You know the highly disciplined type—they’re up at dawn, crushing their goals, and making it all look effortless. Have you ever wanted to be like that? Well, you’re in luck because we’re digging into the habits that set these people apart.
1. They get up at the crack of dawn
First things first (literally): disciplined people don’t hit that snooze button. They don’t just drag themselves out of bed, they leap into their morning routine with enthusiasm. Why? Because they know that how you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s not about being a morning person; it’s about being intentional with your time from the get-go.
2. They set highly specific goals
Highly disciplined people don’t just have vague aspirations floating around in their heads. Nope, they set specific, measurable goals without hesitation. Want to write a book? Great! They’ll commit to writing 500 words a day. Looking to get fit? They’ll plan for 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. It’s not about dreaming big (although that’s important too); it’s more about breaking it down into actionable steps.
3. They say “no”
Here’s a superpower that might surprise you: highly disciplined people are really good at saying “no.” They don’t hesitate to turn down commitments that don’t align with their goals or values. They understand that every “yes” to something is a “no” to something else. So, they guard their time and energy fiercely.
4. They take accountability
This might mean having an accountability partner, joining a mastermind group, or simply sharing their goals publicly. According to Inc, highly disciplined people know that external accountability can be a powerful motivator and don’t hesitate to leverage it. They don’t need approval, they just want to be surrounded by people and places that support their success.
5. They bounce back
They don’t just face setbacks; they embrace them as learning opportunities. Miss a workout? They’ll be back at it tomorrow, no shame required. Didn’t meet a goal? They’ll reassess, adjust, and keep moving forward. They don’t hesitate to get back on track after a slip-up. They know that the path to any goal is rarely a straight line, and they’re prepared for the twists and turns.
6. They’re not perfectionists
You might be surprised by this one, but highly disciplined people reject perfectionism because they know it’s the enemy of progress. They don’t hesitate to embrace “good enough” when it means moving forward. They still have high standards, but they understand that waiting for perfect conditions or perfect results often leads to inaction.
7. They resist temptations
Ice cream in the freezer? Latest episode of that binge-worthy show calling their name? Highly disciplined people aren’t immune to temptation, but they’ve mastered the art of resisting it. This might mean keeping junk food out of the house, using website blockers during work hours, or even choosing friends who align with their goals. They’re smart about managing their environments.
8. They love feedback
While many of us run from feedback, disciplined people actively seek it out. They don’t hesitate to ask for constructive criticism, whether it’s on their work, their habits, or their progress towards goals. And you know what? They don’t just listen, they act on it. They see feedback as free advice for improvement, not as personal attacks.
9. They take time to reflect
At the end of the day, when most of us are zoning out to Netflix, disciplined people are zoning in on their day. They take time to reflect—what went well? What could be improved? How did they progress towards their goals? By regularly checking in with themselves, they stay on track and make continuous improvements.
10. They embrace discomfort
Disciplined people feel discomfort just like the rest of us. The difference? They lean into it. Need to have a difficult conversation? They’ll do it. Facing a challenging task? They’ll tackle it head-on. They understand that growth happens outside their comfort zone, so they’re willing to get uncomfortable. It’s not that they enjoy discomfort (they’re not masochists, after all), but they’ve trained themselves to see it as a sign of progress rather than a signal to step back.
11. They don’t make excuses
“I’m too tired,” “I don’t have time,” “I’ll start on Monday.” These are phrases you’ll rarely hear from a highly disciplined person. They don’t hesitate to call themselves out when they start to waver. If they’re too tired to work out, they’ll do a shorter session. If they have no time to read, they’ll listen to an audiobook during their commute. They understand that excuses are just comfort blankets for inaction, and they’re not interested in being comfortable—they’re interested in making progress.
12. They roll with their emotions
Highly disciplined don’t let their emotions drive the car. When strong feelings hit, they don’t hesitate to acknowledge them, but they also don’t let them dictate their actions. They’re riding the waves of emotion rather than being tossed around by them. It’s not about suppressing emotions, but about choosing their responses to them.
13. They do habit stacking
According to James Clear, habit stacking is the act of linking new habits to existing ones, which creates a chain of positive behaviors. Highly disciplined people are pros at this. If they need to remember something like a vitamin, they’ll take them with their morning coffee. By piggybacking new habits onto established routines, they make it easier to maintain multiple good habits without feeling overwhelmed.
14. They make decisions quickly
One thing about highly disciplined people is they don’t hesitate to make decisions quickly and stick to them. By making decisions efficiently (or eliminating the need for certain decisions altogether), they free up mental energy for more important things. They know that time spent waffling over minor decisions is time taken away from actual doing.
15. They love routines
They create structured patterns for their days and stick to them. They have morning routines, evening routines, work routines, exercise routines—you name it, they’ve routined it. Why? Because routines reduce decision fatigue and make good habits automatic. It’s like putting your good behaviors on autopilot.
