Feel like you have no discipline and need a boost of willpower?

I get it. I feel the same way much more than I’d like to admit. But the good news is that over the years, I’ve developed a discipline philosophy that’s empowered me to blast through feelings of weakness and lethargy. The result? I destroy conflicted feelings and problematic behaviors to achieve my goals and ambitions.

But here’s the best part: You can do it too! And in this article, I’m going to show you how. Keep reading to learn more.

Effective Strategies for Building Self-Discipline

The concept of willpower is thrown around a lot when it comes to self-control.

While that idea is valid, other ways exist to combat a lack of discipline. To experience the tangible benefits of consistency, all you have to do is follow a few simple practices. Lucky for you, I have some suggestions that can help.

Here are some ideas that can help you cultivate more self-control.

Find Motivation Through Small Actions

It may seem like some people have inhuman willpower.

These are the David Goggins and Jocko Willinks of the world. These types of individuals have a secret to building unstoppable motivation and tapping into massive amounts of willpower. It’s called momentum.

They use the power of small actions to build up a sense of momentum.

This is a classic approach to self-discipline. It’s similar to stretching as a means to warm up before you hit the weights at the gym. You can get a rapid boost of willpower simply by engaging in a few simple actions (aligned with the discipline you need to do).

Don’t bite off more than you chew. Start small but think big.

Practice Calculated Hardships

I took daily cold showers for over 4 years.

Was it because I enjoyed jumping into an icy receptacle every morning? Not in the least. In fact, I hated it. Not once in the 1496 days I practiced this habit did it ever feel good. So, why did I subject myself to it for so long, you may wonder…

Simple… Because it desensitized me to doing uncomfortable tasks.

This is what I refer to as Calculated Hardships. It’s the practice of doing hard things deliberately to develop a bulletproof mindset toward self-discipline, which ultimately leads to growth and achieving your goals.

Actionable Self-Discipline Habits

If you have no discipline, you don’t need pie-in-the-sky ideas or theories. You need practical actions.

Lucky for you, I have a few simple habits that anyone can start (today) to strengthen their discipline muscle. The best part is that these are habits that call for no great amount of willpower. These are basic tasks you can do right now to gain momentum.

Let’s explore a few of them.

1. Start A Reading Habit

This habit is simultaneously the easiest and probably the most beneficial.

All you need to do is pick a book on a topic that interests you, find a quiet spot, and block out 15 to 20 minutes. As of this writing, I haven’t missed a day of reading in nearly 8 years. And here’s the thing… I hated reading growing up.

But this simple habit has been a catalyst for my self-improvement journey as a whole.

No discipline? No problem. Start with reading every day for at least a few minutes. It’s easy, fast, and it can change your life if you keep at it.

2. Create To-Do Lists

Lists are your greatest allies.

Start taking advantage of them. Seriously. I don’t care if you’re writing down simple reminders for your day or detailing your greatest goals and ambitions, lists create order in your life. As a result, you’ll feel more focused, structured, organized, and on task.

Here are a few ways to keep your lists:

• Notes app on your phone
• Google spreadsheet
• Good old-fashioned pen and paper

I have a system that I call the weekly blueprint that allows me to stay on top of things.

But whatever method you choose, you’ll appreciate how this simple practice can keep you focused when you feel like you have no discipline.

3. Review Your Goals

When you have no discipline, it can feel crushing.

You know you should be doing more but you just can’t seem to find the willpower to actually do it. Lucky for you, a simple hack for unlocking more self-control is to review your goals. How does this help you? It’s an easy action that anyone can do to build momentum.

Remember, discipline is all about stacking small wins to generate that sense of progress.

And a quick goal review can get that ball rolling in the right direction. But more than that, reviewing your goals can also ignite your motivation as you remember your desires and why you want them.

Conclusion: Embrace Your Journey Towards Discipline

Mastering self-discipline is a never-ending journey.

You’ll constantly be in battle against instant gratification and pleasure-seeking. As a result, you need to think of this process as a lifelong pursuit rather than a one-and-done operation. Mastering one discipline only opens you up to other holes and weak points in your behavior.

But my ebook The Disciplined Mind can help. In it, you’ll learn proven tips and tactics to develop and maintain your discipline. Check it out here.