5 Ways Lack of Discipline Derails You

Most of us are familiar with the concept and definition of discipline. Discipline is the ability to make decisions and follow through with consistent action, regardless of how hard it gets or how long it takes, without changing your direction and mind.

Of course, discipline is an important aspect of life. Without it, we’d find it difficult to meet everyday life demands. But it becomes much deeper than that when your desire is long-term success and major transformation.

According to the American Psychological Association dictionary:

Discipline can be defined as training that’s designed to establish desired habits of mind and behavior. 2. control of conduct, by means of punishment or reward.

A person without discipline is practically guaranteed to fail in life. This is particularly true for dreams and life goals that aren't ordinary. 

An interview of the top 10 athletes in the world on why they were so great at their chosen sport all shared a very similar answer. The key? Discipline.

We can conclude that discipline is the first step to achieving any level of greatness, right? After all, when you fully commit your time and energy to practicing discipline you’ll start to experience more transformational growth.

However, what happens when one lacks discipline?

It Can Impede the Quality of Focus

A lack of discipline can distort your focus. Without discipline, you wouldn't be able to control your center of interest and the quality of your concentration. With discipline, you're able to stay in the zone experiencing higher levels of “flow” and self-control for longer periods of time, no matter the situation happening around you.

Additionally, a lack of discipline is an indicator of poor inner strength. Without discipline, you run the risk of lowering the quality of your strengths. You're likely to give up once an activity becomes difficult even when that activity is absolutely necessary to accomplish your goal. According to Psychologists, those who lack discipline are more comfortable with mediocre performances rather than reaching for more. They tend to avoid engaging in any strenuous activities that can possibly expedite their growth. Personal Growth requires work and effort of course. This makes laziness more appealing and giving up more likely.

• Derails Good Decision-Making

More often than not, consistent decision-making is necessary to hit a specific target. Whether the aim is maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly, or working on your business to hit your six-figure financial goal. All of this requires quality, consistent decision-making.

A person who lacks discipline may find it complicated to make good choices often choosing by default to make no decision at all. This is especially true if they believe the decision will inconvenience them or create more responsibilities. For example, while the benefits of regular exercise are enormous, it requires discipline to stick to a daily exercise regimen that takes time, effort, and yes….focus. A person who lacks discipline is more likely to choose to skip exercising altogether and instead binge on the couch for four hours and snack on unhealthy foods. Why? Simply because this is easier. This avoidance and resistance can become a habit, derailing the plan to get healthy altogether.

• Lack Of Character

Dr. Steve Peters in his bestseller ‘The Chimp Paradox,’ remarks that we are already who we want to be. It’s just our minds and the choices we make that are stopping us from behaving in the way we would love to behave. For example, you might desire to be a kind, hard-working person but easily lose your temper. In such a situation, you do not need to try to be a kind person as you already are kind. What you need to work on is the discipline to keep your temper in check. When you are not disciplined, others who witness this may begin to see you as a hateful person due to your lack of control over your temper and emotions.

• Reduces Your Follow Through

Sadly, most goals/dreams are not easily achieved. To accomplish next-level goals, you need to maintain motivation and have a commitment to follow through. This requires discipline. When you lack discipline, you are far less likely to put in the effort required to stay consistent. A person who lacks discipline will shy away from tough challenges, quit often, succumb to random actions, and search for easier routes and shortcuts to success. Some may even stoop to cheating or copying someone else’s hard work to get ahead.

When you do not meet the needed requirements, you'll remain stagnant, which can lower the quality of your work and life.

Most of us know and have heard that nothing worthwhile is achieved easily. You’ll have to face challenges and overcome various obstacles. You’ll have to commit for longer periods of time and may even run into more obstacles. The difference between success and failure is our ability to persist and persevere when faced with difficult situations. It’s the difference between quitting and following through.

• Lack of Discipline Can Create Poor Relationships

When you lack discipline, it isn't easy to build strong relationships with others. The characteristics highly regarded in a relationship such as honesty, integrity, dependability, commitment, reciprocity, and loyalty require a strong mental character. A strong mental character is only developed through discipline. The chances of you exhibiting these characteristics when you lack discipline are very low. For work-related goals, others may avoid wanting to work with “the slacker” in the group. The one who lacks discipline often looks for others to do the hard work for them. This can destroy chances of promotion and even career growth. In business, a person who lacks discipline may often over-promise and under-deliver. They may search for get-rich-quick schemes that aren’t available to customers and clients because of poor customer relationships. In personal life, the person who lacks discipline may do all the taking and never giving back. They may cheat and lie often or may often look to blame their partners when they make a mistake.

Final Thoughts

Self-discipline is supposed to be taught to us and instilled in childhood by our caregivers. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, but that does not mean we are doomed forever. You can teach yourself self-discipline as an adult. This is a major element of personal development and personal growth since when we develop our self-discipline, it has a very positive effect on all areas of ourselves and our lives.

We can help you increase your discipline so you experience more success. Joining the A. Suite and getting monthly access to focus + discipline tools can transform your work and life areas.