Discipline isn’t something you’re born with—it’s a behavior you cultivate.

I’ve learned that discipline requires more than just willpower. It also means identifying and letting go of certain habits that may be holding you back.

Becoming a disciplined person is about making better choices, and sometimes, it’s also about saying no. No to the behaviors that distract us, drain us, or keep us stuck in our comfort zones.

In my journey to become more disciplined, I’ve identified 9 behaviors you need to bid farewell to.

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at these habits, and discuss how letting them go can help us become truly disciplined individuals. 

Let’s get started. 

1) Procrastination

Discipline and procrastination are natural enemies. They’re like oil and water; they simply don’t mix.

Procrastination is the habit of delaying or postponing things that you need to do. It’s easy to fall into this trap. You might think, “I’ll just do it later,” or “I work better under pressure.”

But let me tell you, I’ve been there. And from personal experience, I can vouch that it’s a slippery slope.

Postponing tasks doesn’t make them go away; it just piles them up for future-you to deal with. And more often than not, future-you isn’t very happy about it.

To become truly disciplined, you need to say goodbye to procrastination. Start tackling tasks as they come, instead of pushing them down the road. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

Discipline isn’t about doing the work when you feel like it; it’s about doing the work when it needs to be done.

2) Attachment to comfort

As an expert in Buddhism, I’ve learned a lot about the concept of attachment and its impact on our lives.

In Buddhism, it’s believed that attachment is one of the primary causes of suffering. And when it comes to discipline, attachment often takes the form of being too comfortable.

Comfort is easy. It’s familiar. It’s safe. But if you want to grow, you need to step out of your comfort zone.

The path to becoming truly disciplined involves facing challenges head-on and embracing discomfort. It’s about breaking free from the shackles of your comfort zone and venturing into the unknown.

Buddhism teaches us that everything is temporary and constantly changing. So, embrace that change. Treat discomfort as an opportunity for growth rather than something to be avoided.

The road to discipline isn’t paved with fluffy cushions and warm blankets. It’s a rocky path with bumps and turns, but it leads to a place of self-improvement and personal growth.

3) Lack of consistency

I’ll be honest, consistency was a tough one for me. It’s easy to start something new with enthusiasm, but maintaining that momentum over time? That’s where the real challenge lies.

Becoming truly disciplined means sticking to your commitments, even when the initial excitement has faded. It’s about showing up every day and putting in the work, regardless of how you feel.

Consistency is key because it builds habits. And habits, once formed, require less effort to maintain.

It’s not about grand gestures or overnight transformations. Discipline is built through small, consistent actions over time.

If you’re like me and struggle with consistency, it’s time to say goodbye to that behavior. Start small, build habits and keep going. You’ll be amazed at the progress you can make.

4) Ego-driven actions

As a Buddhist, one principle I’ve come to understand deeply is that the ego can be our greatest enemy.

The ego tends to inflate our self-importance, making us believe we’re always right and everyone else is wrong. It makes us defensive when criticized and complacent when praised. This egocentric view can seriously hinder our discipline.

In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve into how Buddhist principles can help us overcome this ego-driven mindset.

Becoming truly disciplined involves setting the ego aside and embracing humility. It means accepting our mistakes, learning from them, and constantly striving for improvement.

Embrace humility, remain open to learning, and watch how your discipline flourishes.

5) Over-planning

Now, this might sound counterintuitive. After all, isn’t planning a good thing?

Yes, it is. But like all good things, too much of it can be detrimental.

Over-planning is when we spend excessive time strategizing and preparing for tasks, often to the point where we don’t leave enough time to actually do them. This is a behavior I’ve seen many fall into, myself included.

The truth is, no plan is perfect. And while planning is essential, it’s equally important to take action. Because without action, even the best plans are just daydreams.

Becoming a disciplined person requires a balance between planning and doing. So if you’re stuck in the cycle of over-planning, it’s time to say goodbye to that behavior.

The key is to plan effectively but act decisively. That’s the sweet spot for discipline.

6) Ignoring the present moment

One of the core teachings of Buddhism is mindfulness, which simply means being fully present and engaged in the here and now.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. We’re often so focused on our goals and future plans that we forget to live in the present moment.

But here’s the thing: Discipline isn’t just about achieving future goals; it’s also about being committed to the present task at hand.

Ignoring the present moment can lead to half-hearted efforts and lack of focus. And let’s face it, you can’t be truly disciplined if you’re not fully engaged in what you’re doing.

If you want to become more disciplined, it’s time to say goodbye to this behavior. Start embracing mindfulness. Be fully present and engaged in whatever you’re doing, and you’ll see a significant improvement in your discipline.

7) Neglecting self-care

This one hits close to home for me. In my quest for discipline, I often found myself neglecting self-care.

I thought that by pushing myself harder and sacrificing sleep or relaxation, I was being disciplined. But I was wrong.

Neglecting self-care isn’t discipline; it’s self-destruction. You can’t maintain discipline if you’re burnt out, stressed, or unwell.

True discipline involves taking care of your physical and mental health. It’s about maintaining a balanced lifestyle that includes rest, relaxation, and nourishment.

Nurturing yourself isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for maintaining discipline and productivity.

8) Chasing perfection

Now, here’s another counterintuitive one. Chasing perfection sounds like a disciplined person’s trait, right?

Well, not quite.

Perfectionism is a double-edged sword. While it can drive us to improve, it can also hinder our progress when we get too caught up in the details and lose sight of the bigger picture.

In my own experience, striving for perfection often led to procrastination and burnout. It’s easy to fall into the trap of not starting or not finishing a task because it’s not ‘perfect’.

But here’s the truth: Perfection is an illusion. It’s an unreachable standard that can do more harm than good.

Becoming truly disciplined means understanding that progress is more important than perfection. It’s about doing your best and accepting that it won’t always be perfect.

Embrace the beauty of imperfection and focus on making progress instead. That’s true discipline.

9) Holding onto negativity

Buddhism teaches us the importance of letting go, especially when it comes to negativity.

Holding onto negative emotions like anger, resentment, or self-doubt can cloud our judgment and hinder our discipline. It’s like trying to drive with the handbrake on; it slows us down and drains our energy.

In my journey with Buddhism, I’ve learned that true discipline involves managing our emotions effectively. It’s about acknowledging our feelings without letting them control our actions.

Letting go of negativity doesn’t mean ignoring or suppressing our emotions. It means accepting them, understanding them, and then moving forward without letting them hold us back.

If you’ve been holding onto negativity, it’s time to say goodbye to that behavior. Embrace the Buddhist principle of letting go and watch how your discipline flourishes.

Conclusion

Becoming a truly disciplined person isn’t about rigidly adhering to a set of rules. It’s about letting go of the behaviors that hold us back and cultivating habits that propel us forward.

Remember, discipline is a journey, not a destination. It’s about progress, not perfection. And it’s about making choices that align with our values and goals, even when it’s tough.

I delve deeper into these principles in my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego. If you found this article helpful and want to explore further, I invite you to check out the book.

Here’s to your journey towards becoming a more disciplined person. I believe in you. And remember—every step you take, no matter how small, is progress. Keep going!