Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to reach the next level of success or an aspiring athlete hoping to crush your fitness goals, self-discipline is a key component of success. Unfortunately, being disciplined is often easier said than done.
If you’re hoping to improve discipline in any area of your life, you must start with the right foundation. And these rules will help you!
8 Rules to Improve & Sustain Self-Discipline
Rule #1 – Get meaningful motivation.
If you’re finding yourself lacking in the discipline to accomplish your goals, perhaps you should consider why you’re doing it in the first place. A weak motivation leads to weak results. For example, working out to achieve the perfect beach body will only get you so far when you don’t feel like hitting the gym. When your goal is lifelong health for the sake of your kids, grandkids, and quality of life, though, you’re going to be motivated for much longer. The right motivation makes discipline easier.
Rule #2 – Eliminate temptations.
Temptations are part of life. With that said, you shouldn’t give yourself any easy outs. If you’re trying to improve your eating habits, don’t keep junk around. If you’re trying to spend less money, don’t browse Amazon. Recognize your weaknesses and cut yourself off at the pass – you don’t want to create opportunities to fail.
Rule #3 – Set tangible goals.
One of the biggest obstacles to maintaining motivation and self-discipline is a lack of defined goals. Give yourself real targets with numbers attached. This clarity allows you to aim properly and feel and understand the progress you’re making. Without those benchmarks in place, you may only experience progress – or stagnation – as a feeling. And feelings will never help you maintain discipline!
Rule #4 – Secure accountability.
An accountability partner can be a great thing. Whether you’re after a mentor or a workout buddy, their presence can keep you on track through motivational support, joint effort, advice, and clarity. Not everyone wants or needs this accountability, but if you find you stay on track when there’s another set of eyes on you, invest in one of these relationships!
Rule #5 – Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
There’s nothing wrong with setting lofty goals. Ambition is a good thing. However, we have to make sure that our ambitions can be grounded and broken down into actionable, manageable chunks. You’ll find yourself overwhelmed if your goal is too big or too far removed from your starting point. Break it down. You’ll find it easier to maintain self-discipline when there’s a clear milestone on the horizon.
Rule #6 – Stop “all or nothing” thinking.
So many of us struggle with this, especially those of us with a perfectionist streak. Remind yourself that any progress is good progress. A bad day, a setback, an unexpected challenge – these things don’t mean that what you’ve accomplished was for nothing. Forgive yourself when you fall short and don’t let past failures become present excuses.
Rule #7 – Be the architect of your success.
Success is by design, not happenstance. When we set up routines, habits, and thought patterns that support our ambitions, we’re much more likely to maintain motivation and discipline. Keep your gym clothes in the car. Organize your weekly priorities. Set a defined schedule. The more intentional and mindful you are about how you spend your time and prepare to meet your goals, the easier they will be to achieve!
Rule #8 – Stop relying on willpower.
Human willpower, for most people, is surprisingly weak when there are no immediate, tangible stakes. It’s even harder when you’re caught between long-term gains through discipline and short-term gratification through giving in. Don’t blame your lack of willpower. We all lack willpower. Instead, see willpower as something you can grow and improve through discipline. It will make your moments of weakness easier to overcome because you’re not relying on feelings or impulses. You are not at the mercy of some primal sway of will.
However, when you’ve grounded yourself in the right motivation, in real, specific goals, and have orchestrated every opportunity for your success, willpower won’t even enter the equation.
What are your best tips for sticking with tough goals? Share your strategies in the comments.