Discipline is one of the most challenging values to learn, especially in a society that encourages you to act on your impulses. Whether it’s by adding to your cart, lashing out when you’re angry, or binge-watching TV shows late at night despite needing to wake up early, controlling our desires and reactions sounds almost impossible. However, there are many ways to cultivate self-discipline, primarily through martial arts
Learning how to rein your actions and emotions is often a daily struggle. Still, discipline is a fundamental trait that can immensely help you in your personal and professional life. Although martial arts teaches you how to defend yourself, the discipline it instills in you will help you refine your mental control and become a master of your whims.
The Importance of Self-Control
Many people believe that living a disciplined life means never allowing yourself to enjoy what life has to offer and that it requires maintaining a rigorous lifestyle. However, self-discipline actually liberates you from being a slave to your impulses; it allows you to think clearly regardless of what you’re feeling, empowering you to make smarter choices. With refined control of your actions and reactions, you’ll live your life with a new sense of purpose and freedom.
Having self-control allows you to continue pushing forward towards your goals while staying motivated the entire time. In fact, most successful people are renowned for their incredible self-possession, allowing themselves to keep their targets in sight while kicking bad habits and procrastination to the curb. It also helps them persevere through difficult times, which is often the turning point of their success.
How Martial Arts Help You Build Self-Discipline
Cultivating this kind of willpower and self-mastery isn’t easy, but martial arts help you hone this through its rigorous training regimen. Apart from learning how to defend yourself, become more physically fit, and enjoy less stress. However, unlike what you see in the movies, martial arts doesn’t teach you to overpower your opponent through sheer strength. Instead, it focuses on controlling your opponent through special techniques, perseverance, and leveraging your physical attributes. You’ll always have to analyze your opponent and your surroundings to identify the best way to win, all of which help you build self-discipline.
The constant training involved in martial arts like MMA or jiu-jitsu allows students to learn essential techniques and skills required to progress through the belts. Regardless of how advanced you are, there are always new drills and strategies to learn, helping you stay sharp. The intense, frequent training also needs students to remain disciplined throughout, helping them grow at a steady pace and enjoy the fruits of their hard work as time passes by. It also teaches patience since growth is gradual.
How Martial Arts Help You Outside the Dojo
The discipline you learn inside the dojo is also remarkably useful outside of it. Once you become an adult, you’re now responsible for everything from finding a good place to live, maintaining it, paying for necessities, and performing well at your job. You no longer have the luxury and safety net of caring authority figures like parents or teachers to fuss over you, which means you’ll need to stay motivated.
Luckily, the intimidating aspects of adult responsibilities are much easier to handle when you’re self-disciplined, as you can stop yourself from acting rashly and potentially worsening a situation. It’s also much more manageable to stick to an exercise routine and a diet, helping you get healthier and more fit. The discipline you hone from martial arts also shapes you into a more reliable friend and employee since you’ll be more dedicated to your friends and work, setting you up for success.
Conclusion
Martial arts come with a world of benefits. Apart from getting stronger and learning how to defend yourself, you’ll also learn how to regulate your emotions, think before you act, and keep the motivation to continue pursuing your goals. With all the self-discipline that martial arts teach you, you’ll have an easier time succeeding in life.
If you’re looking for martial arts near you, let us know at Pride Martial Arts! We are a martial arts academy that aims to coach, motivate, and inspire those who have chosen mixed martial arts or MMA as a way to transform their lives positively. Try a free class with us today!
