5 Signs You Lack Discipline

1. You constantly break promises to yourself – If you say you’ll do something but never follow through, it’s a red flag. (No, telling yourself you’ll wake up early and then snoozing 5 times doesn’t count as “compromise.”)
2. You choose comfort over growth – Always opting for easy, short-term pleasure instead of long-term benefits? You might need more discipline. (Yes, Netflix will always be there; your goals won’t.)
3. You procrastinate often – “I’ll start tomorrow” is your favorite phrase. Spoiler: Tomorrow never comes. (If it did, my to-do list from 2019 wouldn’t still be staring at me.)
4. You let your emotions dictate your actions – You don’t feel like doing it, so you don’t. Discipline is about doing it despite how you feel. (Your future self would like a word… and possibly a refund.)
5. You lack a structured routine – No set wake-up time, no plan for your day, just winging it. A structured schedule is the backbone of discipline. (And no, “vibing through life” is not an actual plan.)

That One Quote That Makes You Think

I read this one line somewhere the other day, and it stuck in my head for days. It haunted me in every waking moment: “The highest form of self-love is self-discipline.” It made me question my entire existence because I claim to love myself—most certainly—but do I show up for myself every single time? Not so sure. Turns out, love isn’t just about spa days and treating yourself; sometimes, it’s about dragging yourself out of bed when you’d rather be in a long-term relationship with your blanket.

There are so many times when I say I’ll read a non-fiction book for 20 minutes, do yoga in the morning, work out four times a week instead of three, eat three healthy meals in a row, and cook at home often. But then, reality kicks in. I pick up a juicy fiction book instead of that enlightening self-help read—or worse, I scroll endlessly on my phone. I take that extra 30 minutes of sleep instead of showing up for myself as promised. Instead of working out four times a week, I settle for two, or just once—or let’s be honest, none. CAN I STILL CLAIM THAT I LOVE MYSELF THE MOST if I don’t show up for myself? Or am I just in a toxic relationship with my own excuses?

When we continually sabotage ourselves, it becomes a pattern, and patterns become habits, and habits become reality. And that reality? It becomes us. Making promises to yourself and not following through is like not showing up to a lunch date with your best friend. Do it once, and they’ll forgive you. Do it every single time, and they’ll quit on you. Now, apply that same logic to your body and brain—keep letting yourself down, and one day, you’ll wake up wondering why you feel stuck in a loop of laziness and regret.

Reality check: Time will not come knocking at your door, politely introducing itself like, “Dear sir/madam, here I am—use me wisely!” Nope. You have to carve out time for the things that matter, for the version of yourself you want to become. Otherwise, you’ll wake up one day and realize that, whether you did something or not, another morning has passed, and then another, and another. Time keeps slipping… like an unsupervised toddler near a cake table.

Five Small Ways To Discipline Yourself (something that actually works)

1. Start Small – Don’t overwhelm yourself with major changes. Begin with small, manageable habits. (Like actually drinking water before coffee. Baby steps.)

You don’t wake up one day and suddenly become a Navy SEAL of self-discipline. You build up to it. It starts with one small thing—like resisting the urge to scroll through your phone first thing in the morning (yes, that TikTok hole can wait). Maybe it’s just drinking a glass of water before inhaling your caffeine, or making your bed like you’re auditioning for a hotel housekeeping job. Small wins add up. Before you know it, you’re meal-prepping, working out consistently, and—dare I say—flossing every night like an actual responsible adult (I need to work on that too; ouch).

2. Stick to a Routine – Make discipline a habit by creating a consistent daily schedule. (Because “organized chaos” is just chaos.”)

Some people say, “I thrive in chaos.” No, you don’t. That’s just a fancy way of admitting you’re one missed alarm away from a full-blown meltdown. A routine doesn’t have to be rigid—it just has to exist. Wake up at a consistent time, have a morning ritual, block out time for work, exercise, and relaxation. Even the most creative minds thrive when they have structure. Picasso didn’t just “feel like” painting when the mood struck—he had a process. Get yourself a routine before your life starts feeling like a badly written sitcom with no plot.

3. Hold Yourself Accountable – Track progress, set reminders, and have someone to keep you in check. (Friends who call you out are keepers, not enemies.”)

Here’s the thing: if you don’t hold yourself accountable, you will make the dumbest excuses known to humankind. “I’ll start on Monday” (why, though?). “I deserve a break” (from what?). “I’ll get serious when life calms down” (newsflash: it never will).

The trick? Set reminders. Journal your progress. Tell a friend your goals and ask them to roast you if you slack off. If you can ghost yourself on your own commitments, then your self-love needs serious work. Think of accountability as your personal hype team, but one that also isn’t afraid to tell you when you’re being lazy.

4. Prioritize Your Goals – Make a clear list of what truly matters and work toward those things. (No, perfecting your meme collection is not a top priority.”)

We all have the same 24 hours in a day. Beyoncé does. The guy who plays video games for 12 hours does. The difference? One of them prioritizes. If you find yourself “too busy” but somehow always know what’s trending on social media, you have time—you just don’t use it well.

Ask yourself:

• Will this matter in five years?
• Is this getting me closer to the life I want?
• Would my future self thank me for this choice?

If your biggest daily achievement is memorizing a new viral dance, it’s time to realign your priorities.

5. Just Do It – Waiting for motivation? Forget it. Motivation comes after action, not before. (Your brain is lying to you when it says “just five more minutes.”)

Motivation is a liar. It whispers sweet nothings like, “Just wait until you feel ready.” But let’s be real—if we only did things when we felt like it, we’d all be living in a state of perpetual procrastination, surrounded by unfinished projects and existential dread.

Action breeds motivation, not the other way around. Don’t feel like working out? Start with a five-minute walk. Don’t feel like writing that report? Type one sentence. Momentum is magic. Once you start, it’s easier to keep going. Just trick your brain into beginning—and soon, you’ll be on a roll before it even realizes what’s happening.

Books to Read for Building Discipline

1. Atomic Habits by James Clear – A must-read on how small habits lead to big results. https://amzn.to/41z8ZOH
2. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg – Learn how habits are formed and how to change them. https://amzn.to/4kgzccd
3. Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins – A powerful book on mental toughness and discipline. https://amzn.to/3EYkCpC
4. Deep Work by Cal Newport – Master the art of focus and productivity. https://amzn.to/3QDfN7C
5. The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma – A guide on how waking up early can transform your life. https://amzn.to/3QFzThM

Before you go….

Discipline isn’t about making life miserable—it’s about making life better. The more you show up for yourself, the more you start trusting yourself. And that? That’s where real self-love happens. So start small, stick to a plan, stay accountable, focus on what matters, and stop waiting for motivation. You’ve got this.

Your future self will thank you (and maybe even buy you coffee as a reward).

How do you plan to discipline yourself? do let me know in the comment.

loads of luv

Hannah