Lazy people who become highly disciplined often practice these 10 simple habits

Believe it or not, even the laziest among us can transform into highly disciplined individuals. The secret lies in forming habits.

Folks who’ve made this incredible switch didn’t do it overnight. They adopted a few simple, yet powerful habits that gradually changed their lives.

In this article, we’ll explore ten of these habits that can help even the most unmotivated person become the paragon of discipline.

Let’s get started.

1) Start small

When you’re used to a laid-back lifestyle, the thought of adopting a disciplined routine can seem daunting.

But here’s the catch – you don’t have to change everything at once.

The highly disciplined were once lazy too. They didn’t wake up one day and magically become productivity machines. Instead, they started with small, manageable tasks.

The secret is to make the initial changes so easy that you can’t say no. Think of it like training for a marathon – you wouldn’t start by running 26 miles on your first day, right?

Starting small builds momentum and sets a foundation to gradually adopt more challenging habits. So, pick a simple task today, and commit to doing it daily. You’ll be surprised at how this single habit can spark significant changes in your life.

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day – and neither is discipline.

2) Consistency trumps intensity

Let me share a personal story with you. A few years ago, I decided to get in shape. So, I signed up for a gym membership and started working out like a madman. I was hitting the gym every day for two hours, pushing myself to the limit.

But guess what? After two weeks, I was exhausted, demotivated, and ready to throw in the towel.

That’s when I realized the flaw in my approach – I was focusing on intensity instead of consistency.

So, I reevaluated my plan and started working out for just 30 minutes every day. The workouts were less intense, but I stuck to them consistently. And over time, I noticed significant improvement in my fitness levels.

The lesson here is clear – when it comes to discipline, consistency is more important than intensity. It’s better to do a little bit every day than a lot all at once and then burn out.

Incorporating small tasks into your daily routine and doing them consistently is one of the key habits that can help transform a lazy person into a disciplined one. Trust me, it works!

3) Embrace the power of routine

Our brains are wired to love routines. Neuroscientists have found that when we establish a routine, our brain activity decreases as it no longer has to make decisions about what to do next. This frees up mental energy for other tasks.

Routines provide structure and predictability, reducing stress and increasing efficiency. It’s like having a roadmap for your day, where you know exactly what turn to take and when.

Now, I’m not suggesting your entire day should be a rigid schedule. But incorporating certain routines – like a morning or nightly routine – can help you become more disciplined.

So, whether it’s making your bed as soon as you wake up, going for a brief walk after lunch, or reading for 15 minutes before bed, establish routines that work for you. Over time, you’ll find yourself becoming more disciplined without even realizing it.

4) Break down big tasks

One common trait among lazy people is the tendency to procrastinate, especially when faced with large, daunting tasks. But those who’ve successfully transitioned to a disciplined lifestyle have mastered the art of breaking down these big tasks into smaller, manageable parts.

Think of it like eating a pizza. You wouldn’t try to eat the whole thing in one bite, right? You’d divide it into slices and eat one slice at a time. The same principle applies to your tasks.

By breaking down a big task into smaller parts, you reduce the mental resistance associated with starting the task. Each completed subtask gives you a sense of progress and motivates you to tackle the next one.

Next time you’re faced with a big task, don’t let its size intimidate you. Slice it up into bite-sized pieces and conquer it one piece at a time. This simple habit can be a game-changer in your journey towards discipline.

5) Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness might seem like a trendy buzzword, but it’s a proven tool for developing self-discipline.

Being mindful means living in the present moment and paying attention to your thoughts and actions. It’s about being aware of what you’re doing, instead of running on autopilot.

When you practice mindfulness, you become more aware of your habits, including the ones that contribute to your laziness. This awareness is the first step towards changing those habits.

Mindfulness can be as simple as paying attention to your breathing for a few minutes each day, or consciously focusing on the task at hand instead of letting your mind wander.

Give mindfulness a try. It might not transform you into a disciplined person overnight, but it will definitely set you on the right path.

6) Don’t be too hard on yourself

We all have those days when we just can’t seem to get anything done, no matter how hard we try. And on those days, it’s easy to beat ourselves up and feel like a failure.

But here’s the thing – nobody is perfect. Everyone has off days, and that’s okay. The key is to not let these occasional setbacks discourage you or derail your progress towards discipline.

Remember, becoming disciplined is a journey, not a destination. So don’t be too hard on yourself if you stumble along the way. Instead, show yourself some compassion, dust yourself off, and get back on track.

Believe me, the road to discipline is paved with bumps and potholes. But with patience and perseverance, you’ll get there. So keep going, even when the going gets tough. Because you’re stronger than you think, and you’ve got this.

7) Find your ‘why’

A few years back, I found myself stuck in a rut. I was procrastinating, neglecting my responsibilities, and just generally feeling unmotivated. I knew I needed to be more disciplined, but I just couldn’t seem to make it happen.

That’s when I realized that I was missing something crucial – my ‘why’.

Having a clear ‘why’ – a compelling reason or purpose for doing what you’re doing – is a powerful motivator. It’s what gets you out of bed in the morning, pushes you to work hard, and keeps you going when things get tough.

For me, my ‘why’ was my family. I wanted to be a better provider for them, and that desire motivated me to become more disciplined.

So, take some time to figure out your ‘why’. What drives you? What’s your purpose? Once you find it, hold onto it. It can be the fuel that powers your journey towards discipline.

8) Schedule downtime

Here’s something that might surprise you – disciplined people aren’t always ‘on’. They understand the importance of rest and relaxation, and they make sure to schedule downtime into their routines.

It might seem like taking breaks is the opposite of being disciplined, but it’s not. In fact, it’s a crucial part of maintaining a disciplined lifestyle.

Working non-stop can lead to burnout, which is a fast track to falling back into lazy habits. On the other hand, regular breaks can refresh your mind, boost your creativity, and increase your productivity.

So don’t feel guilty about taking some time off. Whether it’s a quick nap, a walk in the park, or just a few minutes of quiet reflection, make sure to give yourself the downtime you need.

Remember, discipline isn’t about being busy all the time. It’s about being in control of your time – and that includes knowing when to take a break.

9) Prioritize your tasks

One key habit that separates the disciplined from the lazy is the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

Let’s face it – we all have a limited amount of time and energy each day. And if we try to do everything at once, we’ll end up overwhelmed and exhausted, which can lead to procrastination and laziness.

That’s why it’s essential to prioritize your tasks. Identify the most important tasks – the ones that will have the biggest impact on your goals – and tackle those first.

This approach, often referred to as the ‘Pareto Principle’ or ’80/20 rule’, suggests that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. By focusing on these high-impact tasks, you can make the most of your time and energy.

So start each day by identifying your top priorities, and then focus on those tasks before anything else. This habit alone can take you a long way on your journey towards discipline.

10) Commitment is key

At the end of the day, becoming disciplined boils down to one thing – commitment. You need to make a conscious decision to change your habits, stick to it, and keep going even when it’s tough.

Sure, the other habits we’ve discussed are important. But without commitment, none of them will stick.

So make a promise to yourself. Commit to becoming more disciplined, and don’t let anything deter you from that goal.

It won’t be easy. There will be days when you’ll want to give up and revert back to your old habits. But remember why you started this journey in the first place, and let that motivate you to keep going.

Because when you’re committed, truly committed, there’s nothing you can’t achieve.