I used to believe I was born lazy.
That was my story and I was sticking to it. For years, I was stuck in a cycle I couldn't seem to break. I’d spend entire days gaming, binge eat until I felt sick, and let my life just drift away. The idea of "discipline" felt like something for other people. Not for me. I felt trapped by my own habits and completely powerless.
Maybe you know that feeling. The frustration of setting a goal on Monday only to have it forgotten by Wednesday. The disappointment of knowing you could be doing more but not knowing where to start. I get it. I have been there. My journey wasn't pretty, but it was real. I managed to break free from those habits, lose over 110 pounds, and build a life that feels purposeful and strong.
It wasn't about a secret formula or a sudden burst of motivation. It was about learning to build self-discipline one small, practical step at a time. And I want to share what I learned with you.
Here are 10 ways that helped me build self-discipline from the ground up.
1. Start Embarrassingly Small
When I decided to lose weight, I didn't start by vowing to run a marathon. I would have failed on day one. My first step was almost embarrassingly small. I decided to drink one less soda a day. That’s it. When that felt normal, I tried walking for just ten minutes. The goal isn't to shock your system. It's to build a tiny bit of momentum. Overwhelming yourself is the fastest way to quit. So ask yourself: what is the absolute smallest step I can take toward my goal? Make it so easy you can't say no. That first tiny win is the foundation for everything else.
2. Know Your Deepest "Why"
Discipline without a strong reason is just a chore. And nobody wants to do chores forever. You have to know why you're doing it. For me, it wasn’t just about looking better. It was about wanting to feel alive again. It was about wanting to honor the body God gave me instead of destroying it. When I connected my daily actions to that deeper purpose, everything changed. Temptation got weaker. My resolve got stronger. Don't just set a goal. Find the deep, meaningful reason behind it. Write it down. Remind yourself of it every single day.
3. Remove Obvious Temptations
You can't win a fight you pick every single day. It’s exhausting. Instead of relying on pure willpower, make it easier on yourself by removing the things that trip you up. When I wanted to stop gaming, I uninstalled every single game from my computer. When I wanted to stop eating junk food, I stopped buying it. It sounds simple, but it works. Create an environment that supports your goals, not one that constantly tests you. Make the right choice the easy choice.
4. Build a Simple Routine
Our brains love predictability. A simple routine frees up your mental energy so you don’t have to make so many decisions all day. I found that I don’t need to work eight hours straight to be productive. My best work happens in short, focused bursts. I built a routine around 2-4 hours of deep, uninterrupted work in the morning. That’s my main goal for the day. Once it's done, the pressure is off. Find a simple rhythm that works for you. It could be a morning walk, a set time for work, or an evening wind-down. Structure is your friend.
5. Celebrate the Small Wins
When you're facing a huge goal like losing 110 pounds, looking at the finish line is discouraging. So don't. Focus on the next step. And when you achieve it, celebrate it. Losing my first five pounds was a huge deal for me. Finishing a week without binge eating was a victory. I would literally thank God for the strength He gave me. These small wins build momentum. They prove to you that you can do it. They turn a long, hard slog into a series of achievable, rewarding steps.
6. Get Accountable to Someone
It's easy to let yourself down in private. It's much harder when you know someone else is watching. Find a trusted friend, family member, or mentor and share your goal with them. Ask them to check in on you. I talked to a close friend about my struggles. Just knowing he might ask how I was doing was often enough to keep me from slipping. Accountability adds a layer of positive social pressure that can make all the difference.
7. Fuel Yourself with Gratitude
It’s hard to stay disciplined when you feel like you’re deprived. Gratitude flips that script. I started a simple practice. Every morning, before I did anything else, I would thank God for three specific things. It could be as simple as a comfortable bed or the sun coming through the window. This tiny habit shifted my entire mindset from what I lacked to what I already had. It filled my tank for the day ahead. A grateful heart is a motivated heart.
8. Prioritize Real Rest
We live in a culture that glorifies hustle and burnout. But discipline isn’t about running on fumes. It’s about knowing when to push and when to rest. True self-discipline means turning off your phone and getting a good night's sleep. It means taking a day off to recharge your mind and body. You are not a machine. Rest isn't lazy. It's essential for long-term consistency and strength.
9. Forgive Yourself and Move On
You are going to mess up. I certainly did. There were days I ate the junk food. There were days I skipped my walk. In the past, that would have been my excuse to quit entirely. Now, I see it differently. A slip-up is just a slip-up. It's not a final verdict on your character. The most disciplined thing you can do after a mistake is to forgive yourself, learn from it, and get right back on track with your next choice. Don't let one bad meal turn into a bad week.
10. Connect to a Higher Purpose
Ultimately, the most powerful form of discipline comes when your actions are tied to something bigger than yourself. For me, that's my faith. I started to see my efforts not just as self-improvement, but as a way to become a better man, a better servant of God, and a better presence in the lives of others. When my "why" became about glorifying Him instead of just myself, the burden of discipline felt lighter. It became a joyful act of service, not a painful act of will. Whatever your deepest beliefs are, connecting your daily efforts to that purpose will provide a well of strength you can’t find anywhere else.
Self-discipline isn’t a talent you’re born with. It’s a skill you build, one day at a time. It's about progress, not perfection. It’s messy, it’s hard, but it is so, so worth it.
So, let me ask you: What is one small, embarrassingly simple step you can take today to move toward the person you want to become?
