Self-regulation

Self-regulation: The Ability to Direct Your Own Behaviour

Self-regulation is the capacity to organise and monitor your own behaviour. It is what allows you to change how you act depending on what the situation demands. People who are good at this are described as high on self-monitoring — they can read the room and adjust accordingly.

Many situations in life require you to resist pressure from the environment and exercise control over yourself. This ability to push back against impulses and stay on course is commonly called will power. As human beings, we are not simply driven by instincts; we can choose to control our behaviour the way we want.

A key part of self-regulation is the ability to delay or defer the satisfaction of needs. This is known as self-control. For example, choosing to study now instead of watching a movie, because the long-term goal of doing well in an exam matters more. Self-control is crucial for achieving long-term goals — it is the bridge between intention and accomplishment.

Cultural and Psychological Techniques for Self-Control

The Indian cultural tradition offers effective mechanisms for developing self-control. Practices such as fasting (called vrata in the Hindu tradition or roza in the Islamic tradition) and the principle of non-attachment to worldly things are time-tested ways to strengthen the will.

Psychology has also suggested several techniques for self-control. Three important ones are:

• Observation of own behaviour — Watching what you actually do gives you honest information. This feedback can then be used to change, modify, or strengthen certain aspects of the self.
• Self-instruction — You often tell yourself what to do. These internal instructions — "I will finish this chapter before I take a break" — are surprisingly effective in regulating your own behaviour. …