Discipline and willpower are vital ingredients for accomplishing our goals and leading a fulfilling life. However, strengthening these qualities can be a challenging endeavor. Fortunately, there are practical and effective strategies available to improve discipline and willpower.
Below, 10 Forbes Human Resources Council members share various approaches and techniques that can help individuals cultivate self-discipline and bolster their willpower. Whether it’s creating effective habits, setting clear goals, practicing mindfulness or harnessing the power of motivation, there are actionable steps that can be implemented in everyday life.
1. Develop And Stick To A Plan
We are continuously distracted by social media and the urge to multitask. To improve discipline, develop a plan and stick to it with consistency. It takes a minimum of 21 days to forge a new habit. Strengthen your discipline by muting social media notifications to minimize distractions and increase focus. – Leigh Yanocha, Knopman Marks Financial Training
2. Put It On The Calendar
In my estimation what gets calendared gets done, including work blocks to get important projects done and time to check in with others. It has helped me focus on getting to my goals without allowing myself to steer off-path. I build in 15 mindful minutes between meetings to grab a tea, stretch or plan for the next meeting. It helps me have mini breaks while staying on track. – Cat Colella-Graham
3. Work With A Partner
I’ve been working with an accountability partner to improve my discipline and willpower, and it’s been really helpful. Having someone to check in with me regularly and hold me accountable has made a big difference. – Bala Sathyanarayanan, Greif Inc.
4. Take One Small Step
Living by the metric of doing one simple thing that aligns with your goals and intentions moves improvement from a larger scope of “discipline and willpower” into a focus on an achievable step forward. Ask yourself what is one simple thing that you can do today? Small moves become major changes over time, creating a journey of change and success. You can find the time to make small changes. – Julie Hankins, NNIT
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5. Create A Dream Board
Humans are driven by visuals. Creating visual representations of our goals and desires helps reinforce discipline. By regularly looking at your dream board, you internalize the belief that achieving your goals is possible, boosting your willpower. Dream boards put those goals within your reach: seeing is believing. – Nick Frey, Avomind
6. Act Intentionally
You can only positively influence an area of your life if you are actively working on it. This means changing goals from “one day I will” or “someday I will” to actual measurable achievements with time-sensitive requirements. It means doing the work to commit to seeing things through. – Tiersa Smith-Hall, Impactful Imprints, Training & Consulting
7. Embrace The Two-Minute Rule
Juggling focus amidst meetings, distractions and competing priorities was challenging. Then, I embraced the two-minute rule: if a task can be completed in two minutes, I do it immediately. Not only did it minimize my procrastination, but it also helped me handle larger tasks by partitioning them into two-minute parts. My discipline and focus improved remarkably, making me more productive and satisfied. – Siddharth Sharma, JP Morgan Chase & Co.
8. Start A Regular Fitness Regimen
A consistent fitness routine like yoga helps me improve my discipline and willpower. As I conquer new goals in my workout, I become more resilient and motivated to tackle challenges elsewhere. – Ahva Sadeghi, Symba
9. Give Yourself Grace
Be kinder to yourself when you’re undisciplined. I’m a deadline person; that rush drives me like no other. But I’m also human, and keeping up that pace all the time is unrealistic. When I reach a point of distraction or lack of willpower, I lean into it. I take a break. Giving myself grace helps me achieve more in the long run and is much more enjoyable. – Ursula Mead, InHerSight
10. Use Change Management Gamification
Personally, I leverage technology and gamification by utilizing apps and wearable devices. Individuals can track their progress, and receive rewards for meeting milestones. This gamified approach taps into our natural inclination for competition and achievement, making the process of self-discipline more engaging and enjoyable. This boosts motivation and drives sustained behavioral changes. – Cally Stanphill, PainTEQ LLC
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