The main difference between willpower and discipline is that willpower is a strong determination that allows you to do something difficult, while discipline is your ability to practice self-restraint, control emotions, and ignore impulses.
Both willpower and discipline are closely related concepts. They help you to achieve various goals in life. Moreover, people with strong willpower and discipline are more likely to achieve success than impulsive people.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Willpower
– Definition, Features
2. What is Discipline
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Willpower and Discipline
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Willpower and Discipline
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Discipline, Willpower
What is Willpower
Willpower is the ability to control yourself. You can describe it as a strong determination that allows you to do something difficult. It helps you to achieve various goals. For example, save money, lose weight, or stop smoking. The APA (American Psychological Association) describes willpower as a person’s “ability to delay gratification and resist short-term temptations to meet long-term goals” or the “capacity to override an unwanted thought, feeling or impulse.” Willpower is also a conscious and effortful regulation of the self. Some psychologists suggest that willpower is a limited resource and can be depleted.
Willpower can impact all areas of life. It’s also a good indicator for predicting success in life. According to some research studies, in comparison to impulsive people, people with willpower are better at regulating emotional, behavioral, and attention impulses to achieve their long-term goals. People with willpower tend to be happier, healthier, and wealthier. They are also good at managing stress, dealing with conflict, and overcoming adversity. They are also more content in their relationships, especially in comparison to those with no willpower.
Furthermore, most believe that willpower is a skill that can be learned and strengthened with time and effort. Regularly creating and accomplishing simple but challenging tasks (like turning the lights off every time you leave a room or waking up at a certain time), getting enough sleep, meditation, and avoiding temptation can help you develop willpower.
What is Discipline
Discipline is similar and closely related to willpower. Discipline refers to your ability to practice self-restraint, control emotions, and ignore impulses. It’s not something others can do for you. Discipline is something you should cultivate in yourself. In contrast to popular belief, discipline is not about rules, punishment, obedience, or compliance. You may receive guidance from many people, but the ultimate source of discipline is not an external source; it’s internal.
When you’re disciplined, you are in control of yourself and your actions. You use reason to determine the best course of action irrespective of your desires or impulses. Discipline creates habits, which in turn makes routines, and eventually become a way of life. In addition, it gives you rules to live your life effectively and efficiently. If you are someone with discipline, you will have the ability to make small sacrifices to achieve a better life in the future. Moreover, just like willpower, discipline can be developed and strengthened with practice and time.
Similarities Between Willpower and Discipline
- People with willpower and discipline are good at controlling their impulses.
- Such people can delay gratification and resist short-term temptations.
- People with willpower and discipline are also more likely to achieve success in life.
- Moreover, willpower and discipline help to achieve long-term goals.
- Both can be developed and strengthened with practice.
Difference Between Willpower and Discipline
Definition
Willpower is the ability to control yourself or a strong determination that allows you to do something difficult, while discipline is your ability to practice self-restraint, control emotions, and ignore impulses.
Effect on Behavior
Discipline involves forming healthy habits, which eventually become a way of life and automatic behavior, while willpower involves conscious and effortful regulation of behavior.
Nature
Willpower can be described as a sudden and momentary burst of focused energy, whereas discipline is well thought out and consistent.
Conclusion
The main difference between willpower and discipline is that willpower is a strong determination that allows you to do something difficult, while discipline is your ability to practice self-restraint, control emotions, and ignore impulses. Discipline involves forming healthy habits, which eventually become a way of life and automatic behavior while willpower involves conscious and effortful regulation of behavior.
Reference:
1. Cherry, Kendra. “What Is Willpower?” Very Well Mind.
2. “What Does Discipline Mean?” Focus 3.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Handwriting Text Willpower Loading. Concept meaning Forecasting the future event” By Jernej Furman (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Plan, Discipline, Goal” By Brett Jordan (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
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