For most of my life, I was anything but disciplined.
You know the drill:
– A chaotic routine
– Procrastination
– Lack of focus
– Neglecting self-care
And struggling to get a grip on my day-to-day tasks.
My turning point came around five years ago. At that time, I was Lachlan Brown, a psychology enthusiast and the founder of Hack Spirit, but my evenings were a mess.
I constantly felt overwhelmed, I was staying up late, and my productivity was taking a hit. My life was far from the organized, disciplined routine I aspired to have.
Then, I stumbled upon seven evening behaviors highly disciplined people follow. These behaviors, backed by psychology, transformed my chaotic evenings into productive, stress-free ones.
In this article, I will share these behaviors. I hope that they can help you as much as they helped me.
So let’s dive right in.
1) Planning the next day
It might sound too simple, but for me, someone who was always flustered about tomorrow’s tasks, it was a game-changer.
Planning the next day in the evening made me proactive rather than reactive. I started to control my days instead of them controlling me. I began to see my tasks as manageable chunks rather than an overwhelming pile.
This practice helped me realize that I had more control over my time than I thought. It reduced my stress levels and made me more efficient.
I started with something small: jotting down three main tasks to focus on for the next day, every evening before bed.
When your mind starts racing with tomorrow’s to-dos, take a moment to write them down. This simple behavior was the first step in my journey towards becoming a more disciplined person.
2) Unplugging from technology
I used to be someone who’d endlessly scroll through social media feeds or binge-watch TV series late into the night. It was eating into my sleep time and affecting my productivity the next day.
That’s when I decided to unplug every evening. No more mindless scrolling or late-night Netflix marathons. Instead, I committed to disconnecting from all devices at least an hour before bed.
The transformation was remarkable. Not only did I start getting better sleep, but I also found more time for introspection and personal growth.
Internationally acclaimed psychologist Dr. Sherry Turkle once said, “These days, insecure in our relationships and anxious about intimacy, we look to technology for ways to be in relationships and protect ourselves from them at the same time.”
This quote resonated deeply with me. I realized that my excessive screen time was not just a bad habit, but a crutch I was using to avoid dealing with my anxieties and insecurities.
Unplugging from technology each evening helped me face these issues head-on. It gave me the space I needed to work on myself and build healthier habits for a more disciplined life.
3) Prioritizing physical health
I used to be a bit of a couch potato in the evenings, often opting for takeout and TV over any form of exercise. However, I quickly found that this lifestyle was impacting my overall wellbeing and productivity negatively.
So, I decided to make a change. I started incorporating light exercise into my evening routine. It didn’t have to be anything intense – a walk around the block, a quick yoga session, or even some simple stretching exercises were enough.
The impact was immediate and profound. Not only did I start feeling healthier and more energetic, but I also found that this evening exercise routine helped clear my mind and prepare it for the next day.
Prioritizing physical health in the evenings doesn’t just mean exercise, though. It also means eating right and getting plenty of sleep. Soon, I started cutting down on my takeout habit and began cooking healthier meals at home. I also made it a point to go to bed at a reasonable hour every night.
By taking care of my body in the evenings, I started taking care of my mind as well. This simple shift in behavior significantly improved my discipline and productivity.
4) Practicing gratitude
When I first started this practice, it felt a bit forced and awkward. However, I stuck with it, and soon I found that taking a few moments each evening to reflect on the things I was grateful for had a powerful effect on my mindset.
According to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, practicing gratitude can lead to increased happiness and reduced depression. The researchers found that people who wrote about things they were grateful for just once a week for eight weeks were more optimistic and felt better about their lives overall.
Inspired by this, I started my own gratitude journal. Every evening, I would write down three things from the day that I was grateful for. It could be as simple as a positive interaction with a colleague or something bigger like achieving a personal goal.
This nightly routine of acknowledging the good in my life helped me cultivate a more positive mindset. It made me more disciplined in maintaining a positive attitude, even when faced with challenges or setbacks.
5) Reading for personal growth
Earlier, my reading was sporadic at best, often limited to online articles or the occasional book. However, I realized I was missing out on a wealth of knowledge that could help me become a better version of myself.
I started dedicating a portion of my evening to reading books that would contribute to my personal growth and development. These ranged from self-help and psychology books to memoirs and biographies of successful individuals.
This behavior did more than just improve my discipline. It broadened my perspective, provided new insights, and sparked ideas that I could apply in my own life.
Each evening, as I turned the pages, I felt myself growing, learning, and evolving. It was a far cry from the idle hours I used to spend in front of the TV or scrolling through social media.
Reading became an integral part of my evening routine, a habit that nurtured not just my discipline but also my mind and soul.
6) Reflecting on the day
I used to rush through my days, barely taking a moment to pause and reflect on what had transpired. But over time, I realized that this non-stop approach was detrimental to my personal growth and discipline.
So, I started setting aside time each evening for personal reflection. I would think about what went well during the day, what didn’t, and what I could do better tomorrow.
Famous psychologist Carl Rogers once said, “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.” This quote resonated with me deeply. I realized that without reflection, there could be no learning or growth.
Taking time to reflect each evening helped me understand my actions and reactions better. It made me more aware of my strengths and weaknesses, allowing me to continually work on improving myself.
This daily reflection became a crucial tool in building my discipline and steering my personal growth.
7) Doing nothing
In our fast-paced world, we’re often told that we need to be constantly productive, always hustling, always achieving. But I found that this constant push was actually harming my discipline.
So, I started setting aside time each evening to do absolutely nothing. No tasks, no chores, no checking emails. Just time for myself to simply be.
This wasn’t laziness; it was allowing myself the space to relax and recharge. It was giving my mind and body the rest they needed to function optimally.
And here’s a practical tip: Start with just 5 minutes of doing nothing each day. Maybe it’s sitting quietly with your thoughts, staring out the window, or just lying down and letting your mind wander. Trust me; you’ll be surprised at how refreshing it feels.
Despite what society might tell us, doing nothing is not a waste of time. It’s a crucial part of maintaining our mental health and enhancing our discipline.
Conclusion
Developing discipline isn’t about monumental changes or overnight success. It’s about small, consistent behaviors that add up over time.
It’s the little things we do each evening, like planning for tomorrow, unplugging from technology, taking care of our physical health, practicing gratitude, reading for growth, reflecting on the day, and even doing absolutely nothing.
Start by incorporating one or two of these behaviors into your evening routine. Over time, as they become habits, you’ll notice your discipline improving.
Remember, discipline isn’t a destination. It’s a journey. And every little step you take counts. So start today, take the first step, and watch your life transform.
