We’ve heard all of our lives about self discipline; but we may not have heard about the power of self discipline. Each one of the 11 Forgotten Laws are actually Universal Laws of Life and just like the laws governing electricity, the 11 Forgotten Laws are about the generation of power.

The Law of Sacrifice and the Law of Discipline are used interchangeably in the 11 Forgotten Laws. I’d wager that most of us don’t particularly like either term. What we learn in the 11 Forgotten Laws is that the rewards of using the Law of Sacrifice or Discipline release potent forces that enhance our lives and add to the energy of the Law of Attraction.

The power of self-discipline is one of those good news-bad news things. The bad news is that we are already sacrificing every day of our lives. The good news is that-well that’s the good news. The Truth of the Law of Sacrifice is that whatever we receive is at least equal to what we give up, and when coupled with focus, we receive much more.

But as this lesson of the 11 Forgotten Laws tells us, we can’t have a happy home life and respect of our family and friends if we are living lives of cheating or lies or other behaviors not aligned with the goodness of the Universe.

In the process of using the Law of Sacrifice, and the power of self discipline, you’ll be working to bring to yourself the joys and the pleasures that always result from working with this Law.

An analogy I love is given about baseball. You never sacrifice a home run for a first base. What may seem hard for a moment gives us lasting results many times over what it has “cost” us. And, by practicing the Law of Sacrifice we are released from the lower realms of thought and blocks are removed.

Once again, as with the other 11 Forgotten Laws, learning and using the Law unleashes the power of self discipline in our lives. It opens us up to receive prosperity, peace of mind and loving relationships.

Hitting drills are very important for young players and one of the best hitting drills that a coach can utilize teach plate discipline. It is very important that a hitter learns to have an approach at the plate, rather than simply swinging away at every pitch, so this drill is vital to the hitter’s overall makeup.

This drill starts with the screen close enough to the plate that the batting coach pitcher can have excellent control. Each hitter then gets up to ten pitches, although only three strikes will be permitted. Before the hitter steps up to the plate, he or she will be told how many strikes he or she currently has, as this will directly influence how the hitter handles the pitches.

If the hitter is stepping up to the plate with a fresh count, he or she will begin by showing the pitching coach where he or she likes the ball. If the pitch is in the hitter’s hitting zone and he or she takes a swing, the pitch count is reduced by one. If the pitch is outside of this hitting zone, but the player still swings, the hitter not only loses that pitch, but one additional pitch. If the pitch is outside of this hitting zone and the player does not swing, the pitch does not count at all. If the pitch is outside of the strike zone altogether and the player swings, however, he or she will lose half of his or her swings remaining.

If there is one strike, the penalty for swinging at a pitch outside the strike zone is less strict, as the player will only lose that pitch plus one more. This is because when there is one strike, pitchers will tend to come after the hitter a little more, which makes these pitches a little harder to lay off.

Finally, when there are two strikes, the hitter’s goal is to be as tough an out as possible. If the player swings at a pitch that is in the strike zone, he or she only loses that pitch plus one more. If a pitch that is around the strike zone is taken, it is an additional pitch penalty because umpires tend to call borderline pitches strikes when there are already two strikes. If an obvious strike is taken, that player is done completely because it is never a good idea to take a third strike.

The goal of each hitter turning this drill is to make sure that he or she gets through all ten pitches without striking out. Also make sure that your players know that each strike that you call will be a judgment call, which is exactly how an umpire will make the call. By teaching your players to have an approach at the plate based on the strike count, you can turn them into smarter hitters. You will also be giving them a better idea of where the strike zone is, so they will know which pitches to take and when to take a cut.

Discipline doesn't have to be stressful. Discipline is meant to teach children to take responsibility, to make choices and to be accountable for those choices. As a matter of fact, the word discipline comes from the Latin root discere, which means to learn and from the Latin word disciples, which means pupil. So to be a disciplinarian, you need to be a teacher. I believe that there's never a need for physical punishment as that only teaches negative lessons such as it's okay to hit people smaller than you and that violence solves problems. The word punishment comes from the Latin word punier, which means to cause pain. Hitting a child may immediately stop their behavior, but it doesn't teach them anything worthwhile.

Through a strategy of positive discipline techniques, children will learn self-control, self-respect and to be responsible for the choices they make. In the parenting classes I teach, we talk about discipline as being preventive and future-oriented in addition to being a response to unacceptable behavior. As the disciplinarian you need to focus on what you want your child to do when they find themselves in a similar situation in the future. The first step toward achieving that is by creating appropriate consequences and making sure your child knows what those consequences are. For example, you want your child to put their toys away when they are done playing with them. Here's an easy strategy to make that happen by employing a few simple techniques:

Model the behavior you want. Have a designated place where the toys should go. You pick up the toy and place it in that specific place. Repeat this a few times over the next couple of days so your child can see the behavior you want from them. Then move on to guiding and supervising your child into putting the toy away just as you did. Each time you do this exercise explain they have to put the toy away if they want to play with it again. The younger the child, the more patient you need to be. After a few days, it should be enough to ask the child to put the toy away. If the child does not put the toy away as asked, then don't allow them to play with it the next time they ask. Explain to them that they did not put the toy away when they were asked so they can't play with it right now. Be sure to make the time they can't play with the toy appropriate. I suggest between one and two hours for very young children, two to four hours for elementary school aged children and one day or evening for older kids. Children need to learn that they can have another chance to get it right after having made a bad choice or mistake. When you allow them to have the toy again, remind them that they have to put it away in order to be able to play with it the next time.

Use positive reinforcement when they put the toy away. This requires consistency on your part, especially for younger children. This can be anything from positive praise to rewards. I don't recommend rewards be used often as we don't want children to do things only because there is a treat when they do. That doesn't teach them responsibility. One good technique is to use what is important to your child as currency. For example, a co-worker I once had told me her three year old son loved McDonald's Happy Meals. She saved a French fry box from the meal and used clothespins to represent the French fries. Each time her son put his toys away, she put a "French fry" in the box. Consequently, if he did not put the toys away she took a "French fry" out of the box in addition to not allowing him access to the toy the next time he wanted it. He had to earn one French fry for each day in order to be able to have a Happy Meal on the weekend. She taught him to count the number of fries he needed to get that Happy Meal and he came to understand when he did not have enough fries. She provided the opportunity for him to earn back the fry by time the weekend came around by completing some other chore. She said that more often than not, he had enough fries to get his Happy Meal. You can also use behavior charts with stickers to keep track. It is helpful and makes a bigger impact if children have a visual way to track their behavior so they can start thinking about how to earn those points back to get what they want. This helps children develop logical thinking as well as learning to make good choices.

For older children you can also include what we call the This for That Rule. This rule reinforces the lesson that there is an expected order of behaviors and a logical way to earn privileges. For example, children have to finish their chores before they can play outside, or they have to finish their homework before they can watch television. In our example of putting the toys away, they can have what they want only after they put the toy away.

Using these methods takes the stress out of discipline. It puts the responsibility on the children and teaches them valuable lessons at the same time. Remember, discipline is more than just reacting to children's negative behaviors. If you'd like more information on how to handle children's behaviors, or what to do if they don't comply, check here.

Emotion in the Trading Environment

All new traders are emotional when it comes to trading – it’s a new experience and can bring up all different emotions.

If you find yourself either depressed or jumping around the room after a trade then you have an issue with your discipline.

Your aim with trading is to make it as emotionally neutral as possible, so that it becomes routine – taking this approach will allow you to smooth out the emotional peaks & troughs.

Everyone comes to the markets with great expectations on what they are going to do in the market, but few are willing to do the work. The truth is Trading as a Profitable, MONEY MAKING venture is not a Great Adventure – it’s work, but that work is what allows you to have great adventures away from your trading desk.

The Rewards of Discipline

For those who are willing to do what it takes and be disciplined in their approach, the rewards are endless.

Most people view discipline as “sticking to the rules” or “following a plan to the letter”; but what makes a successful trader is someone who is willing to go into their own psyche and do what it takes to sort themselves out.

What sorts the “men from the boys” (or women from the girls) is the personal discipline to take actions that aren’t necessarily comfortable because that’s just what needs to be done to achieve your intended outcomes.

Mediocrity – The Opposite of Success

The path MOST taken is one of settling for average results and eventually an average or uninspired life…

My good friend and business partner Ron Bentley calls this being “comfortably uncomfortable” – it’s the limiting belief that it is some sort of sign of strength to show how much discomfort you can endure, instead of living a life of inspiration and action that can be the most fulfilling and powerful life one can lead.

Navigating the Path to Success

The path to success is a road that has a lot of distractions, early exits and quite often a few large speed bumps and hills.

The disciplined entrepreneur is the person who looks at their own thoughts as these obstacles approach and sees where they could be taken off the path, but they choose to stay on track because they know what awaits them at the end of the road – the life they dreamed for themselves and their families.

Now, constantly monitoring your emotions and tendencies to take the easy path takes discipline because sometimes (actually quite often) you will have to face something that you have been avoiding for a lifetime.

The fears that have been so much a part of you that they appear to be “normal” ways of being.

Success really does go to the people who challenge their mental discipline and go the distance.

Going the Distance

The journey to Success isn’t (in most cases) a sprint, but an endurance event, but at the finish line there is more than just a nice ribbon or a shiny trinket.

The rewards of success in Forex trading are the time, money and choice to do what you want for the rest of your life.

On your marks, get set… GO!

Lance Freeman

In the digital age, many college students and even adults find themselves taking college courses online via distance learning. With the click of a mouse, students can watch classes that students on-campus attend, and get the same lesson from the comfort of their own home, or on the go. Modern technology gives distance learning many benefits. However, there are still some disadvantages that present themselves as well.

Advantages

Convenience

With a PC, you can easily watch online courses from the comfort of your own home. However, if you have a laptop, tablet, or even a smartphone, you may also learn while at the coffee shop or even the gym. Those watching on the go or on campus may watch the lecture live, or at a later time, oftentimes checking in and making their presence known.

Communication

During a live session, many online interfaces include a chat window that allows communication with fellow distance learners and the professor. This creates an interactive discussion and conversation, even from another city, state, or country. Many times, online students share their own personal experiences as if they were in the classroom live. After the class ends, you may still send messages to the professor, which usually counts for attendance and participation.

Flexibility

While many watch the courses live, others may have to work or fulfill parental duties. Distance learning allows those students to watch on their own time, set to their own schedule. This way, they are never “late” or marked as absent, as long as they view the class and still offer input. Many professors note attendance and participation based on whether a student responds, whether the class is live or not. However, too much convenience could also lead to one disadvantage.

Disadvantages

Easy to Fall Behind

Not having the same consistent schedule as a student taking a course on campus, you must discipline yourself to not only watch the class within a given timeframe, but also complete assignments in a timely manner. Without the proper discipline, one can easily fall behind quickly, and risk failing the course.

Delays

This is not nearly as much of a disadvantage, but there is often a several second delay with online courses. Therefore, a student may offer input or answer a question after the professor has addressed the point. Usually, the teacher still takes that factor into consideration.

Weather can also cause a delay or outage of its own. Due to distance learning’s reliance on satellite technology, any inclement weather can throw the course off track. However, the benefit of being able to watch at a later time minimizes this disadvantage.

I used to smoke cigarettes. A lot. If I was out of cigarettes and the stores were closed, no problem, I’d pick butts out of the ashtray or garbage and smoke them. I’d smoke right when I woke up and right before going to bed. Sometimes I smoked while I ate. I knew it was a foul habit, one that could kill me, make my face look like an old shoe and cause me to stink like a bar rag, but I was so into it that, as with all abusive relationships, I chose to pretend nothing was wrong even though in the back of my head there was a little voice screaming, “Stop! Please stop! We’re dying over here!”

Then one day I was about to drive from my beloved New Mexico to Los Angeles and my love affair came to a screeching halt. The night before I’d spent a particularly disgusting evening sitting around chain smoking with three other smoke-loving friends. It was kind of like how after a particularly disgusting evening of drinking you decide that you’ll never drink again. Only unlike those losers, I was serious. Oh yes I was.

I got my car all packed up, put the top down and began my cross-desert road trip a smoke-free woman. Smoke-free as soon as I finished the 6 cigarettes I still had left in my pack, that is. “I’ll smoke one now, and another when I get to Gallup, then in Flagstaff I’ll stop for lunch and have one there…” I suddenly realized that there I was, under a gorgeous desert sky, listening to my favorite music, top down, surrounded by warm, sweet desert air, flying, free, happily speeding, and all I could think about was when I was next going to voluntarily asphyxiate myself. I realized I couldn’t enjoy one of my favorite things to do on this here planet because I was distracted by something that I knew I wanted to stop doing. I also realized that I was a big fat liar, that I was already pushing my quit date back since I would be arriving in town at a good friend’s party and would definitely want to smoke so maybe I shouldn’t quit until the next week when…

I pulled the car over and threw out all six cigarettes and haven’t had a drag since. That was over ten years ago and it was a hugely significant moment because I realized something huge that applies to everything in life – if there’s something you really want to do, the only way to get there is to stop negotiating. Just do it NOW, not after you lose five pounds or have more money or more time or whatever you “need” to do before getting on it. Negotiating and waffling are the mortal enemies of self-discipline. I decided at that moment that I was not a smoker. It became a non-negotiable fact. I did not smoke so I wasn’t going to spend any time thinking “perhaps maybe just one cigarette” anymore than I was going to spend any time thinking that maybe I would snort horse tranquilizers. I’m not a horse tranquilizer snorter, nor a smoker. Next topic please.

This mentality works with everything – if you want to lose weight, decide that you’re a person who doesn’t eat sugar. Ever. Or who only has one cookie at a party instead of ten. Or who gets up at 6:30 and exercises. Or if you’re a writer, decide that you’re a person who writes every day at noon for a half an hour. Or who writes two pages a day. If you begin negotiations, you open the space for failure. If you make it a fact, you just do it, no questions asked, and move on to something else. It’s a doozie, it really works, I promise.

Here are my top 5 tips for cracking the whip and disciplining yourself:

Stop Negotiating.

More on this all-important topic can be found in Twyla Tharp’s awesome book, The Creative Habit. She is a machine of self-discipline and this book is one of the best spankings I’ve ever gotten.

Set Realistic Goals.

Don’t decide that you are a person who runs 20 miles a day when you still consider walking to the pizza parlor around the corner a day’s worth of exercise. Start with running one mile a day and add more as you get stronger. Discipline is a muscle, you have to build it at your own pace. If you bite off more than you can chew at the start, chances are excellent you’ll get discouraged and give up altogether. Set attainable goals and slowly build from there.

Remember Your Why.

When that sexy piece of chocolate cake is giving you the eye, remember how much better it will feel to be five pounds lighter than it will during that two minute, chocolatey roll in the hay. If you’re writing and are tempted to get up and do the dishes, make a phone call, do ANTYHING but write, remember how awesome it’s going to feel having a real live book with your name on it that is going to help the world. Make your “why” your mantra, keep bringing it back to the front of your mind when temptation flashes her sexy smile at you and you will be a mighty, unstoppable force. It will keep your excitement level up too which will keep you motivated and help you get the job done.

Note Your Accomplishments.

Keep track of how well you’re doing and give yourself a hearty bravo on a regular basis. Self-discipline is all in your mind, so making your mind a happy, focused place is key. The more you notice how well you’re doing, the more you’ll be inspired to keep the ball rolling.

Make a Bet With Someone Mean.

If you’re someone who really thrives on accountability, this can be a great way to keep yourself in line. Make a bet with someone who will hold you to it, someone who won’t coddle you or “understand that you tried your best,” who will not take excuses and who will show up at your doorstep if you stop answering their calls. And make sure you bet something that’s painful enough to lose but not too unrealistic. For example, you could bet someone $100 that you’ll have the first chapter of your book written by a certain date. Make it a payable amount that you really don’t want to pay.

As a trader at any skill level, you know how important it is to do your homework and understand the status, fundamentals, and inner workings of a company that you are investing in. It’s also important to recognize the direction of the market’s trends. Still, it’s even more important to maintain a high level of discipline over your emotions.

Trading Psychology

As a trader you know that you are often required make quick decisions because you are rapidly moving in and out of stocks. This is where the psychology and discipline of trading is important because you need to be in a certain state of mind to remain on top of your investment endeavors. A big part of this discipline is to control your emotions and fully adhere to your trading plan and understand when to book profits and losses.

Understanding your fears

When you are involved in trading and stocks are down, it’s understandable that you will be a little scared. Unfortunately, this fear might cause you to overreact and liquidate your holdings, go to cash, and refrain from taking any more risks of losing money. This action might prevent you from some losses, but you also risk missing out on potential gains.

One way to help deal with fear is to understand what the fear is. By definition, fear is a natural reaction to what is perceived as a threat. In trading, that fear could be a reaction to a posed threat to your profit or potential to make money. You will better deal with fear if you consider what exactly you are afraid of and why you are afraid of it.

If you ponder the issues of your fear at a time when you are not emotionally charged, you are better able to determine how you might react in a given situation. For example, if you think things out ahead of time, you might be able to identify your feelings of fear during a trading session. By acknowledging your fears you can focus your efforts on moving past the emotions that might distract you from completing a successful trade. This exercise takes practice, but it is necessary to preserve the health of your portfolio.

Greed is your worst enemy

A common statement cited on Wall Street is pigs get slaughtered. When investors are winning, many of them hang on to their winning positions much longer than they should in the hopes of getting every possible tick. This is risky and can result in a devastating blow to your position.

Despite being aware of the greed factor in trading, it is a difficult emotion to overcome. Many traders have an inherent desire to keep doing better so they push the boundaries of their trades. It is important that you recognize this emotional trait and develop your trade plan on rational business decisions, not emotions.

The importance of following trading rules

To avoid the risk of emotions undermining your trading efforts, it’s a good idea to establish guidelines based on your risk-to-reward relationship before you enter a trade. These trading rules can function as a safety net that can prevent you from a catastrophic loss. For example, if a particular stock is trading at $15 per share, you might consider getting out at $15.25 or even at just below $15 to put in a stop loss limit and get out.

Your rules might not apply to only price targets. You might consider certain macroeconomic reports or specific positive or negative earnings as a guideline that will affect your trading decisions. For example, a signal to get out of a trade might be if a large buyer or seller enters the market.

Another guideline might be a limit on the amount you win or lose in a day. For example, if you win a certain profit amount, according to your rule on wins you would be done for the day. In contrast, if you lose a certain amount, it might be a signal for you to get out and go home for the day. Sometimes it’s best to just take what you can get and go even if the market has the potential for higher gains.

Creating your trading plan

A good rule to follow in trading is to learn as much about your area of interest that you can. If you’re primary interest is in a certain area of technology, you should learn as much as you can about that industry.

You should include a plan to educate yourself as part of your overall trading plan. There are plenty of trade publications and other resources where you can learn about your area of interest. Find out about industry seminars, conferences, and forums where you can interact with industry experts. It’s important to learn about the functionality of your chosen industry, but you also need to devote time to understanding your industry’s financial health. Arming yourself with knowledge of your particular industry can help alleviate some of your fears with trading.

While it’s a good idea to develop a level of expertise in your chosen industry, it’s also important to experiment with new processes. For example, what other options are there for mitigating risk? How will moving your stop losses affect your trading strategy? Experimentation is a good way to learn about trading and help you contain your emotions during a trade.

Your trading plan should include intervals where you review and evaluate your performance. Some of the components you should review include:

· How up-to-date you are on the markets?

· How prepared are you for a trading session?

· How you are progressing with your education efforts?

Periodically assessing your performance helps you correct past mistakes and prevent similar mistakes in the future. It also helps keep your mind clear, in the proper zone, and psychologically prepared to trade.

Bottom line

As a trader, you must be able to properly read a chart and have access to the right technology to successfully execute your trades. This is the mechanics of trading. You also need to consider the psychological component of trading. This entails creating a solid trading plan, setting trading rules, and researching your areas of interest. All of these components can help you overcome many of your fears in trading.

A man does not live until he begins to discipline himself;

he merely exists. Like an animal he gratifies his desires

and pursues his inclinations just where they may lead him.

He is happy as a beast is happy, because he is not conscious

of what he is depriving himself; he suffers as the beast

suffers, because he does not know the way out of suffering.

He does not intelligently reflect upon life, and lives in a

series of sensations, longings, and confused memories which

are unrelated to any central idea or principle. A man whose

inner life is so ungoverned and chaotic must necessarily

manifest this confusion in the visible conditions of his

outer life in the world; and though for a time, running with

the stream of his desires, he may draw to himself a more or

less large share of the outer necessities and comforts of

life, he never achieves any real success nor accomplishes

any real good, and sooner or later wordly failure and

disaster are inevitable, as the direct result of the inward

failure to properly adjust and regulate those mental forces

which make the outer life.

Before a man accomplish anything of an enduring nature in

the world he must first of all acquire some measure of

success in the management of his own mind. This is as

mathematical a truism as that two and two are four, for,

“out of the heart are the issues of life.” If a man cannot

govern the forces within himself, he cannot hold a firm

hand upon the outer activities which form his visible life.

On the other hand, as a man succeeds, in governing himself

he rises to higher and higher levels of power and usefulness

and success in the world. The only difference between the

life of the beast and that of the undisciplined man is that

the man has a wider variety of desires, and experiences a

greater intensity of suffering. It may be said of such a man

that he is dead, being truly dead to self-control, chastity,

fortitude, and all the nobler qualities which constitute

life. In the consciousness of such a man the crucified Christ

ies entombed, awaiting that resurrection which shall revivify

the mortal sufferer, and wake him up to a knowledge of tha

realities of his existence.

With the practice of self-discipline a man begins to live,

for he then commences to rise above the inward confusion

and to adjust his conduct to a steadfast centre within

himself. He ceases to follow where inclination leads him,

reins in the steed of his desires, and lives in accordance

with the dictates of reason and wisdom. Hitherto his life

has been without purpose or meaning, but now he begins to

consciously mould his own destiny; he is “clothed and in

his right mind.”

In the process of self-discipline there are three stages

namely;

1. Control

2. Purification

3. Relinquishment

A man begins to discipline himself by controlling those

passions which have hitherto controlled him; he resists

temptation and guards himself against all those tendencies

to selfish gratifications which are so easy and natural,

and which have formerly dominated him. He brings his

appetite into subjection, and begins to eat as a reasonable

and responsible being, practising moderation and

thoughtfulness in the selection of his food, with the

object of making his body a pure instrument through which

he may live and act as becomes a man, and no longer

degrading that body by pandering to gustatory pleasure. He

puts a check upon his tongue, his temper, and, in fact, his

every animal desire and tendency, and this he does by

referring all his acts to a fixed centre within himself.

It is a process of living from within outward, instead of,

as formerly, from without inward. He conceives of an ideal,

and, enshrining that ideal in the sacred recesses of his

heart, he regulates his conduct in accordance with its

exaction and demands.

There is a philosophical hypothesis that at the heart of

every atom and every aggregation of atoms in the universe

there is a motionless center which is the sustaining source

of all the universal activities. Be this as it may, there

is certainly in the heart of every man and woman a selfless

centre without which the outer man could not be, and the

ignoring of which leads to suffering and confusion. This

selfless center which takes the form, in the mind, of an

ideal of unselfishness and spotless purity, the attainment

of which is desirable, is man’s eternal refuge from the

storms of passion and all the conflicting elements of his

lower nature. It is the Rock of Ages, the Christ within,

the divine and immortal in all men.

End of part 1. Part 2 coming soon…

**Attn Ezine Editors / Site Owners**

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety

in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave

all links in place.

Self-discipline is a vital quality to have if you want to be successful in the things you attempt during life. What we often don’t realize, however, is that we learn the skills for self-discipline during childhood. Here are some ways that you can cultivate personal discipline from your childhood experiences.

Take the carrot and stick approach

As a child, you were no doubt rewarded for good behavior and punished for bad behavior. That’s not to say you should try to ground yourself – but do mentally set yourself some consequences for certain actions. It seems like a strange suggestion, but many of us have used a swear jar at some point, so it’s not at all as strange as it seems.

This is a great tool to use if you’re looking for some motivation to complete a certain task – just tell yourself that if you get something done by a certain time, then you can have a treat. Your treat can be just a break, a bar of chocolate, or a night out. It’s all about whatever will work to motivate you.

If you have a large project or task that needs completing, you may have something that you plan to buy yourself if you get it done. Or, if you have a weight loss goal, then maybe there’s a dress you want to fit into (whether you plan to buy it, or already own it). It could really help you to stick pictures of this object you want around your house. Seeing this motivates you – this is why teachers and parents use reward charts and stickers with young children.

Try and keep unhealthy behaviors and bad habits to a minimum

Just how as a child you were probably only allowed candy as a treat, and under parental supervision, you should limit your caffeine, alcohol and food intake to a sensible and healthy level.

Have a set routine

Children have bed-times for a reason – to get the best out of yourself you need plenty of sleep, and to avoid the stress of rushing around in the morning. You also need to have time to eat a healthy, balanced breakfast. Try and stick to set bed-times and mealtimes and you will be functioning at your very best in no time at all.

Pause, breathe, and let go of your anger

Remember when you fell out with another child at school, and you were forced to shake hands and make friends with them again, even though you didn’t want to? Although it may have felt pointless at the time because you may have felt that you were simply putting on an act to get a teacher off your case, going through this process probably allowed your anger to dissipate.

There’s no need to go and bear hug someone you’re angry with, but it may be better just to decide to let it go, or if there’s an issue that needs addressing then give yourself some time to calm down before you try to talk to them. Otherwise, you may just end up shouting, and that’s no good for anyone. Once the issue has been dealt with, it’s time to forgive and forget.

Try, try, and try again

When you’re growing up, there are plenty of things that you can’t do first time. Think about a toddler first learning to walk, and then a child learning to read, and ride a bike. These things take time, practice and perseverance. If you give up as soon as you can’t do something or find it too difficult, then you won’t get very far.

Read and learn

Think of a child’s natural inquisitive nature, and how much they learn from their own curiosity. Recreate this in adulthood – soak up as much knowledge as you can. Not only will it make you feel good about yourself and therefore help you perform better in your daily life, it will help you to reach the top of your game.

If you need to study something but it seems rather boring, then just try to see it as the opportunity of learning something new, that could prove to be useful at some point in the future.

Be punctual and conscientious

These are skills that you will learn during your school years, and hopefully had perfected by your mid-teens. Think about having to turn up to classes on time, meet deadlines and get every assignment up to the best standard that you can make it – then apply these principles to every aspect of your adult life.

Young people today come to school with a different orientation than past generations. Traditional student disciplining approaches are no longer successful for far too many young people. For example, a parent related the following to me after a discussion of how society and youth have changed in recent generations:

The other day, my teenage daughter was eating in a rather slovenly manner, and I lightly tapped her on the wrist saying, “Don’t eat that way.”

My daughter replied, “Don’t abuse me.”

The mother had grown up in the 1960s and volunteered the point that her generation tested authority but most were really afraid to step out of bounds. She related that her daughter was a good child and added, “But the kids today not only disrespect authority, they have no fear of it.”

And, because of rights for young children – which we should have – it’s hard to instill that fear without others claiming abuse.

So, how can we discipline students, so we as teachers can do our jobs and teach these young children who refuse to learn?

In many cases we resort to punishment as a strategy for motivation. For example, students who are assigned detention and who fail to show are punished with more detention. But in my questioning about the use of detention in hundreds of workshops around the country, teachers rarely suggest detention is actually effective in changing behavior.

Why detention is an ineffective form of punishment

When students are not afraid, punishment loses its effectiveness. Go ahead give the student more detention that he simply won’t show up to.

This negative, coercive discipline and punishment approach is based on the belief that it is necessary to cause suffering to teach. It’s like you need to hurt in order to instruct. The fact of the matter, however, is that people learn better when they feel better, not when they feel worse.

Remember, if punishment were effective in reducing inappropriate behavior, then there would be NO discipline problems in schools.

The irony of punishment is that the more you use it to control your students’ behaviors, the less real influence you have over them. This is because coercion breeds resentment. In addition, if students behave because they are forced to behave, the teacher has not really succeeded. Students should behave because they want to – not because they have to in order to avoid punishment.

People are not changed by other people. People can be coerced into temporary compliance. But internal motivation – where people want to change – is more lasting and effective. Coercion, as in punishment, is not a lasting change agent. Once the punishment is over, the student feels free and clear. The way to influence people toward internal rather than external motivation is through positive, non-coercive interaction.

Here’s how…

7 Things GREAT Teachers Know, Understand, and Do to Motivate Students to Learn Without Using Punishments or Rewards.

1. Great teachers understand that they are in the relationship business. Many students-especially those in low socio-economic areas-put forth little effort if they have negative feelings about their teachers. Superior teachers establish good relationships AND have high expectations.

2. Great teachers communicate and discipline in positive ways. They let their students know what they want them to do, rather than by telling students what NOT to do.

3. Great teachers inspire rather than coerce. They aim at promoting responsibility rather than obedience. They know that OBEDIENCE DOES NOT CREATE DESIRE.

4. Great teachers identify the reason that a lesson is being taught and then share it with their students. These teachers inspire their students through curiosity, challenge, and relevancy.

5. Great teachers improve skills that prompt students to WANT to behave responsibly and WANT to put effort into their learning.

6. Great teachers have an open mindset. They REFLECT so that if a lesson needs improvement they look to themselves to change BEFORE they expect their students to change.

7. Great teachers know education is about motivation.

Unfortunately, today’s educational establishment still has a 20th century mindset that focuses on EXTERNAL APPROACHES to increase motivation. An example of the fallacy of this approach is the defunct self-esteem movement that used external approaches such as stickers and praise in attempts to make people happy and feel good. What was overlooked was the simple universal truth that people develop positive self-talk and self-esteem through the successes of THEIR OWN EFFORTS.