Not so long ago, as an entrepreneur, I thought discipline meant grinding harder and squeezing every ounce of productivity out of my day.

But as I delved deeper into mindfulness and the habits of successful people, I realized that discipline is as much about saying “no” as it is about saying “yes.”

When we start cutting out the things that drain our focus and energy, we make room for the things that truly matter. And that’s when we see the real growth.

If you’re serious about leveling up your discipline, start saying “no” to these seven things. It might just change everything for you, as it did for me.

1) Instant gratification

We live in a world of instant gratification. Want to know something? Google it. Hungry? Order food online. Bored? Watch Netflix.

The ease of getting what we want, when we want, is making us less disciplined.

Saying “no” to instant gratification can be an arduous task, especially because it’s so deeply ingrained in our daily routines. But trust me, the power of delay can have a transformative impact on your life.

This is well-backed by experts, but perhaps most famously by Standford professor Walter Mischel’s marshmallow test, which found that delaying gratification is critical for a successful life, predicting higher SAT scores, better responses to stress, and lower likelihood of obesity. 

By postponing immediate satisfaction, you can teach your brain to wait and work for what truly matters. This not only fosters discipline but also enhances your willpower and self-control.

2) Procrastination

We’ve all been there. The task is daunting, the deadline is far away, and Netflix just added your favorite show’s new season.

Procrastination can be tempting, but it’s a discipline killer.

Let me share a personal experience. A few years ago, I was working on a book about mindfulness. The deadline was months away, and let me tell you, the temptation to procrastinate was strong.

“I could always write tomorrow,” I’d think. And then tomorrow became the day after, and then the day after that.

It wasn’t until I hit the two-week mark before my deadline that I realized how much work I still had left. Those final days were a blur of stress, anxiety, and frantic writing.

That’s when I learned my lesson. Procrastination is not your friend; it’s a discipline destroyer in disguise.

Today, when that urge to delay comes knocking, I remind myself of those stressful two weeks, and instantly, the temptation fades. Remember, discipline is about taking control now, not later.

As Picasso wisely said: “Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.”

3) A bloated ego

In this era of selfies and social media, it’s hard not to get caught up in the whirlwind of ego. We often find ourselves striving for validation from others, seeking likes and shares.

But let me tell you, this constant need for affirmation can be a major roadblock on your path to discipline.

Ego can make us complacent. It can convince us we’re already the best, so why bother trying harder? It can make us resistant to feedback and blind to our own faults.

I learned this the hard way, and I’ve dedicated much of my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, to this exact issue. 

It’s not easy to control our ego, but once we do, it opens the door to true discipline.

So next time you find yourself striving for another ‘like’ or ‘share’, take a step back. Ask yourself: am I doing this for myself or for my ego?

Saying “no” to your ego allows you to focus on self-improvement rather than social validation.

4) Multitasking

Most people think that multitasking is an efficient way to get things done.

But let me tell you, it’s not. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

Psychological studies have shown that our brains aren’t designed to handle multiple tasks at the same time. Some experts believe it can reduce our productivity by up to 40 percent. Yes, 40 percent!

What we perceive as multitasking is actually our brain switching rapidly between tasks, which leads to decreased productivity and increased errors. 

By saying “no” to multitasking, you’re allowing your brain to focus on one task at a time and perform it to the best of its abilities. This not only improves the quality of your work but also helps you develop discipline by focusing on one task until it’s completed.

5) Perfectionism

This may sound counter-intuitive, but perfectionism can actually deter your path to discipline.

When you’re constantly striving for perfection, you end up setting unrealistic goals for yourself. This can lead to excessive stress and disappointment when you inevitably fall short of these impossible standards.

Discipline is about consistent progress, not perfect results. It’s about setting realistic goals and steadily working towards them. It’s about accepting that mistakes and setbacks are part of the process and using them as opportunities to learn and grow.

6) Comparison

In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with images of other people’s successes, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap. You see your peers achieving their goals, and you can’t help but think, “Why am I not there yet?”

But here’s the thing: everyone’s journey is different.

We all have our own unique paths with individual timelines, strengths, and challenges. Comparing yourself to others only leads to self-doubt and discouragement.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, start comparing yourself to who you were yesterday. Are you making progress? Are you growing and learning?

That’s what truly matters.

When you say “no” to comparison, you’re saying “yes” to self-improvement and personal growth. And that’s what discipline is all about.

7) Excessive comfort

It’s human nature to seek comfort. We naturally gravitate towards the familiar, the easy, and the safe. But if you really want to become more disciplined, you need to start stepping out of your comfort zone.

Comfort can lead to complacency. It can make us stagnant and resistant to change.

But discipline requires growth, and growth requires discomfort.

Final thoughts: It’s all about choice

At the heart of discipline lies one fundamental truth: it’s all about choice.

These choices might not be easy; in fact, they’re often the harder path to take. But the rewards they bring in terms of personal growth, self-improvement, and a disciplined life are immeasurable.

I hope you found some value in this post. Here’s to a more disciplined you!