Winning Over the Mind: The Path to Self-Discipline

Proabably after the fear of death, public speaking is one of the most feared aspects of human life. Sometime at the beginning of 2024, I joined Toastmasters—a forum dedicated to improving public speaking skills. My best friend, Ed, and I had been thinking about this for a long time, but we kept procrastinating—so much so that, sadly, Ed passed away before we could take action. When Toastmasters came to my doorstep, I knew I had to join—not just to enhance my skills but also as a tribute to my friend.

One of the key lessons in Toastmasters is to develop the habit of writing at least one page daily and gradually increasing it. This exercise helps improve the content of public speaking. About 10 to 15 days ago, I started this exercise. As usual, after a good beginning, there was a break. This week, after a gap of about a week or so, I restarted my writing. This inconsistency is something I want to break in various aspects of my life.

Not all initiatives may seem immediately beneficial, but that doesn’t mean they lack value. I am trying to focus only on initiatives that impact the key areas of my life—whether professional growth, health, or personal relationships. Even activities like singing karaoke or watching a good movie, which may not have direct benefits, contribute to mental relaxation and well-being. Similarly, prioritizing reading and gaining knowledge over spending time with friends may not always be the right approach. The key is time management—ensuring that all essential aspects of life receive the attention they deserve.

But how do we measure what is essential? The simple answer is: what we truly enjoy doing is essential. These essentials give us an edge in our professional lives, help maintain good health, instill financial discipline, and contribute to mental happiness and wellness.

In life, there are many things for which you have to be "unreasonable"—not in the literal sense, but in the way that you pursue what you love without overanalyzing or justifying it. Often, when we don’t achieve what we desire, it’s not external factors stopping us but our own minds. The mind controls us more than we realize.

Let me illustrate this with a personal example. Whenever I decide to start something, I begin with great enthusiasm. At that moment, I am in full control of my mind, and the results are positive. However, starting well is only half the battle; finishing well is what truly matters. Drawing a cricket analogy—when the pitch is not batting-friendly, a batsman waits for the right opportunity to score, playing cautiously until he gets a loose ball. Similarly, in the battle between the self and the mind, patience and discipline matter. Ironically, those who master their minds are the ones with greater control over their actions.

We all know that daily exercise is key to maintaining immunity and leading a healthy life. Yet, we make excuses—whether it's travel, poor sleep, or just the idea that skipping a few days won’t make a difference. While occasional breaks are necessary to recharge, the danger lies in making these breaks a routine—this is when the mind takes over.

I have now recognized my weaknesses and the prescription to overcome them. It’s not that I was unaware of them before, but my mind often won the battle. However, one thing I find encouraging is that I keep trying, again and again. If I can be consistent in trying, why can't I be consistent in the things that truly matter to me?

We rarely get an ideal situation to pursue what we love—we have to create it. Though I had been procrastinating about writing regularly, I decided not to wait for next month to reboot. This time, I won over my mind. And I hope to have many more wins in the future.