Discipline and self-control are key to achieving long-term goals and maintaining a balanced life.
However, certain behaviors can unknowingly hinder your ability to stay focused and make positive changes.
If you’re looking to improve your self-discipline and control, it’s important to let go of habits that prevent progress.
In this article, I’ve outlined seven behaviors to say goodbye to if you want to build more discipline and self-control in your life:
1) Procrastination
Procrastination, a universal vice we all grapple with—it’s the enemy of discipline and self-control—and it’s one trait we need to kick to the curb if we’re serious about gaining control of our lives.
When we procrastinate, we delay tasks that need immediate attention, instead opting for more pleasurable or less stressful activities.
It’s a temporary escape, but one that plants us firmly in a cycle of no productivity and guilt.
The rational part of our brain knows that by delaying tasks, we’re only creating more stress for our future selves, but the impulsive part often wins the battle, leading to regret later.
By saying goodbye to procrastination, you take the first step towards a life of discipline and self-control.
It won’t be an easy journey, but once you start, you’ll notice how much easier it becomes to manage your tasks and time.
Overcoming procrastination isn’t about becoming an overnight productivity machine.
It’s about making small, consistent changes towards better habits.
2) Lack of planning
Let me tell you a little story from my life: I used to struggle with maintaining a disciplined and controlled lifestyle as I’d wake up each day with no clear plan, then react to situations as they came up.
This reactive approach was draining and left me feeling like I was always playing catch-up, never in control.
Then, I decided to make a change—I started planning my days.
Planning might not sound like the most exciting activity but it was the game changer for me.
It gave structure to my days and helped me prioritize my tasks.
I knew what needed to be done and when, which reduced the stress of the unknown and improved my productivity.
By ditching the ‘go with the flow’ attitude for a more structured approach, I was able to gain more control over my time and tasks.
The result? More discipline, less chaos.
3) Skipping meals
Eating irregularly or skipping meals can have a surprising impact on your self-control and discipline.
When you skip meals, your blood sugar levels dip, affecting your mood and energy levels.
This can lead to impulsive decisions and a lack of focus, both of which are detrimental to maintaining discipline.
Moreover, the act of skipping meals itself is a form of disregarding self-discipline.
Regular meal times are a form of routine, and sticking to routines is a key aspect of discipline.
Did you know that in ancient Greece, soldiers were often fed at regular intervals to maintain their discipline and morale—and this practice has transcended time with modern armies being fed with military food while also following structured meal times?
Regular meals are an essential part of maintaining self-discipline and control in life.
4) Neglecting self-care
We often associate discipline and self-control with hard work and relentless effort, but it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of self-care.
Neglecting self-care may seem like a shortcut to achieving more in less time, but it’s a counterproductive behavior.
When you don’t take care of your physical and mental health, your energy levels drop, your focus wanes, and your ability to exert self-control diminishes.
Taking time for yourself isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity for maintaining discipline.
Whether it’s regularly exercise, doing yoga, following a healthy diet, having sufficient sleep, or simply taking a moment of quiet, these activities rejuvenate you, providing the energy needed to maintain discipline and self-control.
Start incorporating self-care into your routine and watch your discipline and self-control soar.
5) Fear of failure
Failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success—yet, this wasn’t always my approach though.
In the past, I was often paralyzed by the fear of failure: I found myself avoiding new opportunities or challenges because I was afraid that I wouldn’t succeed.
My fear was holding me back from developing discipline and achieving my goals.
Over time, I realized that by avoiding failure, I was also avoiding growth.
Every failed attempt is a lesson learned, a stepping stone towards success, and embracing this mindset helped me to develop more discipline, as I was no longer deterred by the prospect of failing.
It’s not about not failing but, rather, not giving up.
6) Perfectionism
Perfectionism may seem like a desirable trait, but it can be a major roadblock to self-discipline and control.
When you set unrealistically high standards for yourself, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment and stress.
This can lead to procrastination, avoidance of tasks, and a decrease in motivation—all of which hamper your self-discipline.
It’s important to strive for excellence, but remember that it’s okay to make mistakes and have flaws (you’re human after all)!
What matters is your commitment to learning and improving.
Letting go of perfectionism doesn’t mean settling for mediocrity.
It means giving yourself permission to be imperfect, learning from your mistakes, and moving forward.
7) Negative self-talk
The way you talk to yourself greatly influences your ability to maintain discipline and control.
Negative self-talk—those inner dialogues where you criticize or doubt yourself—can erode your self-confidence and hinder your progress.
If you constantly tell yourself that you lack discipline, that you’re not strong enough, or that you’ll never change, then you’re setting yourself up for failure.
You’re reinforcing the very behaviors you’re trying to change.
Instead, cultivate positive self-talk: Remind yourself of your strengths, celebrate your small wins, and encourage yourself during challenging times.
Positive self-talk can significantly boost your self-esteem, resilience, and ultimately, your self-discipline and control.
The conversation you have with yourself is the most important one you’ll ever have.
So make it a positive one, and watch as your discipline and self-control flourish!
Final thoughts: It’s a journey
The journey towards self-discipline and control is not about an end goal—it’s about the process, the transformation.
The American philosopher, Will Durant, paraphrasing Aristotle, once said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Discipline and self-control grow stronger with consistent effort.
The changes may not be immediate, but with patience and persistence, progress will come.
Remember, setbacks are part of the journey—every small step counts.
Keep going, and trust that each effort is moving you toward growth and improvement!
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