weaknesses can show them where there are gaps in their understanding and they can work to address these gaps and increase their chances of succeeding in their endeavor

The second step is to set goals, by setting goals a person is deciding where they are going to focus their time, energy, and effort, it gives them a direction in life. A purpose, people who set goals should define what they are and how they will know they have arrived. The third step is removing temptations, by removing temptations from their environment you can greatly enhance your self-control. . For example, if someone wanted to minimize eating sugar. First, they could clear out all the sugary snacks that they have whether they donate them or give them to a family member. If these goods are not easily accessible it would could make it less likely that a person indulges in them due to them having to put in the effort to go to the store and buy these goods again. Secondly a person wanting to minimize eating sugar would want to find healthy alternatives like raspberries, kiwis and blueberries. These are all low-sugar fruits that satisfy that craving for sugar then be mindful of what they choose to eat focusing on the nutritional value of food rather than the flavor and texture could potentially help them reduce hunger pangs that may lead to reaching for a sugary snack. The person would then need to set daily progress makers asking themselves “what do I need to do in order to reach this goal, each day or week” and just regularly check in with themselves on a set schedule Also, per Yale university’s words visualizing can prove to be useful, as it can be motivation to remind someone why they started or the desired outcomes from their journey. Next “do what you can” not everything relating to a person’s goal is immediately available. Therefore, there is no need to go all out and start big, a person could start small and make consistent progress although it may feel like this hard work will not pay off it has a better chance than intense and inconsistent action. Developing good daily habits as well can prove to help develop self-discipline as it will help guide a person to accomplishing their long-term goal. For example, setting aside twenty-five minutes every day to oneself to journal to create a habit, prioritize reflection, tracking personal growth, and it enhances clarity.

By prioritizing consistency and self-reflection, a person can observe patterns in their thoughts and emotions, track their personal development, and gain valuable insight into their inner lives. Be resilient and prioritize self-care to avoid burning out; when expecting failure, a person can prepare for it and consider scenarios and their probabilities for coming true.
Transitioning from the steps of self-discipline to an evaluation of its merits and demerits on personal growth and future outcomes, it is important to consider the pros and cons when practicing self-discipline in achieving long-term goals.

The third main point is the pros and cons and the impact on future outcomes
So, what are the pros and cons of practicing self-discipline that it can have on a person trying to achieve long-term goals? Some pros according to Cornell University is that it can lead a person to achieve their full potential. Since humans are always learning and improving I think it would be a better use of words to say that people learn what they are capable of and then they're able to utilize their capabilities to live a fulfilling and satisfying life because of self-discipline. One con as stated by Cornell University is that it could lead a person to become overly rigid and do not allow themselves to adapt and evolve. Self-discipline is helpful because it creates structure and consistency in a person's life which can be a stable foundation for some individuals. However, there are times when obstacles appear and what once worked is now obsolete. Which will then call for a person to be flexible and change their ways of thinking or their approach. Individuals with high levels of self-discipline may exhibit rigid thinking patterns, where everything is deliberate, and surprises are perceived as dangerous