If you want to be more disciplined in life, do these 8 things daily

If someone wakes up at 5 AM daily, you can bet they’re disciplined. If someone makes a to-do list and checks off every item, you know they’re organized.

That’s Discipline 101.

But, let’s face it. Achieving that level of discipline isn’t as simple as it seems. It involves more than just setting an alarm or creating a list. It’s about developing habits, routines, and more importantly, the right mindset.

Yet, there are people who seem to master this effortlessly. And that’s because they practice these 8 specific habits daily.

Let’s dive into it and find out what these habits are to help you become a more disciplined individual, whether it’s in your personal life or your entrepreneurial journey. After all, discipline is the foundation of success, right?

1) Set clear and achievable goals

Goals are like a compass; they guide your actions and decisions.

Without a clear destination in mind, it’s easy to drift aimlessly and waste precious time. That’s why disciplined individuals always have a set of goals they’re working towards.

But here’s the catch: not just any goal will do.

Disciplined individuals understand the importance of setting achievable, realistic goals. They’re not shooting for the stars right away. Instead, they break down their larger aspirations into smaller, manageable tasks that can be accomplished daily.

This way, every day brings them one step closer to their ultimate goal. And each day’s success fuels their motivation to keep going.

If you want to build discipline in your life, start by defining your goals. Make sure they’re challenging enough to push you, but not so lofty that they discourage you.

And remember, consistency is key. Daily progress, however small, accumulates into substantial achievements over time.

2) Create and maintain a routine

When it comes to discipline, routine is king.

I remember when I first started my entrepreneurial journey, I was all over the place. My work hours were erratic, I was constantly juggling tasks, and the concept of a ‘work-life balance’ was completely foreign to me.

It was chaos, and it was draining my energy and productivity.

Then I decided to create a routine. I started by identifying my most productive hours – for me, that’s early in the morning – and I dedicated those to tackling the most challenging tasks of my day.

I also set specific times for breaks, meals, and even downtime. And slowly but surely, my life started to feel less chaotic.

The benefits were immediate. My productivity skyrocketed, I had more energy throughout the day, and I was achieving my goals more consistently.

Routines provide structure. They reduce decision fatigue and allow us to focus our energy on what truly matters.

If you want to be more disciplined, start by establishing a routine that works for you. It might take some trial and error, but once you find a rhythm that suits your lifestyle and goals, stick with it.

Remember: it’s not about having a rigid schedule that restricts you; it’s about creating a framework that empowers you.

3) Embrace delayed gratification

Discipline often means choosing what you want most over what you want now. It’s about prioritizing long-term success over immediate satisfaction.

In psychology, this concept is known as delayed gratification. It’s the ability to resist the temptation of an immediate reward in preference for a later, more enduring reward.

This principle was famously demonstrated in the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment. In this study, children were offered a choice between one small reward provided immediately or two small rewards if they waited for a short period.

The results? Those who were able to wait longer for the larger rewards tended to have better life outcomes, including academic success, healthier lifestyles, and even higher SAT scores.

If you want to be more disciplined, start practicing delayed gratification. Whether it’s resisting a slice of pizza for a healthier body or working on your startup instead of watching TV for a successful business – remember, good things come to those who wait.

4) Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is about being present, being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. It’s about embracing the here and now.

Contrary to popular belief, discipline isn’t about being hard on yourself or denying your needs and desires. It’s about understanding them, recognizing them, and making informed decisions based on them.

Practicing mindfulness allows you to understand what you truly need versus what you simply want. It helps you make decisions that align with your goals and values.

So, how do you practice mindfulness? Start by paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Practice active listening when others speak. Engage in activities that require full engagement and presence, like meditating or painting.

Remember, discipline is a journey, not a destination. By practicing mindfulness, you’ll be more aware of your progress and more forgiving of your setbacks – ultimately making the journey a lot smoother and enjoyable.

5) Prioritize and declutter

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my journey towards discipline, it’s the importance of prioritizing and decluttering.

Having too many tasks on your plate can be overwhelming. It’s like juggling a dozen balls at once – eventually, you’re bound to drop one. That’s why I’ve made it a point to prioritize my tasks based on their importance and urgency.

But decluttering isn’t just about tasks – it’s also about decluttering your physical space. I’ve found that a clean, organized workspace does wonders for my focus and productivity.

And the same goes for decluttering your mind. By letting go of unnecessary worries and focusing on the task at hand, you free up mental space for more important thoughts.

So, if you want to be more disciplined, start by prioritizing your tasks and decluttering your life – both physically and mentally. You’ll be surprised by how much more you can accomplish when you’re not weighed down by unnecessary baggage.

6) Allow room for flexibility

Discipline doesn’t mean rigidity. In fact, the most disciplined individuals understand the importance of flexibility.

Life is unpredictable. Things don’t always go as planned, and that’s okay. What matters is how you adapt to these changes and unexpected events.

Imagine if you set a strict diet plan and one day, you find yourself at a friend’s birthday party with a slice of cake in front of you. Does discipline mean you should refuse the cake? Not necessarily.

Instead, it could mean allowing yourself to enjoy that slice, but compensating for it later by having a lighter dinner or adding an extra workout session to your week.

Discipline is not about punishing yourself or sticking to rules at all costs. It’s about making conscious decisions and adjusting your plans accordingly to maintain balance.

So, as you strive for more discipline in your life, remember to leave room for flexibility. It’s not only a more sustainable approach but also a much happier one.

7) Surround yourself with disciplined people

We’ve all heard the saying, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” There’s a lot of truth to that.

If you surround yourself with disciplined individuals, their habits, mindset, and work ethic will inevitably rub off on you. They can provide motivation, inspiration, and even practical tips and advice on how to be more disciplined.

On the other hand, if you’re constantly around people who lack discipline, it can be challenging to maintain your own. Their habits might influence you in ways that steer you away from your goals.

So, take a good look at your social circle. Are these people helping you become more disciplined, or are they holding you back? Remember, it’s not about cutting people off, but about consciously choosing to spend more time with those who help you grow.

After all, discipline is contagious. Make sure you’re catching it from the right people.

8) Learn to forgive yourself

Being disciplined doesn’t mean being perfect. You’re human, and you’re bound to slip up from time to time. The key is not letting those slip-ups derail your progress.

When you make a mistake, acknowledge it, learn from it, and move on. Beating yourself up over it won’t do you any good. In fact, it might even hinder your progress by demoralizing you and shaking your confidence.

Discipline is about consistency, not perfection. It’s about getting back on track as quickly as possible after a setback. And to do that, you need to be able to forgive yourself.

So remember, every mistake is a lesson. Every setback is an opportunity for growth. And every time you forgive yourself, you’re taking a step towards becoming a more disciplined individual.

Embrace the journey towards discipline

If you’ve made it this far, hopefully, you’re starting to see that discipline isn’t about stringent rules or self-punishment. It’s about making conscious decisions that align with your goals and values.

Discipline, in its true essence, comes from understanding your own place in the grand scheme of things and recognizing the value of time, effort, and consistency.

Remember, it’s not about being perfect or never making mistakes. It’s about learning, evolving, and consistently striving for better.

As American philosopher Elbert Hubbard once said, “Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do what you should do when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.”

So give these habits a try. Embrace the journey towards discipline. And remember, it’s a process that’s unique to you.

After all, if discipline was easy to achieve, everyone would have it. But for those who are willing to put in the effort, the rewards are well worth it – a more organized life, increased productivity, better health, and the satisfaction of achieving your goals.

And that makes you, not just a disciplined individual, but also an exceptional one.