What Is Personal Development and Why Should You Care?
Mark Kennedy
26 March 2025
Sometimes, we think that school gives learning a bit of a bad reputation. There is so much more to learning than lessons,
When it comes to succeeding at school, in life, and beyond, there’s one skill that often makes the biggest difference; self-discipline. This doesn’t mean that in order to have a successful life, you have to constantly be self-disciplined, but if there is a goal you have in mind that you really want to achieve, then having a full understanding of how to be disciplined enough to be able to reach this is really important.
Self-discipline is the ability to do what needs to be done, even when you don’t feel like doing it. It’s about making smart choices consistently, sticking to commitments, and pushing through distractions by staying motivated to achieve the best possible results. And here’s the best part: it’s not something you either have or you don’t. Self-discipline is a skill, which means it can be learned, practiced, and strengthened over time.
So let’s dive into why self-discipline is such a game-changer for young people, especially when it comes to study and personal goals, and how to start building it one small step at a time.
Let’s face it, school and life throw a lot at young people. Homework, exams, part-time jobs, social pressure, family expectations, hobbies, health, the list goes on! It’s easy to get overwhelmed or distracted, and in today’s digital world, where endless scrolling is readily available at the click of a button, staying focused can often feel harder than ever.
That’s where self-discipline comes in. It helps students:
Without self-discipline, even the most talented or motivated students can struggle to achieve their potential. But with clear goals and the ability to be disciplined in order to achieve these, you can accomplish things they never thought possible.
A lot of people think success is all about being motivated, but truthfully, motivation comes and goes. And that is okay! We can’t always be motivated 100% of the time, but it’s how we overcome that lack of motivation by using self-discipline that really matters.
You might feel motivated to study after watching an inspiring video, or getting a pep talk from your friends and family, so you can use this as a tool to get yourself back and track with your motivation. In fact, the more you practice self-discipline, the more motivated you tend to feel, and that is because progress builds momentum. The more progress you are making towards your goal, the more motivated you will feel to keep pushing on.
Let’s break it down with some examples of how self-discipline can show up in daily life:
1. Christiano Ronaldo – Christiano as we all know, has achieved incredible success during his lifetime. But in order to get where he is today, he had to make sacrifices, stay motivated and use self-discipline as a tool to push through any challenges he faced along the way.
2. Stephen King – Stephen is now a best-selling author and a household name, but his success didn’t happen overnight. Stephen’s first book was rejected by 30 publishers. Yes that’s right – 30! But his determination and motivation to succeed meant that he was able to stay self-disciplined enough to keep going and not let a setback get in the way of his end goal.
Like any muscle, self-discipline grows with use. Here are some simple strategies for developing it:
1. Start Small – Don’t try to overhaul your entire life overnight. Pick one area to work on, maybe it’s studying more for a subject that you struggle with, reading 10 pages of your book a night, or waking up 15 minutes earlier to go for a run in the morning. Small wins build momentum, so try not to overload yourself.
2. Create Routines – Routines take the guesswork out of decision-making. For example, having a set “study time” each day trains your brain to focus at that time. Over time, it becomes a habit and less of a chore.
3. Use Tools and Reminders – Timers, checklists, planners, and apps can all help keep you on track. Visual cues like a calendar or sticky notes can make goals feel more reachable.
4. Remove Temptations – Make it easier to succeed by changing your environment. That might mean studying in a quiet space or putting your phone and distractions out of reach.
5. Celebrate Progress – Self-discipline doesn’t mean being hard on yourself. Celebrate the wins, however big or small! Every time you follow through, you’re proving to yourself that you can do it, so make sure to give yourself credit for that.
6. Be Kind When You Slip Up – Everyone slips! What matters is bouncing back; reflect on what went wrong, make a small adjustment, and try again. Self-discipline is about consistency, not perfection.
Here’s the thing: self-discipline isn’t just about getting better grades or ticking off tasks. It’s about building a life where you feel in control! A life where you trust yourself to follow through, to meet your goals, and to grow into the person you want to be.
For young people, learning self-discipline now sets the stage for:
And let’s be honest… Being disciplined doesn’t mean being boring or rigid. It means having the freedom to choose the life you want and the tools to actually make it happen.
Self-discipline isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build. And the earlier young people start developing it, the more empowered they’ll feel in every area of life.
If you’re a student, remember this: you have the power to shape your habits, your mindset, and your future. It starts with small steps, daily choices, and a belief in your ability to grow.
And if you’re a parent, remember that: supporting your child in developing self-discipline doesn’t mean nagging or controlling, it means helping them set goals, reflect on their actions, and celebrate their progress.
Self-discipline is the secret behind so many success stories. With a little practice and a lot of encouragement, it can become part of yours, too.
We talk more on self-discipline and how to apply this to daily life in our new podcast episode, which you can listen to here!
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