If you’re constantly procrastinating, you’re probably missing these 8 habits of disciplined people

Procrastination can be a real stumbling block, right? I get it.

As the founder of Hack Spirit, I’ve spent years trying to conquer my own tendency to put things off. And I have discovered something crucial: if you’re stuck in a cycle of procrastination, you’re probably lacking some key habits practiced by disciplined individuals.

Discipline isn’t about punishment or deprivation. It’s about making choices that move you closer to your goals, even when it’s tough. It’s about recognizing that the path to success isn’t always the easiest one.

In this article, I’ll share with you the 8 habits of disciplined people that have helped me combat procrastination and become more productive. By adopting these habits, you too can step out of the procrastination trap and start achieving more.

1) Embrace routine

Discipline and routine go hand in hand. It’s not the most glamorous habit, but it’s a game changer.

Think about all the successful people you admire. I bet they have a routine they stick to, come rain or shine. Take, for instance, Bill Gates. He sticks to a strict schedule that includes time for reading, thinking, and exercise – and he’s one of the most successful people in the world.

Routines provide structure. They help you prioritize your day, keep you focused, and reduce the need for decision-making, which can be mentally draining. By having a routine, you eliminate the need for willpower to get started because your body becomes accustomed to the pattern.

Procrastination often stems from feeling overwhelmed by the tasks at hand. But when you have a routine in place, it’s easier to break tasks down into manageable chunks and tackle them head on.

Now, creating a routine might sound daunting, especially if you’re used to flying by the seat of your pants. But it doesn’t have to be rigid or complicated. Start small. Dedicate specific time slots for different tasks throughout your day and stick to them.

Before you know it, what started as an intentional action will become a natural part of your day. And that’s when you’ll start seeing real progress in overcoming procrastination.

2) Prioritize self-care

Disciplined people understand that self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity for high performance. They know that in order to be productive and focused, they need to take care of their mental and physical health.

This might include regular exercise, a balanced diet, quality sleep, or even meditation. These habits help reduce stress, improve focus and make you more resilient to life’s inevitable ups and downs.

In fact, a survey found that 67% of respondents reported increased productivity as a result of engaging in self-care activities.

In contrast, neglecting self-care can leave you feeling drained, stressed, and unfocused, making it even harder to muster the discipline needed to overcome procrastination.

So how can you make self-care a habit? Start by scheduling it into your day just like any other important task. Prioritize it. Treat it as non-negotiable.

And self-care isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. Find what works best for you. It might be a morning run, an afternoon meditation session or winding down with a good book at night.

Whatever it is, make it a part of your daily routine and watch your productivity soar.

3) Practice mindfulness

From my personal experience, mindfulness has been a game changer in developing discipline. Mindfulness is about being present and fully engaged in the task at hand.

Disciplined people understand the importance of staying true to the moment, rather than letting their mind wander off to past regrets or future anxieties. This focus allows them to tackle tasks more efficiently and effectively.

But mindfulness is not just about focus. It’s also about self-awareness. Being mindful means being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and responses.

It helps you recognize when you’re starting to procrastinate or get distracted and enables you to gently steer your attention back to the task at hand.

The beauty of mindfulness is that it’s a skill that can be developed with practice. Start with just a few minutes a day of simple mindfulness exercises, like focusing on your breath or observing your thoughts without judgement. Over time, you’ll find it easier to stay focused and disciplined in all areas of your life.

4) Cultivate mental toughness

Disciplined people are often mentally tough. They have the resilience to face challenges head on, to persist in the face of setbacks, and to keep going even when things get hard.

Mental toughness isn’t about being emotionally detached or unfeeling. It’s about having the grit to keep moving forward, even when the going gets tough.

I’ve personally spent a lot of time exploring this concept. In fact, I wrote a book on it called The Art of Resilience: A Practical Guide to Developing Mental Toughness. In my book, I delve into how building mental toughness can help you overcome obstacles and achieve your goals – including beating procrastination.

Mental toughness helps you to stay focused on your goals, maintain a positive mindset, and bounce back from failure or adversity. It’s about adopting a can-do attitude and refusing to let temporary setbacks derail your progress.

Developing mental toughness isn’t always easy, but it’s absolutely achievable. It starts with reframing negative thoughts, setting clear goals, and practicing resilience – all things I explore in my book. Incorporating these strategies into your daily life can help you become more disciplined and less prone to procrastination.

5) Allow for downtime

This might sound counter-intuitive, but disciplined people aren’t always ‘on’. They understand the importance of downtime.

Rest and relaxation are crucial for maintaining productivity and focus. It’s during these quiet moments that our brains process information, recharge and prepare for the next round of tasks.

Research has shown that incorporating regular rest periods into your routine can significantly enhance productivity and mental well-being.

Non-stop work can lead to burnout, which is a surefire way to succumb to procrastination. It’s like trying to run a marathon without taking any breaks – you’re bound to collapse before the finish line.

So how do you incorporate downtime into your routine? It could be as simple as taking short breaks throughout the day, practicing deep breathing exercises, or scheduling leisure activities that you enjoy.

By allowing yourself regular periods of relaxation, you’re not slacking off, but rather investing in your overall productivity and mental well-being.

Remember, even the most disciplined people take breaks. Because they know that to keep going, sometimes you need to stop.

6) Set clear and realistic goals

Disciplined individuals are goal-oriented. They have a clear vision of what they want to achieve, and they set realistic goals that align with that vision.

Setting clear and realistic goals provides a roadmap for your actions. It gives you a purpose to strive for and a measure of progress. Without clear goals, it’s easy to drift aimlessly and fall into the trap of procrastination.

But setting goals isn’t just about deciding on an end result. It’s also about breaking down that end result into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes the overall goal feel less overwhelming and easier to tackle.

Start by identifying your long-term goals, then break them down into smaller short-term goals. Make sure these goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This will give you a clear direction and make it easier to stay disciplined and focused on your tasks.

7) Develop a growth mindset

One of the most significant transformations in my life came when I started embracing a growth mindset.

Disciplined individuals often have a growth mindset. They see challenges as opportunities for learning rather than as insurmountable obstacles. They understand that failure is not a reflection of their worth, but a stepping stone towards improvement.

Research indicates that individuals with a growth mindset—believing that intelligence and skills can be developed through effort—are more likely to embrace challenges and persist in the face of setbacks.

In contrast, a fixed mindset – the belief that our abilities are set in stone – can lead to procrastination. After all, why try if you believe you’re bound to fail?

Cultivating a growth mindset involves accepting that you are a work in progress. It means understanding that effort and perseverance, rather than innate talent, are the keys to success.

With a growth mindset, setbacks become learning opportunities, and effort becomes a path to mastery. It’s an empowering way to approach tasks and goals, and it’s been instrumental in helping me – and can help you – overcome procrastination.

8) Embrace accountability

Lastly, disciplined people understand the power of accountability. They know that having someone to answer to can significantly boost motivation and keep procrastination at bay.

Accountability can come in various forms. It could be a mentor who guides you, a friend who checks in on your progress, or even a public commitment to your goals.

When you’re accountable to someone else, you’re more likely to follow through on your tasks and commitments because you don’t want to let that person down.

So, find someone you trust and share your goals with them. Ask them to hold you accountable. Having that extra layer of commitment can be just what you need to stay disciplined and kick procrastination to the curb.

There you have it – the 8 habits that can help you build discipline and conquer procrastination. Remember, change doesn’t happen overnight. But with consistent effort and patience, these habits can become part of your daily life.

If you’re interested in diving deeper into the concept of discipline and mental toughness, check out my book, The Art of Resilience: A Practical Guide to Developing Mental Toughness. It’s packed with practical tips and strategies to help you build resilience, stay disciplined, and achieve your goals.

Let’s break the cycle of procrastination together. Here’s to a more disciplined, productive, and fulfilling life.