The 15 Minute Rule To Improve Self-Discipline
It can be a challenge to fight off cravings for stuff we think we want but know we should not have. In a time of weakness, it seems that we can easily think of hundreds of ways to convince ourselves that it’s OK just this one time and that next time you will be stronger. I personally do it quite often. However, it usually frustrates me after knowing that I caved in. And most of the time, the end result is not even worth it.
I like to enjoy myself by eating food that taste good, having dessert, drinking coffee and doing other things that probably aren’t the most healthiest of decisions. However, I know I have a problem when I become abusive or over indulge in any type of food, drink or activity that can decrease my health or keep me from reaching personal goals that I have set for myself. When I find that I am having a hard time controlling myself, I use a little technique that I call The 15 Minute Rule.
Much like the The 10 Minute Rule and the The 2 Minute Rule, the 15 Minute Rule also involves a time interval. Although it sounds the similar, it is different because it promotes self-discipline and not productivity. The 15 Minute Rule works like this:
If you get a craving for something that you want and know you should not have, wait 15 minutes before you commit yourself to having it. After 15 minutes, if you still want it, then have it.
What usually happens is the craving will go away before 15 minutes is up and you will no longer feel such a desire to have it. Therefore, it will be much easier to say no. And sometimes, you will simply forget about it and move on without even remembering what you were craving so badly in the first place.
I used this technique a lot when I quit smoking. It worked well for me and allowed me to start off small by controlling my cigarette cravings one at a time for short periods of time. Eventually, the 15 minutes grew to hours, days and moths before I no longer had the cravings. Today I use the 15 Minute Rule to help me reach my fitness goals. I have not been doing a very good job with it, but it does help and keeps me from eating those late night snacks that I do out of habit.
One thing to keep in mind is that these are not hard and fast rules that you should execute to perfection every day of your life. They are just simple techniques to help you when you are in a rut or need a boost. It is simply taking a larger task and breaking it down into smaller, more manageable, steps. The more you do them and practice them, the less you will have to think about it or even realize you are using them.
