How to Become More Disciplined

Have you ever wondered how some people are so fit, put together, excellent at everything they do, and … well, just seemingly perfect? You’re over here trying to finish one goal on your list and your friend who is seemingly the poster child of the Proverbs 31 woman has tackled all her goals for the year, and you’re wondering how she does it with a husband, 3 kids, and a full-time job. “What does she have that I don’t,” pops in your mind each time you think about her ability to complete goals and win at life.

I will tell you the secret today.

Sorry, Tom, we’re making this info public today.

The Power of Discipline

Your friend has self-discipline; she understands what is important and she has learned the art of discipline so she can enjoy the life she wants while sacrificing some things that may be important but aren’t as urgent others.

Discipline is a powerful thing and it can make a huge difference when transitioning from a life filled with procrastination into a life of progress. Discipline isn’t a gift, it’s a choice. People aren’t born disciplined, they become so by making positive choices. They have an easier time managing their lives because their discipline helps them:

• Be self-controlled
• Make wise decisions
• Maintain emotional stability
• Enjoy the art of delayed gratification

Discipline increases self-control.

Disciplined people are great at removing temptations and distractions from their environment. They use the idea of “out of sight, out of mind” to its fullest potential. They understand that they can be consistently bad at something, or they can have the discipline to show up and crush their goals so they can live life on their terms.

To become proactive (more disciplined), you have to avoid temptations that can derail your focus. Eliminate distraction and temptations that will cause you to procrastinate and fail to meet your goals.  

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.

Proverbs 25:28, NKJV

Discipline encourages you to make wise decisions.

Whether it’s in choosing to go to bed a decent time, eat healthy foods, or raise their kids a certain way, disciplined people make wise choices even when they may want to do something indulgent instead. It becomes a no-brainer for them to shut of the television and head to bed at 10 pm instead of staying up to watch the show they can DVR and watch after getting a great night’s rest. (Bonus that they are rewarded with being able to fast forward through the commercials!)

Become more proactive (disciplined) by making the best of the available decisions at any given moment. The next time you want to eat a pie instead of hitting the gym, check in with yourself and see which decision is going to have the better impact on your week. Making wise decisions will ensure you meet your goals without falling behind on important tasks and activities.

For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.

Ecclesiastes 7:12, NKJV

Discipline increases your ability to maintain emotional stability.

Our emotions change from moment to moment. Disciplined people do what’s important and right regardless of how they feel. They don’t let their mind trick them into procrastinating or avoiding important tasks. This is important because procrastination is almost always a mind game we are trying to win with ourselves.

Having a proactive mindset includes regulating your emotions. When you choose to be more disciplined with feelings that contribute to procrastination and deter you from your goals, you will accomplish more and celebrate more wins. You will also learn how to better tell when you need to give into an emotion and take a break versus when you need to keep pushing because it’s just a changing emotion.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

Discipline increases your appreciation of delayed gratification.

In this instant everything society, it is so important to delay gratification from time to time. Discipline makes it possible to wait for something great even if it means wading through a bunch of muck along the way. This can be as simple as waiting 72 hours to make a big decision or as big as continuing to exercise to lose that extra 100 pounds you packed on during the last two years. (No judgment, I ate my way through this thing and am just bouncing back and getting into the habit of being more active thanks to this challenge.)

A proactive and discipline lifestyle includes delayed gratification. Making plans and carrying them out because you know that in the end there will be a reward for your efforts is how we adult and do what’s needed so we can have the things we want.

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:27

Self-discipline is an important trait that will help you beat this procrastination habit. You too can have the life your friend is living, but as you were created to enjoy it, by becoming more disciplined.

5 Tips for Becoming More Disciplined

Let’s make this as easy as possible. If you want to become more disciplined, there are a few things you can implement in your life easily. Then you stick with them until they become muscle memory and you do them naturally.

• Start with small wins.
  • Start with something small like waking up 5 minutes early, working out for 10 minutes, drinking 8 more ounces of water.
• Give yourself small rewards.
  • Celebrate your wins in small bites. If you wake up early each day for a week, allow yourself a special treat like a facemask or a long bath.
• Increase your difficulty every 21 days.
  • Every three weeks, increase the intensity. Start waking up 10 minutes early, working out for 20 minutes, or drinking 16 more ounces of water.
• Add in new challenges.
  • As you get confident with your wins, add in new challenges, such as working on projects for 10 more minutes, and then start with #1 and work your way down again.
• Establish accountability with friends.
  • Get together with friends to tell them your goals, where you are struggling, and where you are doing well. Ask them to check in with you and keep you accountable.

Challenge

This week, as you’re implementing the other challenges from each day, be disciplined to sit down and go through your goals and think about actions that will help you reach them. Work those into your schedule, in place of things that may be sucking time from being productive. Live like this for one year and you will be a new person by November 2022!