The 80/20 Principle says that 80% of the results come from 20% of the
efforts. In reality, you often need to know just one thing to achieve
extraordinary results.
Self-discipline is no different. It can also be simplified to one concept –
automating your behaviors. You don’t need any more self-discipline than you
have now if you learn how to establish new habits in your life – default
actions you take when tempted to lose sight of your long-term goals.
Imagine you’re on a diet and someone offers you a chocolate bar. Your
long-term goal is to lose weight and become healthier. But the temptation
staring straight in your face – a delicious bomb of sugar – lures you in almost
as if it meant your death if you didn’t eat it.
You wriggle and squirm, trying to draw from your willpower and say no.
Two minutes later (if not sooner), the chocolate bar is gone. After all, what
the hell – one chocolate bar won’t screw up your diet, right? The next time
someone offers you a chocolate bar, you won’t be able to resist again. Soon,
you’ll drop your diet and go back to your regular eating habits.
All because you haven’t developed an automated reaction to someone
offering you a chocolate bar.
Now imagine your behavior is automated – you followed the 80/20
Principle and introduced a habit in your life. At the sight of a chocolate bar,
you become self-aware of your craving. But instead of giving in, you
recognize the craving for what it is – a detour that will take you away from
your long-term goal. You remind yourself you can eliminate the craving by
eating a piece of fruit.
All of it happens in an instant. It’s as natural to you as brushing your teeth
right after you wake up (you don’t need to exert your self-discipline to do it,
do you?).
Congratulations, your automated behavior has prevented you from
breaking your resolutions