Five Proven Ways to Gain Self-Discipline and Achieve Your Goals

While numerous essential qualities can contribute to your happiness and achievements, there is only one that will ensure long-term success in all aspects of your life, and that is self-discipline. Self-discipline is the number one trait that you need to accomplish your goals. Self-discipline is a learned behavior that requires practice and repetition. Here are five proven ways you can gain more self-discipline and achieve your goals.

#1 – Remove Temptations
Removing all distractions and temptations from your environment is a crucial step when trying to improve your self-discipline. Set yourself up for success by getting rid of the bad influences in your life. If you’re trying to eat healthier, get rid of the junk food. If you want to improve your focus at work, remove the clutter from your desk and turn your cell phone off.

#2 – Eat Healthy Foods and Eat Regularly
Numerous studies have shown that low blood sugar can result in your resolve becoming weakened. When you’re hungry, your ability to concentrate suffers because your brain isn’t able to function at its highest potential. Not only does hunger make it challenging to focus, but it also makes you pessimistic.

#3 – Don’t Wait for it to “Feel Right”
For you to improve your self-discipline, you have to change up your usual routine. This can be extremely uncomfortable and awkward, and your brain will resist the change in favor of what it has already been programmed to do. You need to acknowledge that it will take a while for the new routine to feel right, but you need to keep moving forward if you want to improve your self-discipline.

#4 – Schedule Breaks and Reward Yourself
Giving yourself zero wiggle room will increase your chances of failure. While practicing your self-control, be sure to give yourself breaks, and reward yourself for your accomplishments. Improving your self-discipline can be hard, so reward yourself for your efforts to keep your motivation high.

#5 – Forgive Yourself
Implementing a new way of thinking isn’t always going to go according to your plan. You will have successes and failures. The key to improving your self-discipline is continuing to move forward, even in the face of setbacks and challenges. Forgive yourself and get back to moving forward. The longer you’re off your game, the harder it is going to be to continue moving in a positive direction.

These five proven methods for gaining self-discipline will help you to break bad habits, establish good ones and improve your self-control. Having improved self-discipline will allow you to live a freer life by helping you make healthier choices.