There’s a clear line between discipline and lack of control. The difference is in the actions.
When a man lacks discipline and self-control, his behaviors are a dead giveaway. These behaviors don’t just crop up overnight. They’re patterns, habits that have formed over time.
Identifying these behaviors can help you understand his level of discipline and self-control. As someone who has seen it all, I’m here to share 10 behaviors that signal a man has an extremely low level of discipline and self-control.
Let’s get started.
1) Procrastination rules his life
If there’s one behavior that screams lack of discipline and self-control, it’s procrastination.
We all procrastinate from time to time. But when it becomes a way of life, it’s a major red flag. Procrastination is essentially an avoidance strategy – a way of dodging tasks that are difficult, uncomfortable or simply uninteresting.
When a man consistently puts off what he could do today until tomorrow, next week, or even next month, he’s displaying a clear lack of self-control and discipline. It’s more than just laziness. It’s about not being able to manage his time effectively or prioritize his tasks.
If the man you’re observing constantly falls into the trap of procrastination, he’s likely struggling with self-discipline and control. But remember, identifying the problem is the first step to overcoming it.
2) He can’t resist instant gratification
Another big indicator of a lack of discipline and self-control is the inability to resist instant gratification. This is something I’ve personally witnessed.
I had a friend, let’s call him Mark. Mark was always the life of the party. He lived for the moment and never thought about the consequences of his actions. While it made him popular and fun to be around, it also made him unreliable and irresponsible.
He’d spend his entire paycheck on a night out, leaving him broke for the rest of the month. He’d skip work because he didn’t feel like waking up early, only to lose his job later on. His need for immediate satisfaction always overpowered his sense of responsibility and long-term planning.
This inability to delay gratification, to sacrifice short-term pleasure for long-term gain, is a telltale sign of a lack of discipline and self-control. When a man consistently chooses what feels good now over what’s good for him in the long run, it’s a clear sign he’s struggling with self-control.
3) He constantly breaks promises
Promises are a measure of a person’s integrity. When a man routinely breaks them, it’s not only a sign of disrespect towards the person he made the promise to, but also a glaring indicator of poor self-discipline and control.
People with low self-control are more likely to break promises. This is because keeping a promise often requires one to suppress immediate desires in order to fulfill a commitment made in the past.
If you notice a man consistently failing to honor his commitments, it’s likely that he’s grappling with self-discipline. The inability to follow through on one’s word is a classic sign of lacking control over one’s actions and decisions.
4) He avoids responsibility
Avoiding responsibility is another behavior that signals a lack of self-discipline and control.
When a man consistently avoids taking responsibility for his actions or the outcomes of his decisions, it shows a lack of maturity and discipline. It’s easier to deflect blame or ignore the consequences than it is to own up to mistakes and learn from them.
Whether it’s blaming others for his own failures, refusing to step up when needed, or simply not accepting the consequences of his actions, avoiding responsibility is a telltale sign.
If he chooses to run from responsibility rather than face it head-on, he’s showing a serious deficiency in self-control and discipline. It’s a sign that he’s not ready or willing to take charge of his own life and actions.
5) He’s constantly late
Being perpetually late is more than just bad timing. It’s a clear sign of a lack of discipline and self-control.
When a man is constantly late to appointments, meetings, or social events, it shows a disregard for other people’s time. It also suggests he’s unable to manage his own time effectively.
Whether he’s always scrambling at the last minute or simply loses track of time, chronic lateness indicates a lack of discipline. It shows that he struggles with planning ahead and sticking to a schedule, both of which require self-control.
6) He can’t control his emotions
Emotional control is a key aspect of self-discipline. It’s not about suppressing feelings but about managing them in a mature and healthy way.
When a man can’t control his emotions, it’s like watching a ship being tossed about in a storm. One moment he’s calm, the next he’s raging. This unpredictability can be exhausting for those around him, and damaging to his own mental health.
From explosive anger to uncontrollable sadness, if a man is regularly at the mercy of his emotions, it’s a sign that he lacks self-discipline and control. It means he’s yet to learn how to navigate the choppy waters of his feelings, to steer himself towards calm instead of letting the storm take over.
7) He lacks consistency
Consistency is the backbone of discipline and self-control. It’s what separates those who achieve their goals from those who don’t.
I once set a goal to get into better shape. I started off strong, hitting the gym five times a week. But as the weeks went by, I found myself going less and less. I’d make excuses, telling myself I was too tired or too busy. Before I knew it, I was barely going once a week.
It was a hard lesson to learn, but it taught me the importance of consistency. Without it, my initial enthusiasm meant nothing. My lack of discipline was evident in my inconsistency.
If a man lacks consistency in his actions and decisions, it’s a clear sign he struggles with self-discipline and control. Whether it’s sticking to a workout regimen or following through on commitments, inconsistency reveals a lack of discipline and self-control.
8) He’s frequently idle
You might think that having a lot of free time is a sign of a relaxed and carefree life. But when a man is frequently idle, it can actually be a sign of a lack of discipline and self-control.
An idle mind is not always a rested mind. More often, it’s a sign of aimlessness. When a man has no goals, no plans, no projects to keep him engaged, it suggests he lacks the discipline to structure his time effectively.
Being constantly idle can also lead to negative behaviors like excessive daydreaming, overeating, or spending too much time on unproductive activities.
While it might seem like he’s just enjoying his downtime, frequent idleness could be indicating a serious lack of self-discipline and control.
9) He has poor financial habits
Financial habits can be a clear indicator of a person’s level of discipline and self-control.
When a man has poor financial habits, like overspending, not saving, or constantly being in debt, it shows a lack of self-discipline. Managing finances requires planning, restraint, and the ability to delay gratification – all hallmarks of self-control.
Whether he’s always buying the latest gadgets despite not being able to afford them, or he’s living paycheck to paycheck with no savings to speak of, these are signs he’s struggling with discipline.
It’s not about how much money he makes but how he manages what he has. Poor financial habits are a clear sign of low discipline and self-control.
10) He lacks self-awareness
The cornerstone of all discipline and self-control is self-awareness.
When a man lacks self-awareness, he’s unable to recognize his own shortcomings and learn from his mistakes. He’s not conscious of his actions or how they affect others.
Self-awareness is what allows us to check ourselves, to adjust our behaviors, and to make better decisions in the future. Without it, there’s no room for growth or improvement.
If a man isn’t aware of his actions and their consequences, it’s unlikely he’ll change. So if he lacks self-awareness, he’s displaying the ultimate sign of low discipline and self-control.
