Several weeks ago I published a pair of articles on self-control and self-discipline. In the second article I offered a very simple summary of the difference between the two traits:
“Self-Control is about controlling reactions and keeping urges in check, while Self-Discipline is about persevering and maintaining positive habits.”
I went on to explain how these two traits are very closely linked, as our self-control is significantly impacted by the quality and amount of sleep, nutrition, and exercise we get, and in turn, those things are all very reliant on our personal habits—which is where self-discipline comes in.
Today I’d like to dig a little deeper into self-discipline, and make a case for its link to integrity.
Let’s take a quick look at the dictionary definition of integrity. Dictionary.com defines integrity as “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.” Likewise, Merriam-Webster.com defines integrity as “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values;incorruptibility.”
Now think about self-discipline. Great self-discipline requires firm adherence to whatever standard you have set for yourself. Look at it this way: if you have told yourself that you will put down your phone and go to bed by 9:30 PM every night, and then you don’t do it, you either lied [to yourself] or broke a promise [to yourself] or both. If you lied to someone else or made a promise to a friend and then broke it, you would—or at least should—recognize that as a breach of integrity. I believe the same could be said of breaking your word to yourself, i.e., lacking self-discipline.
So I believe the inverse of that, having great self-discipline, is akin to being a person of integrity. After all, keeping your promises to yourself is often harder than following through on your commitments to other people, so if you are consistently able to do the first, it follows that you will very likely do the second as well!
I really like how author Frank Sonnenberg put it in an article he published to his blog last year. He explained,
“While self-discipline is most often associated with willpower and perseverance, it also means that you have the courage, strength, wisdom, and moral character to do what’s right—even if it’s difficult.”
Read that again: “…it also means that you have the courage, strength, wisdom, and moral character to do what’s right—even if it’s difficult.” I don’t know about you, but that sounds a lot like integrity to me!
Sonnenberg when on to state that “Self-discipline is a sign of inner strength.” Isn’t that what integrity is? Inner strength? This inner strength is demonstrated by “your willingness to accept personal responsibility, your ability to make hard choices, and your determination to live your life with honor.”
Give that some thought. What do you think? Do you see a link between self-discipline and integrity? Does it make you think any differently about the state of your own self-discipline? I for one consider it to be some very interesting food for thought!
