Building discipline as a business owner is essential for success, especially when it comes to developing good habits. You are not alone if you are struggling with this, in the world we have created of technology designed to pull our focus and keep us engaged, it can be or feel like we are rewiring our brain by hand.
Discipline is often seen as a rigid concept, but it's actually a muscle that needs regular training. Just like physical muscles, discipline grows stronger with consistent effort. Without it, the best intentions and strategies can falter. Cultivating discipline allows you to implement and maintain habits that are crucial for your business’s growth. Here’s how you can start strengthening your discipline muscle by focusing on habit stacking, mindset shifts, and accountability.
1. Habit Stacking: Layering Your Way to Success
Habit stacking is an effective way to develop discipline by building on existing routines. It’s a concept popularized by James Clear in his book Atomic Habits, and it involves linking a new habit to an existing one. For instance, if you already check your email every morning, you could stack a new habit like reviewing your daily goals right after. By associating new habits with established ones, you create a seamless flow in your day, making it easier to maintain discipline.
Start small with habit stacking. A recent easy habit stack I did was to drink a 12 oz glass of water first thing in the morning as I do my 30 minutes of reading. Instead of trying to overhaul your routine overnight, add one new habit at a time. This gradual approach helps ensure that you are not overwhelmed. Over time, these small, consistent actions compound, leading to significant results. As these habits become second nature, your discipline strengthens, and you create a robust foundation for ongoing success.
2. Realize Your Mindset Will Need the Biggest Shift
This mindset shift concept is painful, because it means you must acknowledge your faults, perhaps you will need to identify what actions or trauma from your past are affecting your self talk, inner dialogue, and reflexive behaviors. Surround yourself with resources— therapy, experts, books, podcasts, and business owners—that reinforce a growth mindset. The stronger your mental framework, the easier it will be to build and maintain the discipline necessary for habit formation.
Discipline starts in the mind. Your mindset is the driving force behind your actions, and if it’s not aligned with your goals, your efforts will struggle to take root. One of the biggest challenges in developing discipline is overcoming the mental barriers that hold you back. This includes limiting beliefs, fear of failure, and procrastination.
3. Finding an Accountability Partner
An accountability partner is crucial in the journey of building discipline. Whether it’s a professional business coach, a fellow business owner, or a trusted partner, having someone to hold you accountable can be a game-changer. Accountability partners provide external motivation and perspective, helping you stay on track even when your self-discipline falters.
Choose someone who understands your goals, challenges, and business environment. Regular check-ins, whether weekly or monthly, create a structured environment where you are consistently reminded of your commitments. An accountability partner can offer feedback, celebrate your wins, and help you navigate setbacks, reinforcing the discipline muscle you’re building.
Developing the discipline muscle is an ongoing process that requires intentional action by YOU, no one can do it for you. There is no silver bullet to changing your mindset and suddenly being disciplined. You can leverage resources and professionals to help guide you and hold you accountable, but you will need to execute.
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