Discipline isn’t something you’re born with. It’s a habit you cultivate, a muscle you build, a choice you make every single day.
Becoming more disciplined can start with simple morning routines. The morning sets the tone for the rest of your day.
By doing certain things every morning, you can train your mind and body to be more disciplined. And guess what? I’ve got a list of 10 of these things that can help you on your journey towards discipline.
In this article, we’ll be exploring those habits and getting you on track to a more disciplined life.
Let’s get started.
1) Start your day early
The early bird catches the worm, as the saying goes. And it’s no different when it comes to cultivating discipline.
Consider this: Most successful people swear by the power of rising early. Why? It’s a quiet time, free from distractions and interruptions.
Starting your day early gives you a head start on everyone else. It’s a chunk of time you can use for yourself, to set your intentions for the day, to work on your personal goals, or simply to enjoy a peaceful cup of coffee.
By making the choice to rise before the sun, you’re already making a disciplined decision. Right off the bat, you’re demonstrating to yourself that you’re in control of your day, not the other way around.
2) Develop a morning routine
Creating a morning routine has been a game-changer for me. It’s like setting the stage for a successful day, every single day.
I used to wake up and immediately check my emails or social media. It was an erratic start to the day and it left me feeling scattered and disoriented.
Then, I decided to make a change. I created a routine that starts with a glass of water and a quick 5-minute meditation. Then I do some light stretching, followed by reviewing my to-do list for the day.
This routine has helped me to start my day on a positive note, focused and ready for whatever comes my way. It’s been instrumental in helping me build self-discipline.
Having a set routine means you don’t have to make decisions first thing in the morning, which can be exhausting and lead to decision fatigue later in the day. Instead, you have a clear plan of action, one that guides you towards discipline each morning.
3) Fuel your body with a healthy breakfast
We’ve all heard it before: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And there’s a good reason for this.
Eating a balanced breakfast provides your body with the energy it needs to function properly. Skipping breakfast can lead to decreased cognitive performance, including impaired memory and concentration.
Additionally, research shows that people who eat breakfast regularly have better overall eating habits, are less likely to be overweight, and have lower rates of diet-related diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
Start your day off right by fueling your body with a nutritious breakfast. It’s a disciplined choice that will pay off in more ways than one.
4) Engage in physical activity
Starting your day with some form of physical activity is a great way to boost your discipline.
Whether it’s a jog around the block, a quick yoga session, or even just some stretching exercises, moving your body in the morning can help clear your mind and set a positive tone for the day.
Engaging in physical activity requires discipline itself, but it also helps to build it. As you push through the discomfort of exercise, you’re training yourself to do hard things, to persevere even when you’d rather not.
Make it a habit to move your body every morning. It might be tough at first, but with time, it’ll become a part of your daily routine that you wouldn’t want to miss.
5) Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment. It’s about tuning into your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, rather than letting your mind wander to the past or future.
Practicing mindfulness in the morning can help set a calm, focused tone for the rest of your day. It can be as simple as savoring your morning coffee, really tasting it and appreciating the moment, or it could be a formal meditation practice.
By making mindfulness a part of your morning routine, you’re teaching yourself discipline. You’re training your mind to focus on one thing at a time, rather than letting it flit from one thought to another.
In a world full of distractions, this ability to focus is a powerful tool for self-discipline. So start your day with a dose of mindfulness and watch how it impacts your discipline throughout the day.
6) Express gratitude
Starting your mornings with expressions of gratitude can set a positive tone for the rest of the day. It shifts your focus from what you lack, to appreciating what you already have.
Gratitude may seem like an emotion, but expressing it is an action. It requires you to pause, reflect on your blessings, and acknowledge them. This act in itself is a display of discipline.
I’ve found that this simple practice of gratitude has made me more content, more optimistic, and yes, more disciplined. It’s reminded me that discipline isn’t just about striving for more, but also about appreciating what’s already there.
Tomorrow morning, try jotting down three things you’re grateful for. It doesn’t have to be grand; even the smallest blessings count. This small act could be the first step towards a more disciplined mindset.
7) Prioritize your tasks
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that discipline isn’t about doing everything; it’s about doing what’s important.
In the past, I used to start my day attempting to tackle a never-ending to-do list. I’d jump from task to task, feeling like I was always behind. It was exhausting and ineffective.
Then, I started prioritizing my tasks. Every morning, I now identify the top three things that absolutely need to get done that day. These are the tasks that align with my goals and add the most value.
This change has made a world of difference. Not only am I more productive, but I also feel more in control of my time and less overwhelmed.
8) Allow downtime
Here’s something you might not expect: one of the secrets to discipline is actually allowing yourself some downtime, especially in the morning.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that discipline means being “on” all the time. But that’s not sustainable, and it can lead to burnout.
Even in the midst of a structured morning routine, it’s important to carve out some time for relaxation. This could be reading a book, listening to music, or just sitting quietly with a cup of coffee.
This downtime isn’t wasted time. It’s an opportunity to recharge, to gather your thoughts, and prepare for the day ahead. It’s a disciplined way to ensure that you’re not just running on adrenaline, but actually taking care of your mental health.
Don’t forget to give yourself some breathing room each morning. You might find that this built-in downtime helps you maintain your discipline in the long run.
9) Avoid digital distractions
In today’s digital age, our phones, tablets, and computers are constantly vying for our attention. It’s far too easy to start your day by reaching for your phone and getting sucked into the vortex of emails, social media, and news.
But this habit can scatter your focus and set a reactive tone for the day. Instead of starting your day on your own terms, you’re allowing external factors to dictate your mood and priorities.
One of the most disciplined things you can do is to delay checking your digital devices in the morning. Give yourself a buffer of time to wake up, do your morning routine, and set your intentions for the day.
By avoiding digital distractions first thing in the morning, you’re taking control of your day and setting yourself up for a more focused, proactive, and disciplined day.
10) Be consistent
The key to building discipline through your morning routine is consistency. It’s about showing up every day, even when you don’t feel like it. Especially when you don’t feel like it.
Discipline is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. And the stronger it gets, the easier it becomes to make disciplined choices.
So commit to your morning routine. Stick to it, day in and day out. There will be days when it’s hard, when you’re tired, or when you just don’t feel like it. But those are the days when it’s most important to push through.
Because at the end of the day, discipline isn’t about any one single choice. It’s about the choices you make consistently, over time. That’s what shapes who you are and who you become. So choose wisely, and choose consistently.