How to Develop Self-Discipline & Reach Your Goals

Follow these ten tips to train your discipline

Another day goes by, and you don’t work out. Oh well, you think. I’ll try again tomorrow. You simply don’t have the motivation today.

But what if your motivation didn’t matter? Your ability to reach your goals relies on your ability to develop self-discipline.

Discipline is a muscle, and you can train it. Every day you can take steps to increase your discipline.

In this article, we’re going to talk about how to develop self-discipline. You ready?

1. Know your why

Your why will act as a North Star. When you want to give up, your why reminds you to keep going. Why do you want to achieve this goal? Why not something else?

Write down your ‘why’ somewhere you can see. Use positive phrases wherever possible.

Focus on positive outcomes. “I want to lose weight” isn’t as good as “I want the energy to keep up with my kids.”

2. Set a SMART goal

You’ve heard it before, but to attain your goals they MUST be:

Specific
Measurable
Actionable
Relevant
Timely

Be as specific as possible when you’re setting your goals. If your goal is to write more, don’t say, ‘I want to write more.’

Say, ‘I’ll write for 30 minutes every day at 9:00.’ Tell yourself what you’re going to do, when you’re going to do it, and where.

Knowing these details will help you establish the habit and build discipline.

3. Visualize the outcome

Here’s a secret: brains don’t know the difference between reality and imagination.

Start by taking a comfortable seat. Close your eyes and imagine reaching your goal in as vivid detail as possible.

Imagine going for a run.

Visualize putting on your clothes, feel the fabric on your skin. Visualize lacing up your shoes and feel your feet hit the pavement as you run.

Imagine your success and feel it in your bones.

4. Set new habits and rituals

Use your smart goals to create small, actionable steps. Start on the tiniest action you can think of.

If you’re starting to write, start with 300 words a day. You want to make your habits small and actionable. Don’t try and bite off more than you can chew.

When I first started running, I ran too much and too fast. I burned out and got shin splints. I had to scale back.

Instead, I went for a quick run around the block. Much more doable.

You can check off a win every time you do one of those small steps. It’s like putting a vote in your goal box. Each action gets you one step closer to the win.

5. Time block

You’ll come up with a million excuses not to do something. You’ll say things like “I don’t have any time” when you do. You’re just not prioritizing.

The key here is to prioritize your goals and what you’re doing. Block off time every day specifically to work on your goals.

When you set the time aside, it makes the goal non-negotiable. If it’s important to you, make time to do it.

6. Do it first

My morning routine is the most important part of my day. My morning routine allows me to wake up and primes me for the day ahead.

When you have something important you want to get done, do it first thing. It may change from day to day, but putting it first ensures it gets done.

If I don’t work out first thing in the morning, I don’t work out, period. So, I put working out first. Then, I’ll do the next most important thing.

Whenever I get stuck and don’t know what I need to do, I’ll ask an important question:

What’s the one thing I can do, such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary? — “The One Thing” by Gary Keller

Tackle your important tasks. It’ll give you a sense of accomplishment to get it done, and it’ll take the stress off your back.

7. Prepare your environment

Make your tasks as easy to do as possible. If you’re planning to write in the morning, close out all your tabs the night before and open your blank document.

Ease as much of the friction you can between you and your goal. If your goal is to exercise, lay out your clothes the night before.

You get to the doing part quicker when you’re not caught up in the menial setup tasks.

Remove the resistance so you can get started sooner.

8. Fail often

If you want to build discipline, heads up: you won’t always get it right. Make peace with that.

Failure is inevitable. The sooner you accept failure, the sooner you can bounce back. Failure is a good thing. It means you’re learning.

You’re not going to be perfect every day. Some days you’re going to have an off day. Recognize that and get back up on the horse the next day.

Don’t let failure keep you down.

9. Forgive yourself

In the same vein, don’t be hard on yourself when you do fail. You’re human. It’s okay to screw up.

Give yourself the space and grace to fall on your face sometimes. It won’t be the end of the world.

Forgive yourself and move on.

10. Partner up

Accountability partners can be effective if you use them right. Find a friend working on similar goals and commit to checking in with each other.

Get a coach or mentor that will hold you accountable. If you spend money on a coach or accountability program, you’re more likely to complete your work because you’ll have skin in the game.

Checking in with someone will make you think twice before skipping.

Unlocking your potential

By tapping into self-discipline, you’re not just ticking off tasks; you’re paving a path to the best version of yourself.

Imagine waking up each day confident and in control. Imagine waking up each day feeling unstoppable. Imagine your goals in clear sight and an unwavering will to chase them.

That’s the power of self-discipline.

By weaving it into your routine, you’re not just building habits but constructing the foundations of success.

Remember, every small choice you make today crafts a better tomorrow. So, why wait? Start now, channel that inner strength, and shape your destiny.

Ready to level yourself up and become the best version of yourself? Download my free journaling guide now.

Maggie Kelly is a freelance writer who writes about mental health, self-help, and psychology. Contact at maggiepkelly@gmail.com