Eliza Hartley
Let’s face it, discipline isn’t always easy to master. It’s about making choices that will benefit you in the long run, even when you’d prefer the easier option.
To be more disciplined, you need to create good habits. And the good news? It’s completely doable in just a month.
In this guide, I’ll show you 9 habits that can turn you into a more disciplined person in 4 weeks.
These are manageable, everyday changes that have the power to transform your life. But remember, it all comes down to choice – your choice.
1) Start with small wins
Discipline is like a muscle, it grows stronger with regular exercise. And the exercise doesn’t have to be a marathon. It can be as simple as making your bed every morning, or drinking a glass of water first thing when you wake up.
These are small, manageable tasks that don’t require a lot of time or effort. Yet, completing them gives you a sense of achievement and sets the tone for the rest of the day.
When you start your day with a win, you’re more likely to make better choices as the day progresses.
This habit creates a positive feedback loop in your brain. Each small victory boosts your confidence and strengthens your resolve to tackle bigger tasks.
So, start small and watch your discipline muscle grow stronger each day. But remember, consistency is key. Stick with it for the full 4 weeks and witness the transformation in your level of discipline.
2) Plan your day in advance
I can’t stress enough the importance of planning your day ahead. It’s a habit that has personally transformed my productivity and discipline.
I remember a time when my days were chaotic, filled with last-minute tasks and endless to-do lists. I was always rushing, always behind schedule, and my discipline suffered as a result.
Then, I started planning my day the night before. I listed out all the tasks I needed to complete, prioritized them, and scheduled my time accordingly. It was a game-changer.
Suddenly, I had direction. I knew what needed to be done and when. The chaos vanished, replaced by a sense of control and calm.
Over time, this habit helped me develop stronger discipline. It made me realize the value of time and the importance of sticking to a plan.
Therefore, set aside a few minutes each night to plan out your next day. Trust me, it’ll make a world of difference in your discipline journey.
3) Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is often associated with meditation and stress relief, but did you know it can also bolster your discipline?
When we are mindful, we are fully present in the moment. We pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without getting swept away by them. This state of awareness can help us make more deliberate decisions, rather than being swayed by impulses or distractions.
A study conducted by Northeastern University found that even a brief period of mindfulness training significantly increased people’s self-control and ability to resist temptation.
Let’s give mindfulness a try, shall we? Set aside a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breath. It could be just the discipline boost you need.
4) Set clear goals
Nothing fuels discipline quite like a clear goal. It gives you a reason to stay on track, to resist temptation, and to push through challenges.
Whether it’s losing weight, learning a new skill, or saving for a dream vacation, having a clear goal in mind can be a powerful motivator.
But here’s the catch: your goals must be both specific and realistic. A vague goal like “I want to get fit” is less effective than “I want to be able to run 5km in under 30 minutes in 4 weeks.” Similarly, an unrealistic goal only sets you up for failure and disappointment.
My point being: Take some time to identify and quantify your goals. Write them down and break them into smaller, achievable tasks. This habit not only increases your discipline but also boosts your confidence with each small victory.
5) Embrace routine
There’s a reason why successful people swear by their routines. A routine takes the guesswork out of your day and frees up mental energy for more important decisions. It provides a framework that can help you stay disciplined, even when motivation wanes.
Consider Mark Zuckerberg, for example. He wears the same type of outfit every day to eliminate the need to decide what to wear each morning. This is a form of routine that helps him save mental energy for more important decisions.
You don’t have to go to that extreme, but creating and sticking to a daily routine can be a game-changer for your self-discipline. Whether it’s a morning workout, a designated time for reading, or a nightly skincare regimen, find routines that work for you and stick with them.
The predictability of a routine can be comforting, and over time, the actions become automatic – which is discipline at its finest.
6) Learn to forgive yourself
We all have days when we fall short, when we give into temptation or let distractions get the best of us. It’s a part of being human.
When this happens, it’s easy to beat ourselves up and feel like all our hard work has been for nothing. But the truth is, no journey to discipline is without its setbacks.
What matters isn’t that you stumbled, but that you get back up and keep going. Self-forgiveness is pivotal in this process. Instead of dwelling on your missteps, acknowledge them, learn from them, and then let them go.
7) Prioritize sleep
For a long time, I considered sleep as optional. I would stay up late, trying to squeeze more productivity out of the day, and then drag myself out of bed the next morning feeling exhausted.
It wasn’t until I started prioritizing sleep that I realized how much it impacted my discipline. With adequate rest, I was more focused, more patient, and better able to resist temptations.
Sleep is the body’s way of recharging and preparing for a new day. When we are well-rested, our minds are sharper, our mood is better, and our willpower is stronger.
8) Eliminate distractions
We live in an age of constant notifications and endless streams of information. While technology has its benefits, it can also be a major distraction.
Studies show that it takes an average of 23 minutes to fully regain focus after being distracted. Imagine how much time you could save by simply eliminating unnecessary distractions!
This could mean turning off your phone notifications during work hours, decluttering your workspace, or blocking distracting websites.
Learning to manage and minimize distractions allows you to focus on your tasks and strengthens your discipline over time. It’s a habit worth cultivating, and you might be surprised at how much more you can achieve in a distraction-free environment.
9) Stay consistent
The key to developing discipline lies in consistency. It’s not about being perfect for a day or a week, but about showing up, doing your best, and staying committed to your goals, day in and day out.
Consistency requires effort, patience, and resilience. There will be days when you’re tired or unmotivated, days when you’d rather take the easy way out. But it’s on these days that your commitment to consistency matters most.
Because discipline isn’t a one-time act. It’s a habit, a lifestyle. And like any lifestyle change, it takes time and consistent effort.
Final thought: The power of choice
At the heart of discipline lies choice. The decision to wake up early, to prioritize your tasks, to ignore distractions, and to keep going even when it’s tough.
Every action we take, every habit we form, is a result of the choices we make. And these choices are largely influenced by our mindset.
Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck’s work on ‘growth mindset’ sheds light on this. Her research suggests that individuals who believe their abilities can grow and improve over time are more likely to embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, and maintain the discipline needed to achieve their goals.
The journey towards becoming more disciplined isn’t always easy. It requires effort, patience, and an unwavering commitment to your goals. But remember, it all begins with a choice – your choice.
