Folks struggling with procrastination often find themselves at odds with sticking to plans or meeting goals.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to change that behavior, especially if you tend to drift off in thought or have trouble taking action.

Self-discipline is key to taking the right action and achieving goals, whether personal or career-wise.

But how do you master this essential skill for success?

Here are 5 habits to help you regain control of your mind and better orchestrate your actions.

1) Getting rid of junk

Those who’ve nailed the art of self-discipline have a talent for kicking distractions to the curb and clearing out the junk—be it junk food, junk thoughts, or junk time.

It’s all part of their game plan to smash their set goals.

Take a look at social media, for instance.

The average internet user spends a whopping 2.5 hours there every day.

Now, imagine the chaos of wasting time on social media costs for those who love to procrastinate or easily get sidetracked. It’s a recipe for disaster.

But not for the self-disciplined bunch. 

They grasp the importance of staying focused and the true worth of time when it comes to getting things done. 

They’re not just about setting priorities; they’re masters of self-control, putting a hold on distractions of all kinds when they have a finish line to meet.

Be it the short-lived delights served up by apps, the allure of junk food like a mouthwatering burger, or useless negative self-talk. 

They know they’re on a mission, and getting rid of things that don’t serve them toward that mission can be done with.

2) Planning and prioritizing

Do you know what sets disciplined folks apart? They can plan ahead. 

But hey, their planning isn’t just about scribbling a to-do list that ends up in the trash.

Nope, it’s also about sticking to it by figuring out what needs to be tackled first and putting in persistent effort every day to meet those tasks.

They get it. They’re being proactive, and it pays off big time.

Whether it’s sorting out their daily routines like waking up early or prepping healthy snacks for work, or dreaming up bigger goals like saving up for that dream car or traveling the world, disciplined folks know that mapping out their time, thinking ahead, and focusing their energy on specific goals will get them there faster and smoother.

Once you begin writing things down and actively working on them day after day, they’ll eventually become habits that your future self will thank you for.

And if you’re anything like me – someone who meticulously plans everything but struggles to take that initial leap – I’ve got some advice.

First things first: stop overthinking.

At the start of the year, I made a promise to myself to make better use of my mornings.

As an early riser, I often wasted time in bed, procrastinating getting ready for work until the last possible moment.

This left me feeling anxious and rushed, scrambling through my morning routine and fighting through traffic.

I noticed that I’d immediately start scrolling through Instagram or checking the latest news the moment I woke up, losing a precious hour to mindless tasks.

To tackle this, I began by simply focusing on getting out of bed.

Once I removed that initial hurdle, the rest of my morning routine fell into place effortlessly according to plan.

3) Practicing self-awareness

Plato said, “The first and best victory is to conquer self,” and how do you do that? 

By being mindful of your thought processes. 

You know, self-disciplined folks are impressive.

They stick to their plans and keep their promises, but here’s the kicker: they also know when they’re not at their best.

They recognize those moments of weakness and find ways to amp up their self-control and motivation to power through.

Now, picture someone on a diet.

How often does that little voice in their head coax them into grabbing a donut because they “deserve it”?

And how many times do they have to shut that voice down that nags them to give up for now and start over the next week? 

Once self-disciplined folks clock onto their thought patterns, they’re better equipped to handle that negative self-talk that lures them to give up or lose faith in themselves.

They keep encouraging themselves, reminding themselves they’re doing great, and to keep pushing forward.

4) Managing their time

Another great habit of self-disciplined folks is managing their time effectively. 

Sure, kicking out distractions during the day like social media and gossip frees up ample time, but the real magic happens when they make the most of it.

They slice up their day into blocks for work, chowing down on good food, squeezing in a workout, and pampering themselves with self-care.

Although we all have limited hours in a day, effective time management isn’t just about finishing more tasks in the day.

It’s about keeping that sweet work-life balance intact and making sure you don’t end up drowning in responsibilities.

Now, let’s be real.

Sticking to a schedule isn’t a walk in the park, especially if you’re the type to procrastinate until the last minute. 

But hey, don’t sweat it!

There are tons of apps out there nowadays that can help you get your time organized and stop those deadlines from sneaking up on you.

Also, having someone to hold you accountable can be a game-changer.

They’ll cheer you on and make sure you’re staying on track with those tasks you’ve set your mind to.

5) Calculated decision-making

People with high self-discipline leave no room for impulsive or emotional decisions but rather stick to their plan, making smart decisions, big or small, to get where they want to be.

Now, remember the golden rule of never grocery shopping when you’re starving?

Well, that’s basically the mantra for these self-disciplined champs in every area of life.

Picture this: you’re feeling down, upset, or just riding an emotional rollercoaster.

That’s when your self-control might take a little vacation.

Suddenly, you’re tempted to splurge on a shopping spree, even if your budget’s screaming for mercy.

And that’s exactly why self-disciplined folks don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment.

When the emotional storm passes and the skies clear, that’s when they lay down the law. 

That’s how they end up honoring their self-promises.