We all struggle with staying on track sometimes, especially when life gets busy or overwhelming.
But what if lack of discipline starts holding you back in life?
If you’re struggling with consistency and motivation, you’ll be pleased to learn that you don’t have to completely overhaul who you are.
The truth is, the key to becoming more disciplined lies in adopting the right habits.
In this piece, I’m going to share eight habits that can help you become a more disciplined person. These are habits I use daily, and they have been a game-changer for me.
1) Embrace routine
Establishing a daily routine can significantly improve your discipline.
Once you have a set schedule, you eliminate the need to decide what to do next. Your day is already planned out for you, thus reducing decision fatigue and increasing productivity.
Creating a routine doesn’t mean you have to fill every minute of your day with tasks, though.
Rather, it’s about identifying the key actions that will help you reach your goals and committing to doing them consistently.
2) Practice mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness has been a game-changer for me. It’s a habit that I’ve integrated into my daily routine and it has significantly improved my focus and discipline.
Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment, fully aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
It’s about paying attention to the task at hand, rather than letting your mind wander off to the past or future.
Here’s an example from my own life: I used to find myself constantly distracted while working, with my thoughts drifting off to the multitude of other tasks I had to do.
This made it hard for me to finish any single task efficiently.
Once I started practicing mindfulness, I was able to remain focused on one task at a time, completing it before moving on to the next.
This not only increased my productivity but strengthened my discipline as well.
3) Cultivate self-awareness
Self-awareness plays a significant role in becoming a more disciplined person. It involves understanding your behaviors, motivations, and emotional responses.
When you become self-aware, you can identify areas where your discipline is lacking and take steps to improve.
One powerful way to increase self-awareness is through journaling.
Writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences can give you valuable insights into your patterns of behavior.
In fact, in my book “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego”, I delve into how self-awareness and mindfulness are the cornerstones of Buddhist teachings.
By cultivating self-awareness, you can take control of your actions and make disciplined choices that align with your goals.
4) Set clear goals
Setting clear and achievable goals is a crucial habit to develop for enhancing discipline.
Goals give you a target to aim for, a purpose that justifies the effort and discipline required to achieve it.
Psychology research emphasizes the importance of setting S.M.A.R.T goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Such goals are clear and well-defined, making it easier for you to stay focused and disciplined in your efforts to achieve them.
Moreover, breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks can make the path towards achieving them seem less daunting.
This strategy can also provide you with a sense of accomplishment and motivation as you complete each task.
Setting clear goals can boost your self-efficacy, helping you tackle challenges with discipline and determination.
5) Allow room for flexibility
This might seem counter-intuitive when talking about discipline, but it’s crucial.
Being too rigid can lead to burnout, and when we’re burnt out, our discipline tends to wane.
Life is unpredictable. There will be times when things don’t go as planned and sticking rigidly to a set routine or plan may not be feasible.
In such situations, having the flexibility to adapt and adjust is a strength.
Practicing flexibility doesn’t mean you abandon your goals or routines. It means you’re open to change when necessary, and you can adjust your plans while still staying committed to your goals.
Psychologist Carol Dweck’s research on mindset reinforces this. She states, “In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening.
So rather than thinking, oh, I’m going to reveal my weaknesses, you say, wow, here’s a chance to grow.”
So remember, while discipline is important, so is being flexible in your approach towards your goals.
6) Practice patience
Becoming disciplined is a journey, not a destination. It takes time to develop new habits and routines, and it’s important to be patient with yourself during this process.
If you expect instant results, you may find yourself disappointed and demotivated.
Instead, appreciate the small progress you make each day towards becoming more disciplined.
Patience also helps you remain calm and composed in challenging situations, allowing you to make more disciplined decisions.
7) Prioritize self-care
Self-care is often overlooked in the pursuit of discipline, but it’s absolutely essential.
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of achieving goals and forget about taking care of oneself. But neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, which can seriously hinder your discipline and productivity.
Make sure to schedule time for activities that rejuvenate you:
- Reading a book
- Going for a walk
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Getting regular exercise
In my early years of entrepreneurship, I found myself working late nights and skipping meals regularly.
This took a toll on my health and I realized that I couldn’t keep up with my responsibilities if I didn’t take care of myself.
Since then, self-care has become a non-negotiable part of my routine.
8) Embrace failure
No one likes to fail, but failure is an inevitable part of life. More importantly, it’s a crucial part of becoming more disciplined.
Each failure you encounter is an opportunity to learn and grow. It offers valuable lessons about what works and what doesn’t.
By embracing failure, you develop resilience and the ability to bounce back, both essential qualities for maintaining discipline in the face of adversity.
Moreover, by viewing failure as a stepping stone towards success rather than a setback, you can maintain your motivation and stay committed to your goals.
In conclusion: It’s a journey
Building discipline doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right habits in place, it’s absolutely within your reach.
By embracing these nine new habits, you’re setting yourself up for long-term success and a more focused, fulfilling life.
In my book “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego”, I delve deeper into the importance of discipline in achieving a balanced life.
I explore Buddhist teachings on mindfulness, self-awareness, and discipline, providing practical advice for incorporating these principles into your everyday life.
