10 Simple Ways To Develop Self-Discipline I Wish I Knew Sooner
Written by Michelle Ong | May 29, 2024 | Growth, Productivity
Discover 10 simple ways to develop self-discipline I wish I knew sooner.
I’ve wrestled with procrastination and a lack of self-discipline, especially in certain areas of my life. From childhood, I got used to winding down with TV and video games after finishing homework. This habit stuck with me, shaping how I approached tasks.
As I grew older and had more freedom in planning my time, I often gave in to the temptation to procrastinate, opting for instant enjoyment over responsibilities like homework or studying. This habit followed me into adulthood, where I found myself prioritizing watching dramas over sleep.
Despite holding down a job and managing to get by, I felt a growing sense of emptiness in my life. I questioned if this cycle of indulging in binge-watching was truly what I wanted. I realized I needed to make a change.
Let’s dive into the 10 insights I have learned from my journey. Some are things I wish I’d known earlier, while others are strategies I’ve developed to bolster my self-discipline and conquer procrastination.
1. Self-Discipline Is A Conscious Choice
“The most powerful control we can ever attain is to be in control of ourselves.”
Chris Page
It’s easy to think of self-discipline as just a way to push yourself into doing stuff you don’t enjoy. But that’s not really what it’s about. I used to see it that way too. Then, I realized that’s not the right way to look at it.
Self-discipline is more like a choice you make to stick to your commitments and goals. It’s about showing yourself that you love yourself enough by following through on what you promised yourself. It’s a part of you that you bring out when you need that extra push to get things done. So, instead of seeing it as a forceful thing, think of it as a way to honor your own intentions and values.
2. Cultivate Awareness Of Patterns
Understanding yourself is a big part of building self-discipline. Everything in your life, from the people you meet to the experiences you have, shapes who you are, your beliefs, values and character. These experiences can bring up fears, doubts, and anxieties that affect how you respond to different situations. That’s why it’s crucial to take time to reflect on your habits and behaviors.
By understanding what triggers your procrastination, drains your energy or boosts your mood, you can lower the barriers to getting things done. For me, daily meditation has been a game-changer in becoming more self-aware. I’ve also heard about visualization and manifestation exercises where you imagine achieving your goals, which can boost determination. I’m eager to give those a try too!
3. Clarity Of Why
Developing self-discipline isn’t just about doing things you don’t want to do because they’re good for you. It’s about having a clear reason why you’re doing them. For me, this wasn’t always easy. Take exercising, for example. I used to hate it because I associated it with pain. I’d try to force myself to do it, but I’d always give up when I didn’t see results. It felt like self-discipline was useless.
But after reading some self-help books, I realized I was going about it the wrong way. I needed to give myself a new reason to exercise consistently. So, I decided to see myself as a healthy person who takes care of their body. I made it part of my identity. This mental shift helped me override my old beliefs, and it worked.
I learned that self-discipline isn’t about forcing yourself to do something tedious—it’s about knowing what you want and doing what it takes to get there. And part of that is being clear about what you’re willing to sacrifice. Through this process, you reinvent yourself. Your old self fades away, and your new, disciplined self emerges.
4. Plan Ahead
Planning ahead has always been a big part of my life. It helps me feel more prepared for whatever comes my way. Now, I’ll admit, I’m not always great at getting started with the planning itself. But once I have a plan in place, everything seems to go much smoother. It’s like having a roadmap to follow. When I know what I need to do ahead of time, it’s easier to stay disciplined and stick to my goals.
5. Set Rules
Dealing with distractions and temptations is something we all face. But how we handle them varies. To strengthen my self-discipline, I took a proactive approach. First, I identified my bad habits and distractions. Then, I made a ‘do-not-do’ list and set some rules to keep them in check. It wasn’t a long list, but it was effective. For instance, I decided to limit my screen time and resist the urge to reply to messages right away. It wasn’t easy at first, and I slipped up many times. But I stuck with it.
Eventually, I broke free from habits like endless scrolling on tik tok and binge-watching shows. I completely stopped scrolling tik tok and binge-watching dramas altogether. You might not need to be as extreme as me. Maybe you could set rules to indulge in such activities for leisure only after finishing your tasks.
What I learned is that having these rules are really helpful for delaying gratification. And it made me appreciate the rewards even more. Now, I value opportunities to and even learned to enjoy tackling challenging tasks because I know there’s a sweet reward waiting for me afterward, like watching my favorite anime after a good run. If you’re interested, I’ve also written a post about how rewiring your brain can help you tackle tough tasks.
Check out the Pinterest pins below for daily inspiration.
6. Set Priorities
Time is precious, and learning to manage it effectively is key. I’ve discovered that having a structured plan helps a lot. By setting aside specific times for work, leisure, and rest, I strike a balance between responsibilities and relaxation. It’s crucial to stick to the rules I’ve set for myself, especially when it comes to saying no to things that might eat into my important tasks.
To prioritize my tasks, I use the Eisenhower matrix, which helps me decide what’s urgent and what can wait. I also rely on tools like Google Calendar and daily to-do lists to keep track of my schedule and make sure I stay on top of things. These methods have been really effective in helping me manage my time and get things done.
7. Make It Easy
When facing a new task, it’s essential to plan ahead and break it down into manageable steps. Jumping straight into something new can be overwhelming and lead to demotivation. Humans naturally resist change, so it’s important to make goals realistic and achievable. By breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces, you can reduce resistance and make it easier to stay disciplined. This approach helps to avoid procrastination and allows you to tackle challenges one step at a time.
8. Set Anti-Goals
Defining your goals is crucial, but it’s equally important to outline what you want to avoid or minimize. These are called anti-goals or negative goals. They include things like reducing stress, avoiding procrastination, and eliminating bad habits.
It’s also vital to identify what you’re not willing to sacrifice to achieve your positive goals. This clarity ensures that pursuing your positive goals doesn’t come at the cost of other important aspects of your life. It’s about setting boundaries and priorities to maintain balance and overall well-being.
9. Set Up An Accountability System
I set up a personalized system that keeps me on track and holds me accountable: I use Google Calendar and Notion. In Notion, I plan out my day and create a daily journal entry with my to-do list and other notes. Then, I use Google Calendar to set reminders for when I need to do each task. When I complete a task, I check it off, which feels really satisfying and keeps me motivated.
Some people find it really helpful to rally support from friends or family to encourage and hold them accountable for their goals. Another popular technique is the Pomodoro Technique, but it didn’t make a big difference for me. I was already satisfied with the accountability system that I have. It’s all about finding what works best for you, as everyone is different.
10. Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself
I’ll be honest—I have a habit of being tough on myself, especially when things don’t go as planned. When I hit a roadblock or make a mistake, I tend to dwell on it, criticizing myself endlessly. But I’ve come to realize that this kind of self-criticism only makes matters worse. It’s like shooting myself in the foot! Instead, I’ve learned the power of self-compassion. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m slowly getting better.
Celebrating even the tiniest victories, giving myself credit for my efforts, and rewarding myself along the way—all of these things help me stay positive and motivated. I’ve also learned to be flexible and accept setbacks as part of the journey. They’re not roadblocks; they’re stepping stones to growth.
Check out the Pinterest pins below for more self-improvement ideas.
Take One Step Forward
I’ve put these methods into practice and am happy to say I’ve seen real improvements in my self-discipline. Resisting procrastination has become easier, making my life feel much more fulfilling.
If you’re struggling with self-discipline, know that you’re not alone. With patience and persistence, you can make progress too. It might not happen overnight, but every small step forward is a step in the right direction toward becoming the person you want to be.
Pin and share this post with your family and friends!
