7 Steps to Discipline

1. Identify Your Long-Term Goal(s) - Clearly identify what that is that you want and put it in
writing. Write it in a notebook everyday. Make it into a poster and put it up somewhere. Put it on
your bathroom mirror. Make sure you physically read your goal everyday. This will help keep
you focused on why you are going down this path.

I highly recommend using the SMART Goal method.

Specific - Answer the questions who, what where when, why when creating your goal. If it is too
vague you will have no direction.

Measurable - There is a criteria to measure whether the goal was achieved or not. "get better" is
too vague. "add 20 pounds on my squat" is quantifiable.

Achievable - The goal should be challenging, but not impossible. Make it difficult, make it
doable.

Relevant - The goal should fit within your lifestyle and what you want your life to look like in
the future.

Timely - Set a deadline. If the timeline in open-ended you will be more likely to kick the can
down the raod. Don't procrastinate!

2. Identify Your Own Strengths and Weaknesses - We all have vices. Identifying your vices
will make you more consciously aware when they become tempting. Lean in to your strengths. If
you already do some consistently well, use that as momentum to build on the next small victory.
Also, if you do something good already, why would you want to hinder your progress by giving
in to your other vices that will set you back?
3. Take Small, Actionable Steps - Going back to your SMART Goal, break your long-term goal
down into smaller steps. You might have made a goal with a deadline of 6 months. But what
smaller goal can you work to achieve over the next 2 weeks? Breaking your large goal into
smaller portions will help you keep on track, and gauge your progress along the way.

4. Timing - Habits and Rituals. - A major part of developing discipline is to develop routines
and habits. This can be done by doing the same thing, at the same time, everyday. Everyday. Not
Monday-Friday and taking the weekends off. EVERYDAY. The simplest example, and the
simplest one to actually start, is to wake up early. Many people believe in the 21 day method. Do
the same thing, the same way, at the same time everyday for 21 days and it becomes a habit.
Wake up at the same time every single day for 3 weeks and you will start to naturally wake up at
that time. Your body and mind become accustomed to it. This can be done with anything.
Dedicate yourself to it, and make it a habit.

5. Prioritize and Execute - Put the Big Rocks in First - Your big rocks are your priorities. If
you have a jar that represents your time, then the big rocks represent your priorities. These
priorities could be family, career, physical health, or whatever else you consider to be the most
important aspects of your life. Little rocks represent the “nice to haves”. The less important tasks
you need to complete, as well as the leisure activities you want to enjoy. Your priorities come
first. They should be the first things in your jar. Once you have prioritized and executed the
priorities, fill in the rest of your jar with the smaller tasks you need to complete, as well as the
leisure activities you hope to enjoy.

6. Mentor - Accountability - Developing discipline within your life can be extremely

challenging. You may be able to handle that burden yourself. Some of you may not. Some of you
may know that you will allow yourself to slip without someone holding you accountable. Hire a
mentor. There are countless resources out there to help guide you to your goals. It could even be
a close friend who holds you accountable as well. Regardless of who it is, you have to accept
their critiques as support. They are only trying to help. Be accepting of their help.

7. Never Miss Twice - Lastly, never take the easy way out 2 times in a row. Miss a workout? Do
not miss the next one. Slept in, don’t sleep in again tomorrow. Had a bad meal? Make the next
one extra healthy. It may take 21 days to create a habit, but it only takes 2 times to break it. Once
you allow yourself to make the poor choice twice in a row, you have started to gain negative
momentum. It becomes easier and easier to make the wrong choice.