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*"How strange and foolish is man. He loses his health in gaining wealth. Then, to regain his health he wastes his wealth. He ruins his present while worrying about his future, but weeps in the future by recalling his past. He lives as though death shall never come to him, but dies in a way as if he was never born"* Attributed to Imam Ali (ra) (Idk if it's authentic or not)

“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.” - Jim Carey

Cold showers are honestly a gateway, highly recommend.

I have a bad habit of studying according to my mood 🙃 I will sit one day for hours studying and then stop for the next three days💆‍♀️. I want to do the best everyday😔

"Start thinking in behavior change in terms of The person you want to embody, rather than the goals that you want to achieve." That phrase hit me like a truck, thank you, Tom.

1. Create an Identity - Instead of saying _"I'm trying to quit X",_ say _"I don't do X"_ 2. Set a Reminder - This ensures that you don't forget 3. Embrace the suck - Push through with things that you don't want to do in order to improve self discipline 4. Target the Fundamentals - Focus mainly on health( getting good sleep, eating healthy, and exercise) 5. Practice Zazen meditation 6. Build some habits - Use a habit tracker - Look for a positive trend, not on being perfect

1.Focus on identity 2.create reminders 3.embrace the suck 4.Focus on proper rest and nutrition 5.Practice meditation 6.Build new habits Thank you brother...Useful video as always..and one thing,can you please make a video on How to go to bed on time?.. I've been trying to build the habit of waking up early and I've failed to reach automaticity because I struggle to go to bed on time..

“Self-discipline is about leaning into resistance. Taking action in spite of how you feel. Living a life by design, not by default. But most importantly, it’s acting in accordance with your thoughts-not your feelings.” This is definitely one of the most beautiful quote I ever read.

But how do you get better at self discipline when you have things to do but you don't see the point in it? For example, a student in school may understand the importance but may also understand school is not entirely important in becoming "successful."

How in the earth he knew that I needed this ?

What I’ve discovered today, my own method ; 1: Catch yourself being unconscious of your actions, be as conscious as possible with any action you take. 2. Retrieve from your mind what you’d like to achieve and which are those actions that’ll help you get there and whether in your current conscious moment, the task at hand aligns. 3. Realise and look back on all the times you’ve procrastinated because you’re tired etc and realise you’ve never actually once felt like doing it and always resorted to later and it ended up not being done. Basically my magic formula, “Wake up” from your current action Question if it aligns Know it doesn’t, change your action You don’t feel like it Realise, you’ll never feel like it

I think you mentioned balance but I still want to add: Have a hobby/activity that has NOTHING to do with your main goal. Doing something else between the work phases helps me a lot in being productive. My goal is becoming an accountant/working with law & taxation. I've found sewing to be a really good hobby for me. So, I learn and then take a break by sewing. I try not to think about my study during the break and it really works for me.

I like the resistance/ lifting analogy. Embrace the suck... If I feel like I don’t want to do it.. then I know If I DO, I’ll be making progress🤓

4 main areas: Discipline Environment Habits Discipline - do it regardless how u feel Baseline to archieve goals /focus on identity /set reminders / embrace resistance /target the fundamentals first- food, rest, exercise /build new habits

Embrace discomfort. Lean into resistance. Every "I don't feel like it" moment is an opportunity to develop self-discipline.

Abraham Lincoln : " Self discipline is difference between what you want now and what you want most."☺️

I really try to stay neutral and not say anything, but you are GLOWING. Your confidence is justing shining right through your face. You look amazing!! Keep it up!

The entire video can be a life building video by itself. Amazing bro. Keep going

Great JOB! I thought I would add (thank you, Victor...) Self-Discipline is about leaning into resistance. Taking action in spite of how you feel. Living a life by design not by default. But most importantly, it’s action in accordance with your thoughts - not your feelings (Samuel Thomas Davies) 1. 2:17 - Create an Identity - Instead of saying "I'm trying to quit X", say "I don't do X" 2. 4:32 - Set a Reminder - This ensures that you don't forget 3. 5:23 - Embrace the suck - Push through with things that you don't want to do in order to improve self-discipline 4. 6:32 - Target the Fundamentals - Focus mainly on health( getting good sleep, eating healthy, and exercise) 5. 7:38 - Practice Zazen meditation 6. 8:43 - Build some habits - Use a habit tracker - Look for a positive trend, not on being perfect Great work I even enjoyed your book.

When I was in school I thought I wasn't giving as much effort as I could and I started calling myself a Nerd and changed my habits to suit

I have a personal favorite quote from Eric Thomas that goes something like this. Self-discipline is "to be able, at any moment,to sacrifice what you are for what you will become".

So to summarize: 1)Change identity 2)become uncomfortable 3)set Reminders 4)take care of your body 5)meditate 6)build habits

This is really good stuff. I have ADHD and I choose not to take medication for it, I am looking for natural ways to increase my focus and discipline, I liked the part about identity the best. It really makes sense

My summary (+some own thoughts): ->In short: Self-Discipline (SD) is about leaning into resistance. Taking action in spite of how you feel. Living a life by design, not by default. But most importantly, it's acting in accordance with your thoughts - not your feelings. -> SD is the ability to make the conscious decision to do something regardless of whether you feel motivated. ->6 strategies for building SD: 1. Forget about the goal, focus on the shift in identity (see James Clear, Atomic Habit) a) Example: Think of yourself as an athlete ->you're more motivated to hit the gym, eat healthy etc. b) Enemy: Imposter Syndrome might make you feel insecure whether you could fulfill a particular role -> overcome it! c) Explanation: Cialdini's consistency principle: ppl want to act according to their previous decisions / principles etc. 2. Frequently remind yourself of why you're being disciplined at all (see Sinek, Start With Why) a) Write down your long-term goals and store them visibly in your everyday life (on the wall, display background picture, on your desk, in your wallet etc.) b) Example: Jim Carrey's $10M cheque that he gave to himself at the beginning of his career and carried around for motivation 3. Embrace the resistance/discomfort in every situation (see Taleb, Antifragile) a) It's like a rep in the gym -> with each rep your will gets stronger b) The increase in willpower will be beneficial towards ANY future tasks c) Look for ways in everyday life to embrace discomfort, e. g. take cold showers, stairs instead of elevator, hit the gym etc. 4. Target the fundamentals first a) Fundamental needs: food, rest, exercise etc. (see Maslow's pyramid) b) Why? Brain-part that handles executive functioning ("internal manager", System II (see Kahneman), locus of willpower) requires lots of energy and rest 5. Regular zen meditation a) Zen meditation has many benefits: relieves einstellung effect (more creativity), better concentration, improves emotion regulation & self-discipline b) Apps for guided meditation: Headspace, Calm, YT Videos c) Thomas recommends Zazen (sit & concentrate on your breath, eyes closed, notice and let go of distracting thoughts); "It's the self-development technique I hate doing the most, but the benefits are undeniable" 6. Build new habits a) The initial stages of building new habits require self-discipline as it's not automatic yet b) The self-discipline is improving in the process of habit development for reasons similar to 3 ("mental training") c) When a habit gets automatic it requires much less self-discipline in the future d) For every habit you build: start small, track your progress, maybe use an app like habitica/strides/habitbull, celebrate your wins and focus not too much on purity/streaks. Instead make sure your trend is going in a overall positive direction.

Why does it feel like he caught me procrastinating and uploaded a video to stop me from doing so

Just when I was binge watching Netflix. Best timing.

Solid advice man! I found my gains in self discipline came from putting myself in a position to feel discomfort, then making sure I moved into that discomfort to get the win on the other side. Basically tempering my mind through controlled struggle.

I’m taking the first steps. I’ve been in celebration/vacation mindset since my last big accomplishment nearly 2 years ago. Time to shape back up, in every form. Thanks for the tips!

The thing about self-discipline is it is so hard to get into the habit but once you're in it feels amazing.

I just started reading Atomic Habits. It's the best book I've read this year especially when James talked about how you should improve 1% every day and embrace who you want to become.

I love how this guy gives advice on self-improvement without making anyone feel guilty about the behaviours they want to change. A lot of channels like this use adversarial, “tough love” techniques that just aren’t very motivating to me, this guy seems very nice and encouraging.

That smoking reference and how the two levels of severity in boundaries are actually an indicator of how dedicated we actually are to change was great. Being consciously curious as to why we operate the way we do is an amazing tool to stay present, rather than robotically pushing through the day reaching into the future or the past to sustain an emotional fulfillment we haven't quite ascended to yet.

The notif for this vid came as if it’s watching me,, truly needed, especially that I haven’t been able to leave my phone and make myself work over the last week.. thank you for the video Thomas! I always look up to your videos!

I actually need this. My exam is next week and I am just chilling.

Thomas, I listen/read/follow a lot of good stuff about self help from many masters of the disciplines, and you have an outstanding way of delivering them all in this video and many of your others! Thanks for your time and effort my friend!

There are no words that can tell how grateful I am that you made this video. Thanks a BIG lot.

A flip side for the identity method! So, while I think the identity method is such a empowering mindset change, I've recently read a Mark Manson (The art of not giving a f#ck author) article which said the exact opposite: to not get your identity involved in the actions you want to do because it could get you emotionally attached in an unhealthy way. The article is called "Stop trying to change yourself" (not as bad as it sounds). I'd say give that a read as well and then decide which mindset empowers you more. For me it's getting my identity involved. But I thought I'd share this regardless. Thomas, your personal development videos are my favourite, you make them so complete and resourceful. Also, I've got my Brilliant membership. Still debating on the cold showers...

Excellent video as always Tom. Another great self-discipline tactic is making your bed every morning. I started this about a year ago after hearing an incredible speech on the power of making your bed. I now do it every morning without fail and find that it helps me feel more disciplined and starts me off in a better state of mind. It also feels like a small accomplishment every day :)

THIS IS THE MOST USEFUL THING I'VE LEARNED IN THE PAST 2 YEARS! THANK YOU!

This is probably the best advice I’ve received within this genre. Thank you for your efforts.

When I was in Taekwondo they taught us a lot about self-discipline, not just in martial arts, but in life as well. I think this video’s also really helpful, thanks! Keep up the great vids 😄

Ok now I just think Thomas is a mind reader he always puts out the right videos at the right time I swear he sees us all sitting on the couch instead of doing our assignments 😄

On that first tip: I've always thought this was one of the biggest secrets to success but I've never been able to articulate it! When I commit to being something, such as a studious academic, small business owner or avid meditator, and start saying that I'm that to other people, my actions naturally start to align with these roles.

You have changed my life. I'm thirteen going on fourteen and i got into a really bad place and almost killed myself recently. I went through therapy that encouraged me to reevaluate my life and myself and how i let others affect me. The boom seven habits of effective teens taught me about paradigm shifts. And while before i looked to your channel for study tips, i now see a huge opportunity and a role model like no other. I am learning to listen, and to use stratedy to interact with others, one of my biggest weaknesses. I could go on, but honestly, thank you.

Perfect Timing :) I was looking for a great video like this. A longer version to your 1 Strategy to be more Disciplined Video

0:35 - 0:39. So well put. Thanks.

The end goal is what keeps me motivated n disciplined. I know where I wanna be in a few years time so I keep that in my head at all times for when I have a give up moment I think back as to y I wanted it in the first place

“Living by design and not by default” YES that’s what I needed !!

Your content is amazing! I've already read your book. I just wish that someday it get translated to portuguese, I think your books would make a huge difference in my class mate's lives. A big thanks from Brazil

1. Focus on your identity 2. Set Reminders 3. Embrace discomfort 4. Health is wealth - sleep + nutrition 5. Practice Zazen 6. Create new habits

I am struggling to complete my masters thesis. I cannot stress enough how little I care about this project and how unmotivated I am to write it. But I am not someone who gives up, and I am very frustrated watching potential job opportunities pass me by. I am a fan of Jordan Peterson and he has helped me try to get my life together little by little. But I have never heard him speak about self discipline. This video helps. Thank you

My number one resource of getting better at everything! Following you on Instagram, youtube, and podcast since 2015. Amazing work brother, keep it up.

Man, this video came to me in a perfect time. I will graduate this year in computer science, and I had practice meditation some times, mostly in the past, but now the thing I need most is self discipline to work towards my bigger objectives in life, and your lessons really made me want to achieve this self discipline, thank you.

Hey Thomas and everyone else: This might be a bit late for you but i found a great Tip to keep Focus on Meditation and not get distracted as easily is to establish a very simple Mantra: Just repeat the Word ONE in your Head. It makes it so whenever your monkey brain sends your thoughts flying, you immediately refocus again because you have to formulate the word one in your head. this is of course possible with any word, but i find a visual 1 that i "say" with my inner voice aswell to be quite difficult to maintain so i have to focus. Hope it helps anyone!

I do something similar which society calls as 'meditation' but in my brain this thing is something more personal, that didn't need a tag. I prefer also to speak to my self, and honestly, in this sessions taked just for break time from society, I took from my self the best advices that I received in my life.

you are right, discipline is hard to obtain, all goes with facing your discomforts.

There is one quote that I really like and tell myself each time my brain goes "I don't feel like it": "You can either endure the pain of self-discipline or suffer the pain of regret" I think that is a very strong phrase for anyone who knows how it feels like to be in that phase of regret and beating oneself up.

Great stuff. Having something you want to work towards helps you with self discipline. Loved how you mentioned James Clear's new book. Heard good things about it and I am looking forward to reading it

Great video - love the idea of acting in alignment with the changes in our identity. It's something Glenn and I talk about constantly. Truth to feast on!

Self discipline is really a way of knowing that I can make a switch if I need and want or stay at the same spot. but I will only make it if necessary. This start with a really good judgment of right and wrong

really great video and tips... I want to add something though... Gretchen Rubin´s four personality types (the upholder, questioner, rebel, and obliger) explained a lot for me... Everytime I tried to actually write down a goal or use a habit tracker I failed after a week or two... then I hated myself for being not disciplined enough and not keeping promises to myself... but in fact, every time, I tell myself I really really want to do something, and become obsessed with it, but don´t tell anybody and don´t write it down, for some reason it works (most of the time).... so even if (according to Rubin), the rebel model is the smallest group of the four personality types, I figured out that I don´t like being told what to do by anyone, not even myself...then it becomes a chore, and I don´t like it and rebel against it... but when I´m getting obsessed about it and thinking about it constantly (and also using your tips like making it non-negotiable, a part of my identity, stop thinking, just doing), I´m doing much much better :) Hope this might help someone...and maybe you could even do a video about it?! :) anyways, great job! :)

There's definitely good ideas here, particularly the first, third, and fourth. In combination with another video I recently watched which equated procrastination with resistance, I especially appreciate number 3. I would like to share a word of caution concerning meditation. There are ways to improve focus and self-discipline that do not require going into full-blown meditation, which has harmful effects as well as beneficial. For example, I read a book written by a man who was formerly in the New Age, but left it. He meditated everyday. During the time that he was doing so, he was convinced his car radio was broken because he could never hear any base. He'd had it "fixed" multiple times, to no avail. When he decided to stop meditating and tossed out all his related paraphernalia, he suddenly was able to hear the base in his car radio. I think it was the very next day. Don't ask me to explain the biological processes that caused this phenomenon; the author himself didn't know. But that was his experience. There were other issues as well, but I'm not going to get into all that. The point is, just because something has benefits, doesn't mean it's all good. It's like certain foods. There may be good nutrients in it and you might decide it's good to eat, but there might also be something harmful in the food, and you might reap some unpleasant consequences in the future for eating it. So, be sure to research things like that very carefully before you just dive headlong into it just because your favourite KZfaqr does it....

Man, I genuinely love your vibe. Your energy is motivating.

I had this video for 2 months on my browser tab, I just watched it today.

Plan weekly instead of daily and you'll see how you accomplish more! Great video!

I love this channel man you’re already me so much I’m starting my first semester of college and I feel way more confidence knowing I have more potential than I thought!

wow. ive been struggling with depression and i feel like a lot of my depressed feelings have decreased with my medication. however, the motivation doesn’t come with it, and i feel like it doesn’t even last. i really need to discipline myself and it’s definitely a challenge.

Definitely need more discipline for myself before USMC

I'd highly recommend 'extreme Ownership' by Jocko Willink.

Your videos are not only to watch for entertainment or relaxation. Your videos help people (including me) to become better persons. Happier persons. Thank you!

Thank you for the video! Now I think about myself as a best, most exemplary veterinary student and not just one who's trying to be like that

Atomic habits is one of the greatest books honestly!

Just when i was about to slack off again 😂 Perfect timing.

I always appreciate how clear, approachable, and informative these videos are! Thank you :)

Thank you very much Thomas Frank this has helped me a lot as a middle schooler who is a little behind on work.

Ur a great youtuber. Keep up the work

This was a great video. I personally think the two key fundamentals that everything falls under for discipline is mindset and habits. Get those right, the rest will fall into place. Why hate meditation??

Thank you so much for this video. I've been struggling with college and this is just the thing I need.

these videos are so calming to watch, i always watch you before i study.

Don’t be motivated, be disciplined. Change your mindset to be consistent. Create reminders. Embrace disconfort. Something I might add: Film yourself doing it (like a study with me thing) and post it, it really motivates you and you Don’t even have to show your face. Really, try it.

6:24 love that homestuck reference

I have been looking for this for so much time and luckily i found your videos...Really helping me a lot in building myself and staying focussed...

A thought was presented to me by this girl I used to chat with briefly here and there. She said "when I think about who I am, instead of thinking about what I do I like to think of myself alone, secluded in a room looking at myself in a 3rd person, away from all immediate influence and I think what about me impresses me" and it was to talk about how she focuses more on her character than her accomplishments. She's a very accomplished person herself so I've dwelled on that for the past year and I've unfortunately been inconsistent with how well I apply it I also agree that I've felt my very best in life in the times I focused on my character and "identity" over focusing on my goals. I have an issue where I have 2 long term goals that are very conflicting and it runs me in circles quite a bit. Trying to commit to both at once is very difficult, but focusing on my identity has brought me closer to both goals than focusing on the goals themselves ever did. I still at this very moment have trouble consistent applying that practice, but when things are going well mentally and I'm able to actually focus it truly works wonders

"Motivation is your overall desire to do something whereas discipline is your ability to do it regardless of how you feel." Great words. ♥️

You are perfect ❤️

thank you this video is helping me so much !currently want to be a cop and then m feeling overwhelmed with all the tests and i knew i needed to discipline myself when i was not motivated

This is amazing especially thinking of your identity instead of the goal. Thank you!

Looks like I need to get a copy of Atomic Habits

At the end of the video, would it be possible for you to summarize the concepts covered in the video? The tips you gave, as well as the books and apps that you mention. I feel like in each video there's a lot of good content but it's difficult to keep up with. For example, the mobile apps you mentioned I had to go back to see what they were because I forgot lol :). Do you happen to have a reading list as well?

Thank you so much for all of the valuable information you provide. I was introduced to you through an online college class that had your note taking video available.

Wow. That first tip was exactly what I needed to hear right now.

This couldn't have come at a more perfect time ngl

2x microdosing LSD a week + 4x mindfulness meditation + visualisation (yourself in a position who sees his problems as his own to be more a discilpined "workaholic") a week + 4x sport a week + always optimising diet + a good diary (tracking achievements/habits) and good planning

Number 3 is the one I love the most in theory and hate the most in action.

Thomas I came across your channel 'by chance' and straight away I loved IT. The video is so amazing that literary I've watched it a few times. Thanks

He at least makes me sit straight on my chair during his video

If you know your WHY or have a big enough reason, then it gets very easier to be more disciplined. Your WHY must be arousing enough for you to take actions and not procrastinate.

Meditation I'm a huge fan of . When changing your mind and outlook on challenges meditation really helps me to stay calm and focused through the discomfort of building mental toughness and self discipline

Many students (including me) in my country love to create visual reminders when we're studying for university entrance exams. We create scrapbooks, moodboards, write journals, PInterest boards, print our dream university's logos and pictures and put it on the wall in front of our desks, and set the pictures of our dream universities as our wallpaper. I myself set my target university as my laptop wallpaper. Every day, when I open my laptop, I see my reminder and I instill it into my mind, again and again. Now, I'm already in my dream university and it feels AMAZING. My wallpaper becomes a silent witness of all my hard work.