6 Traits of Wildly Self Disciplined People
Research says these are the traits that promote discipline.
Discipline, willpower, self-control is the bedrock of entrepreneurs and hustle culture, but what characteristics do these individuals share? What separates the average from the extraordinary? It’s self-discipline.
I’ve studied discipline for six years, and I owe a lot of my success in my personal and private life to the habits I’ve developed because of that research.
I don’t have all the answers, but my research has made one truth clear to me;
“Discipline isn’t one thing”
It’s a cultivated series of characteristics and behaviors that promote a balanced life. Highly disciplined people aren’t simply better at resisting their desires or getting more work done.
If you want to become more disciplined, consider investing time developing in these six characteristics.
They Act Like Friends
Highly disciplined people aren’t just compassionate with others; they treat themselves with the same level of kindness.
Imagine one of your friends is passed over for a promotion, they’re visibly upset, and you do your best to console them in response. At the same moment, your friend is fixating on their mistakes and berating themselves. They’re ruminating on every missed opportunity and misstep at work. You’re doing what you can to shift their perspective, but nothings happening. They’re stuck in a rut.
This mindset, where every setback is a sign of your failure, is wildly unproductive. It causes you to focus on yourself as a problem rather than on the problem itself and how you can contribute to a solution.
Highly disciplined people act as their own friends. They accomplish this by drawing on their experience to find solutions.
It’s important to take time to be upset, but disciplined people move quickly. They accept their failures and learn from them. Each setback is simply a step in a long journey.
An Unwavering Belief in Self
Self-efficacy is defined as a person’s faith in themselves (and in their own ability) to overcome a future challenge.
When shifting from education to technology I knew I’d be asked what made me qualified and why I wanted to make the transition. I knew my experience would relate, so instead of worrying, I focused on how I could clearly share my work experience.
My self-efficacy gave me the assurance to push forward rather than worry about what might happen.
People with self-efficacy focus on how to handle problems as they arise rather than worrying about what will happen when they do. This tiny shift in their mindset allows them to work proactively rather than reactively.
Self-efficacy instills accountability in highly disciplined people. They believe they can influence their lives and the outcomes of their experiences, even if the control they have is minimal. This characteristic exemplifies confidence, not cockiness.
Moments of Joy
When we think of successful entrepreneurs, Oprah, Elon Musk, Richard Branson, we think of the moments and experiences that define them. Our goals often imply the same attitude, that the hard work we put in will all be worthwhile in the future. That’s the wrong mindset for sustaining motivation and discipline.
Instead, you should be able to find joy in your day-to-day work. Highly disciplined people are happy with the work they put in each day. They don’t necessarily see every working moment rewarding, but they routinely experience a sense of satisfaction with their progress.
Research from the Booth School of Business confirms this behavior — the more immediately rewarding an activity, the more likely you are to stick to it in the long-term.
They Know How to Plan
Wildly disciplined people set great goals. That doesn’t mean they simply say, “I will do X.” They take serious time to plan out what they want to accomplish and how they’re going to do so.
It’s a misconception that goal setting is anything like what we do with our New Year’s Resolution. You can’t snap your fingers and “find a new job” or “get your advanced degree.” It takes a forward-thinking perspective and proper planning to see through what you want to accomplish.
To do so, they spend time thinking about what they want and how they’re going to accomplish it. Goal-setting is a science, one that takes time to fully understand and implement on.
Highly disciplined individuals know and practice this process. They aren’t content with waiting for the right moment. They work hard to ensure those moments happen. And when they do, they’re ready to strike.
A Focused Environment
Hard work doesn’t just happen. Most of the writers, investors, and engineers I work with cultivate a focused work environment that suits them. They do this because it helps them pay attention to the work at hand.
One of my coworkers at Google has a nearly barren desk. The only thing that he allows is a pair of orange headphones. When he has them on, he blocks the world out and his peers know they shouldn’t bother him unless it’s an emergency.
It’s a simple tactic, but one that prepares him and his coworkers for deep work.
As work becomes more digital, and with it any number of distractions, it’s important that your physical and digital space functions to your advantage.
Thankfully, there is an endless number of apps available to keep you focused and productive online. Writers can use apps like Grammarly to reduce the time they spend focused on editing, and investors have online resources like SeekingAlpha to find their next idea.
The internet is a wealth of resources to keep you focused. Highly disciplined people realize this and use it to cultivate an experience that allows them to get more done.
The Right Choice
Imagine two people on a diet. One buys a box of cookies, assuming they’ll be able to portion control. The other person avoids the snack aisle altogether. Which do you think loses more weight?
Highly disciplined people follow the same principles: it’s better to block temptation altogether rather than resist it day in and day out.
“It’s not about making the right choice all the time, it’s about setting yourself up so that you never have the opportunity to make the wrong choice. “
That’s the secret of discipline.
People wrongly believe that their heroes have incredible willpower. In truth, they’re just a bit better at making the right decisions in the first place. Over time, that attitude translates to a significant difference in their lives.
Discipline isn’t simply forcing yourself to work. It’s a set of characteristics that mean the difference between success and mediocrity.
If you’re able to practice these principles in harmony, you’ll be well on your way to becoming highly disciplined and leading a life you’ll be proud of.
The great news is, you don’t need every element outlined in this article to be a success. Taking time to cultivate any one of these traits will have a major impact on your life.
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