Self discipline is the ability to do what you should do, when you should do it whether you feel like it or not —Elbert Hubbard.

According to the Oxford dictionary, self discipline is the ability to control one’s emotions and overcome one’s weaknesses. It is simply the ability to push forward in one’s duty or responsibility despite their emotional or physical feelings.

Mastering self discipline as a writer can be quite difficult especially when not taken seriously. 

1. Set Smart Goals

This includes: 

S—Specific

Set goals that point out the specific things you want to achieve within a specific time frame. 

Specificity makes a goal more effective. Be specific about what you want to do, and what steps to be taken to achieve it. 

For example, instead of saying “I want to make two million in six months” without specific details on the actions to take to achieve this.

Instead, you map out distinctive steps you have to take like “I am going to make two million in six months by doubling the sales that I make weekly “.

M—Measurable 

For a specific goal to be effective, it has to be measurable. A measurable goal states the quantity of things to be achieved. 

For example, if you want to write a book of five pages in 5 days, you should be able to distribute the pages evenly amongst the 5 days, which means you should write and complete 1 page each day. 

This schedule will not only make your long term goals achievable but easier and way simpler to work on.

A— Achievable

Everyone sets a goal with the intention of achieving that goal. 

However, we often don’t do it because we tend to set unrealistic goals which are rarely achievable. 

A business owner has 400,000 targets to meet at the end of the month but he realizes that with his effort and that of his 2 staff only, they would barely manage.

So to make his goals achievable, he will need more staff to achieve that monthly goal.

Achievable in setting a SMART goal is about going the extra mile in ensuring that everything needed to achieve that goal is in place.

R—Relevant

This is where you really sit to ask yourself why you set that goal, and what is the relevance of that goal? 

There are some things we do that may not be relevant at that point in time. But, because we want to feel included or we are just battling with misplaced priorities, we go ahead to place so much priority over something unnecessary. 

This is why it is quite important to actually identify the relevance of every goal we set.

T — Time Bound

For a goal to be effective, it has to be time bound. Set a goal and know how to achieve it before the deadline. Time bound goals help one to be on track with time. 

Time bound defines the limit or the available time set to achieve a defined goal.

This means that everything necessary has to be done to achieve your goals before that set time elapses. 

In addition, you need to master time management techniques to create an effective time bound event. 

Make a to-do list and mark out the most important ones, that way, you do the most relevant things first rather than spending most of your time doing the less important things. 

Also, placing importance and priority on things is a faster way to achieve them.

The Eisenhower Matrix guides you on which task to do before the other among your list of tasks. 

Eisenhower matrix categorizes tasks into four quadrants: 

1. Urgent and important
2. Important but not urgent
3. Urgent but not important
4. Not urgent or important

Outlining and marking out your tasks this way helps you focus on important tasks.

3.  Find Your Motivation 

Oftentimes, it is the motivating factors in our lives that pushes us far into self discipline without us realising it. 

Sometimes, what drives us forward is the fear of going backward—or worse, the fear of not moving at all and remaining stagnant. 

We may not always recognize it, but these subtle thoughts and concerns can become powerful sources of motivation. They influence our positive decisions, strengthen our self-discipline, and push us to keep growing. 

Each individual must identify what truly motivates them and learn how to use it effectively. For some, that motivation comes from books. If reading inspires you, you may find your motivation within powerful words and timeless lessons.

Take Simi, for example. She dislikes taking medication, but whenever she remembers how her health affects her mother and loved ones, she finds the motivation to stay consistent with her treatment. 

Get a mentor or a friend or even join a group that shares the same interest as you and hold you accountable for things you are supposed to do.

There is also something called accountability partners, these are people who follow up with your plans and ensure you follow them duly to achieve your goals. 

They could be your close friends, colleagues or teammates at work who share the same or similar interests in self discipline.

5. Eliminate Distractions 

Distractions are everyday obstacles we often underestimate, yet they come in many forms. 

For some people, it’s an addiction to movies, video games, or constant socializing. 

In today’s digital age, however, smartphones have become one of the biggest sources of distraction. Endless scrolling, social media, and constant internet surfing can quietly steal hours each day. 

Over time, this habit can significantly limit productivity and make it difficult to achieve meaningful goals.

To overcome distractions, start by setting clear boundaries for your phone usage. You can use screen-time limits or set reminder alarms to alert you when you’ve exceeded your daily usage. 

More importantly, eliminate anything that creates room for excuses and prevents you from getting things done. 

When you take control of your environment, you take a powerful step toward better focus, stronger self-discipline, and long-term success.

6. Writing 

Consistently writing can eventually become a part of you and your daily routine.

Small rewards reinforce positive behavior and make the journey toward personal growth more enjoyable and sustainable.

At one point in my life, I became almost addicted to a particular cereal. It got so bad that even when there was proper food in the house, I still chose cereal over a real meal. 

Over time, this habit made me lazy about cooking because preparing food suddenly felt like a stressful chore rather than a normal routine.

Determined to break the habit, my roommate and I created a challenge with a $100 pledge. We each contributed $50, and whoever could go an entire week without taking the cereal would win the money. 

That first week became our reward system for building better self discipline. As time went on, we increased the prize money and pushed ourselves even further. 

Today, I can go an entire month without that cereal—and I now cook much more often. This simple reward-based strategy helped me replace a bad habit with a healthier, more productive one.

8. Identify Your Strengths 

Identifying one’s strength as a writer is another powerful way to build self discipline as a writer. 

It helps writers in discovering their willpower and overcoming writer’s block. It is all about discovering yourself and making absolute use of the discoveries.

It is barely possible for one to excel in any profession without identifying their strengths. Identifying one’s strengths helps in mastering emotions. 

It also fosters the ability to build and master self discipline and maintain focus on their writing goals.

Final Thoughts on Ways to Build Self Discipline as a Writer 

Self discipline can be challenging, especially when you don’t have an accountability partner to keep you on track. 

However, its importance can never be overstated—because in the end, self discipline outweighs every difficulty you may face on your journey to success. 

While building self-discipline as a writer may feel tough, it is far from impossible. 

By consistently practicing the tips shared above to overcome indiscipline, you set yourself up to achieve lasting success in your writing career.

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