5 Ways to Become a More Disciplined Person
At this time of year, more than any other, many of us are eager to implement positive changes in our lives. But the truth is, if we don’t have the discipline to work on making those chances, we won’t reach our goals or get the outcomes we desire. Discipline is an essential ingredient in the process of creating change. But it’s something a lot of us are lacking.
Discipline is a multi-dimensional skill. It consists of elements such as focus, commitment, structure, consistency, and the willingness to tolerate discomfort. Practicing discipline means choosing to make the effort, even when you don’t feel like it. It means committing yourself to something when you’re tempted to avoid it. It means keeping changed behaviors in place, even after you’ve reached your original goal. Motivation helps you set new goals; commitment helps you start working on them; but only discipline can help you keep the changes and place and turn the goals you achieve into new ways of being.
If discipline isn’t your strong suit, don’t stress! There are many ways you can start to develop it, no matter how old you are or how undisciplined you might be. Here are 5 simple ways you can get started:
- Identify the areas where you struggle most. For some people it’s following through on a task or commitment; for others it’s finishing what they’ve started. Some people have the hardest time with implementing new behaviors on a consistent basis. Others struggle most with making excuses and talking themselves out of their efforts to change. Take an honest look at your own challenge areas, so you can see where the work is most needed.
- Set yourself up for success. Sometimes, the things that get in the way of being disciplined are things people tend not to consider, like getting enough sleep and maintaining proper nutrition. Paying attention to these lifestyle basics will help you access the energy and mental focus you’ll need to stay disciplined.
- Notice the thoughts and emotions that drain you of discipline. It’s one thing to work towards a goal when you’re motivated; it’s another to keep at it, even when you don’t feel like it. This is what discipline is all about. Your thoughts and feelings, which are constantly changing, can easily keep you from making good on the promises you make to yourself. To keep this from happening, pay attention to the emotions and feeling states that tend to derail you, and be mindful of the kinds of thoughts that keep you from sticking to your commitments.
- Write things down and set reminders. Distraction is a big barrier to discipline. To keep it from taking you off course, organize yourself by writing down your goals/intentions/tasks and keeping them somewhere you’ll be sure to look at on a regular basis. Get a calendar or planner, if you don’t already have one, where you can write things down and keep yourself organized. Set reminders in your phone or use organizational apps and digital tools to keep yourself on track.
- Practice delayed gratification. Our world is wiring us all for instant gratification, and it’s never been easier to take shortcuts and stay on the comfortable path of least resistance. But discipline requires delayed gratification—the ability to sustain effort in the absence of reward. This can be incredibly difficult, especially if you didn’t develop the ability early on in life; but you can train yourself to get better at it. Start with small practices, like not turning on the TV until you’ve completed all the essential tasks on your to-do list; not opening TikTok until you’ve sent those important work emails; or waiting to enjoy your morning coffee until after you’ve finished a 30-minute workout. Eventually, you can build up to setting bigger goals that require discipline and delayed gratification to complete.
