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15 Simple Habits That Built My Self-Discipline

For years I lacked discipline—particularly with my goals.

I knew what I wanted and I set intentions high. But there was one problem: my follow-through was weak. Like many people I’d get excited, dip my toe in… then bail at the first sign of resistance.

I’d lie to myself saying I had no time. No… I knew the truth. I was flaky. I based my actions around motivation and motivation is fleeting. Some weeks I was on fire. Other weeks I barely scraped by doing the basics.

Looking back, it wasn’t a single moment that changed me. Actually it was kinda embarrassing how small my first steps were. I grew tired of starting the same cycle again and again: Make goals → Break promises to myself → Try again with renewed excitement like more passion will magically solve the issue.

Then I finally asked myself:

What if I just build good habits?
What if I get disciplined by starting tiny?

Here’s what happened.

If you struggle with discipline—I know you do—especially when it comes to chasing your goals, let me assure you, you’re not broken. You don’t need a “better mindset.” You need simple habits that make consistency feel normal.

Below are the exact 15 habits that helped me build discipline in every area of my life. How I practiced each one, and how you can too.

You’ll notice that some of these habits aren’t about your goal directly. They’re just good life habits that helped me build the skill of showing up. That’s because discipline in one area will spill over into others. You just have to get started.

1. I made my bed every morning

Okay, hear me out. This wasn’t as cheesy as it sounds.

When I first started building habits, my mornings were rough. I woke up tired, reached for my phone and distracted myself “just for five minutes.” Before I knew it I fell behind.

One day I made my bed as soon as I sat up. No thinking. Automatically. Now, I know what you’re thinking: bed-making doesn’t take discipline. But wait—hear me finish.

It didn’t have to be perfect. But making my bed created a little spark of win in my day. One that didn’t matter how I felt. Once I lay in that bed at night I saw the results. It took me less than one minute, but it trained me to follow through on small tasks.

Give it a try. But here’s my advice: Don’t go hardcore. You don’t need hospital corners. Just straighten your bed until you feel… Yep. That’s it. You did what you said you would.

2. I chose one daily “must-do” goal and treated it like brushing teeth

I used to congratulate myself for making huge to-do lists and feeling accomplished just by reading them. And guess what happened every evening? I felt drained and defeated because I never touched the important items.

So I stopped making lists for fun. And I gave myself one “non-negotiable” goal every day.

That goal was literally just one thing I wanted to accomplish no matter what. And if I didn’t do that thing, I gave myself permission to complete nothing else on my list.

You should try this too. First, decide on your ONE goal for the day. It should be small enough that you can do it even if your whole day crumbles around you. Now, guard that. Protect that goal like it’s your job.

Hell. Make it your job.

3. I used the two-minute trick to conquer procrastination

Trust me, I wasn’t lazy. I just hated starting…

When I procrastinated in the past, it wasn’t because I was “lazy.” I hated to start new things because they felt like mountains in my head. As soon as I gave them any thought, my brain would magnify why that task was terrible and difficult.

So how did I get over this? The two-minute trick.

Here’s how it works: When you have a task that feels big, allow yourself to do it for two minutes ONLY. Then do one tiny action related to the task.

It’ll look something like this:

Open the word document → Write one sentence → Take one small action.

What happened to me most days? After two minutes I never wanted to stop. Because reality is, starting is the REAL challenge.

Your brain loves big intimidating tasks because it can use them as an excuse not to start. Give your brain one tiny entry point and it loses its power.

If you struggle with procrastination, trick your brain with tiny requests.

4. I eliminated one distraction I knew was stealing my time

It wasn’t me who lacked discipline—it was my phone.

The biggest reason I used to say I “didn’t have time” was because I gave it away. My phone felt like my friend, until I realized my phone was my enemy.

How did I look at so much stupid stuff? News. Social media. YouTube. Hours would disappear and I’d wonder why I was behind on my goals.

Here’s what I did to fight my distractions:

  • First I turned off all notifications.

  • Then I stopped leaving my phone next to me when working.

  • And finally, I deleted Reddit.

You don’t need to go full hermit mode like me. But find your biggest distraction. Then make it difficult to use.

Put your phone in another room. Log out of Facebook. Use app limits. Create friction for bad habits and you’ll have fewer excuses to avoid discipline.

However, I have written a post about how to stop being distracted by your phone.

5. I created a simple morning routine I was actually going to repeat

Resolutions failed me, but routines didn’t.

When trying to build discipline I used to oversleep my mornings trying to “sleep off my resolutions.” Waiting till the last second to “figure out today.”

When I broke down my morning into tiny habits? BAM. Suddenly my days flew by.

If you want a no-BS morning routine that sticks, try this:

  • Drink water

  • Make my bed

  • Brush my teeth

  • Look at my ONE goal for the day

Boom. Done. That’s it.

Again, your morning routine doesn’t need to be impressive. It just needs to be repeatable.

6. I planned my next day the night before so I could wake up motivated

Waking up used to be a brainstorming session.

Instead of planning my day the night before, I used to “wing it.” Wake up then immediately start thinking about “what I should do.”

But if I was being honest with myself, my mornings usually looked like this:

Checking messages → Responding to friends → Random scrolling → Ugh… Why haven’t I worked on ____

If you do this too, stop waiting for motivation to show up. You’re never going to “feel inspired” to do your work. So plan your day at night.

What this looks like for me:

Every night before bed I write down:

  • The 3 most important tasks I want to accomplish tomorrow

  • My ONE “must-do” task

  • One thing I want to continue daily (reading, walking, etc.)

Doing this helped me wake up clear on what I wanted to do. And when my morning motivation wasn’t there, I was prepared.

Start a simple planning habit and watch your mornings transform.

7. I started keeping small promises to myself

Who was I trying to fool?

For years I made big promises to myself like, “Tomorrow I WILL be consistent.”

That sounds great… until I got off track. And then I’d be back at square one feeling like crap.

Instead I started making tiny promises that I could keep.

Like:

  • Wake up at 7 AM → Becoming: Wake up at 6:30 every morning

  • Read 10 pages a day → Becoming: Read one chapter of a book

  • Do 20 push-ups → Becoming: Do 5 push-ups a day

You should try easing into new habits too. Make small promises that EVEN on your worst days, you can keep. You’ll thank yourself later.

8. I practiced saying “no” to cravings

Impulse bought my life a ticket.

If I “felt” like watching Netflix, I watched Netflix. If I “felt” like eating junk, I ate junk. Feel like working out? Um… yeah, no.

But not anymore.

Here’s how I stopped saying “yes” to every whim:

When I felt like giving in to a craving, I waited 10 minutes. Sometimes I told myself I could do it later… but not now.

Guess what happened most times? Nothing. The urge went away.

Other times, it didn’t. But telling yourself you can delay anything for at least 10 minutes is powerful. You’re not denying yourself instant gratification. You’re reminding yourself that you don’t NEED to give in to every craving.

Learn this skill and watch your discipline grow.

9. I tracked my habits so I could see my progress

If you feel like you’re failing, start keeping track.

I didn’t think I was improving until I saw my streak grow.

The best way I learned to stay disciplined? Tracking my habits.

All I did was put a big “X” on my calendar any time I:

  • Completed my ONE daily goal

  • Did a habit I wanted to track (walking, reading, etc.)

Trust me, it felt insanely good to see all those X’s stacking up. My mind respected what I could accomplish when I stuck to my habits instead of thinking I was failing.

Get a notebook or download an app. Hell—tape a calendar to your wall. But make sure you’re tracking your progress.

Related: 42 Healthy Habits To Track Daily To Improve Your life

10. I did one “tiny hard thing” each day

The slightest bit of discomfort used to scare me.

The reason I never pushed myself? Comfort was my lifestyle.

Not anymore. There are now small habits that force me to do “hard things” daily.

Like:

  • Sending that email I’ve been avoiding

  • Doing 5 push-ups when I don’t feel like it

  • Cleaning up as I go instead of later

  • Starting work WITHOUT feeling motivated

Even writing this blog post felt like a tiny hard thing at first.

If you want to build discipline, start telling yourself you can handle small discomfort. You’ll feel yourself evolve into a new identity:

“The type of person who finishes what they start.”
“The type of person who runs towards resistance.”

Here’s your tiny hard thing for today: Think of one small task that scares you right now. Then do it.

No joke. Do it.

11. I changed the way I spoke to myself

How you talk to yourself reinforces your habits.

When I looked in the mirror, this is what I heard:

  • “I’ll never change.”

  • “I lack discipline.”

  • “No matter how hard I try, I can’t focus.”

Sound familiar?

We all talk to ourselves in a way that supports our habits. If you want better discipline, stop praising yourself for being inconsistent.

Start saying things like:

  • “I’m learning how to become consistent.”

  • “I’m the type of person who follows through.”

  • “I’m someone who always finishes what he starts.”

You’ll probably hate hearing yourself say those things. I did too. But your actions will meet your words.

Talk to yourself like you’re the person you’re responsible for helping.

12. I stacked the environment in my favor

I couldn’t trust myself to always “make good choices.”

So I used my environment.

  • I stopped leaving my phone by my bed

  • I threw out junk food

  • I left my workout clothes next to me

  • I placed books where I’d see them

If you want discipline, don’t rely on willpower. Shape your surroundings. Remove the heavy lifting and watch your habits transform.

13. I celebrated consistency, not perfection

Letting perfect be the enemy of good was destroying me.

I used to only feel proud when I crushed my entire to-do list. That made me miserable because nobody is perfect every day.

Now, as long as I complete my ONE “must-do” task, I allow myself to feel proud.

Everything else is bonus.

Don’t wait for perfect days to celebrate your discipline. Celebrate every win.

If you’re still struggling to stay consistent with your habits, here is my previous post about how to stick to your habits. 

14. I stopped letting small mistakes defeat me

This used to be my inner voice:

“See? You never change.”
“You’re lazy.”
“You’ll never amount to anything.”

That voice kept me stuck.

Now, when I mess up, I restart.

The quickest way to build discipline isn’t by never failing—it’s by never letting small mistakes derail you for long.

If you’re fond of making mistakes, here is my previous post about how to stop making the same mistake. 

15. I reflected on my day before sleeping

No reflection meant no improvement.

So every night I asked:

  • What did I do well today?

  • Where did I get distracted?

  • What will I do better tomorrow?

That’s it.

Reflection taught me how I actually live instead of how I think I live.

Where to Start If You Feel Overwhelmed

When I started getting disciplined, I felt like I had to do everything at once. I didn’t.

I started with three habits:

  • I made my bed

  • I chose one daily goal

  • I planned tomorrow at night

If you start nothing else on this list, start there.

Once those three become normal, you’ll be itching to add more.

Also let me know what your current goal is—fitness, making money, studying, business, or mental health—and I’ll email you the top 5 habits from this list you should focus on first.


ONWE DAMIAN
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