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Stephen Williams, PhD

Are you disorganized, suffer from a lack focus or spend to much time surfing the internet and watching TV ?

Then chances are you have an issue with self-discipline.

In the Master Self-Discipline course you will learn how to build your self-discipline using time-tested wisdom and cutting-edge advances in neuroscience and psychology, presented in a simple and easy to understand way.

You'll learn the 7 key steps to help you build remarkable self-discipline without being overwhelmed, each step building on the last.

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Are you disorganized, suffer from a lack focus or spend to much time surfing the internet and watching TV ?

Then chances are you have an issue with self-discipline.

In the Master Self-Discipline course you will learn how to build your self-discipline using time-tested wisdom and cutting-edge advances in neuroscience and psychology, presented in a simple and easy to understand way.

You'll learn the 7 key steps to help you build remarkable self-discipline without being overwhelmed, each step building on the last.

  1. Your Own Worst Enemy
  2. Accountability is Key
  3. One Habit at a Time
  4. Simplify your Life
  5. Use Rewards
  6. Be Healthy
  7. Persist

The principles of self-discipline are both universal and applicable to almost any area of your life – in fact, you'll very often find once you tackle one problem area, the other areas seemingly get easier . Intrigued ? Find out why.

This is not your average course on goal setting or short-term fixes, instead this course focuses on changing behavioural patterns to help bring long lasting, if not permanent changes. Because without self-discipline, any goal is really just a wish.

In many ways self-discipline is the great equalizer. You may not have been born as bright, athletic or as attractive as other people - or even with as many opportunities, but with self-discipline you can level the playing field.

What do you get from this course ?

  • 24 lectures with over 3 hours of content.
  • 2 Ebooks to complement the course material
  • Many simple but effective strategies you can implement today to unlock your potential

What are the requirements ?

  • Fluency in English
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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn the 2 fears that hold you back and how to prevent self-sabotage
  • Apply the principles of self-accountability and accountability to others properly
  • Change one habit at a time for lasting change
  • Simplify your life and quickly build up your reserves of self-discipline
  • Understand how the brain uses the reward-habit loop to create new habits and curb bad ones
  • How to apply the principles of self-discipline to almost every area of your life
  • Grasp the importance of health in your self-discipline efforts through optimizing nutrition, exercise, stress management and sleep
  • Persevere through the inevitable obstacles you will face

Syllabus

If you struggle with self-control there's hope - you can build self-disicpline with this course

Pre-test your knowledge of self-disicpline. Don't worry if you don't do well !

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A quick over view of the 7 steps we are going to follow to build self-discipline. Each section builds on the last until we have a 'fool proof' approach to building excellent self-control.

Learn the value of forgiveness and taking personal responsibility

This is the most obvious reason we procrastinate - learn what is at the root of a fear of failure and how to change your perspective to avoid this pitfall.

The lesser known evil step-twin of a fear of failure is the fear of success. Is this trap ensuring you ?

How do you talk to yourself ? Don't tear yourself down all the time - watch what you say and use empowering language.

How to keep yourself accountable and on track.

This is one of the most difficult but fruitful strategies to building self-discipline. Remember the best things for us are not always easy.

People often fail because they take on too much at once and then fail miserably. This simple strategy 'one habit at a time' is the answer.

This is a great habit to get into and may be transformational for you. You've probably heard the expression "pay yourself first" with your money, let's apply the same mentality to our time.

The best way to simplify your life is to have a routine be it a daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly routine. This frees up huge amounts of mental energy otherwise wasted on decision after decision.

If you have a tough time saying no to certain temptations - use some common sense and simply try to avoid them. But if still encounter one, find out what to do.

The three most common temptations are:

  • Time
  • Money
  • Food

Here are a few practical strategies to handling these temptations.

The brain is amazing and seeks ways of making things simple. This is the basis of the habit-reward loop. Understand how this works to create new helpful habits, and although its difficult to break a bad habit reward loop, we can work around it. Interestingly, occasionally one habit, a Keystone Habit can lead to many changes quickly - learn more about them in this lecture.

Although most people are motivated by rewards, some people, especially high achievers are often motivated by punishments.

If you want to lose weight you have an issue.

  • In order to not eat, a dieter needs willpower.
  • In order to have willpower, a dieter needs to eat.
Learn important nutritional habits to support your self-discipline efforts.

Exercise has benefits beyond health - research suggests it could be a Keystone Habit that can have great spin-off effects in other seemingly unconnected parts of your life. If you are not exercising because of time or money concerns watch this lecture for a simple solution.

Stress can undermine your self-discipline efforts. Learn simple drug-free ways to reduce your stress levels.

Sleep is very important for self-discipline. Poor sleep patterns can reduce your motivation and energy levels, but also reduce your resolve to resist temptations. The key is to get a routine.

Dr. Angela Duckworth has popularized this important quality for success that we have probably underestimated. Find out what it is and how it can be developed.

Jim Collins thankfully introduced what has come to be known as the Stockdale Paradox in his book Good to Great. Learn the lesson that helped Admiral Stockdale survive horrendous conditions in a Vietnamese prison camp.

You have probably heard your parents say "be careful who you hang out with". Well they were right.

This is a quick recap of the key ideas we learned in the course and an invitation for more help.

If you want to learn more about how to get control of your health - here you go. Also included are some great nutritious recipes and some more effective exercise regimens.

This eBook will expand on some of the ideas briefly mentioned in the lectures, as well as some more practical ideas to help you manage your money.

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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Master Self-Discipline. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Master Self-Discipline will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Life Coach
A Life Coach empowers individuals to achieve personal and professional goals by providing guidance and strategies for self-improvement. This work involves helping clients identify their challenges, set clear objectives, and develop actionable plans to overcome obstacles. The Master Self-Discipline course is exceptionally well-suited for an aspiring Life Coach, as its core principles directly mirror the assistance clients seek. Learning to prevent self-sabotage, applying sound accountability, and understanding how to foster lasting behavioral change through "one habit at a time" are crucial skills. The course’s emphasis on the reward-habit loop and optimizing health for self-discipline provides a solid framework for advising clients effectively. A Life Coach must embody the very discipline they teach, making this course invaluable for establishing credibility and developing a systematic approach to client success. It offers practical, time-tested wisdom to guide others in mastering their own lives.
Career Coach
A Career Coach guides individuals through career transitions, job search strategies, and professional development, helping them achieve their career aspirations. This role involves motivating clients, structuring their efforts, and supporting them through difficult pivots. The Master Self-Discipline course is exceptionally valuable for a Career Coach, directly aligning with the challenges many clients face in their career journeys. The course's principles on overcoming procrastination, building "one habit at a time" for career growth, and applying "Accountability is Key" are vital tools for a coach to impart. Understanding how to prevent self-sabotage and helping clients "Persist" through job search frustrations are core to successful coaching. By internalizing these strategies, a Career Coach can provide more powerful, actionable guidance, helping clients not just set goals, but gain the internal fortitude to achieve them and make successful career pivots.
Wellness Consultant
A Wellness Consultant advises individuals or organizations on holistic well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional health. This involves designing personalized plans, educating clients, and motivating them towards healthier lifestyles. The Master Self-Discipline course is highly relevant for a Wellness Consultant, as it directly addresses many of the behavioral challenges clients face in adopting healthy habits. The emphasis on "Be Healthy" through optimizing nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep provides foundational knowledge for this role. Moreover, the course teaches how to change "one habit at a time" and leverage the "reward-habit loop" to create lasting change, which are key strategies for guiding clients. A Wellness Consultant who has mastered these principles can more effectively inspire and equip clients to achieve their health goals, understanding the deeper psychological barriers like self-sabotage.
Entrepreneur
An Entrepreneur identifies opportunities and creates new ventures, often involving significant risk and demanding relentless effort. This path requires profound personal drive, adaptability, and the capacity to navigate uncertainty and setbacks. The Master Self-Discipline course is profoundly beneficial for an Entrepreneur, as success in this role hinges on self-reliance and consistent action. The course's focus on overcoming procrastination, managing time effectively, and building "one habit at a time" directly addresses common entrepreneurial struggles. Learning to "simplify your life" through routines and boundaries can optimize productivity, while understanding the "reward-habit loop" helps in designing effective work patterns. Critically, the ability to "Persist" through inevitable challenges and apply self-accountability, as taught by the course, is fundamental to an Entrepreneur's long-term survival and growth.
Sales Professional
A Sales Professional identifies potential clients, builds relationships, and sells products or services. Success in this role demands resilience, consistent outreach, and the ability to manage a pipeline effectively, often facing frequent rejections. The Master Self-Discipline course is highly relevant for a Sales Professional, addressing core challenges such as procrastination on outreach and maintaining motivation. The course's focus on "Accountability is Key," establishing "one habit at a time" for consistent lead generation, and creating routines to "simplify your life" are directly applicable to sales success. The ability to "Persist" through obstacles and setbacks, a cornerstone of the course, is absolutely essential in sales. Understanding how to overcome self-sabotage and leverage rewards for consistent effort equips a Sales Professional to maintain discipline, motivation, and a positive mindset, which are critical for closing deals and achieving targets.
Financial Advisor
A Financial Advisor helps clients manage their money, plan for the future, and achieve their financial goals, which often includes budgeting, saving, and investing. This role frequently involves guiding clients to make disciplined financial choices. The Master Self-Discipline course is particularly relevant for a Financial Advisor, as poor money habits are explicitly mentioned as a problem it addresses. The course teaches strategies like "simplify your life" through routines and establishing "one habit at a time" to build financial discipline. Understanding the "reward-habit loop" helps both the advisor in their own financial management and in counseling clients to curb impulsive spending or inconsistent saving. By mastering self-discipline, an advisor can better exemplify sound financial behavior and more effectively assist clients in overcoming procrastination and persisting with long-term financial plans, as the course provides modules on money management.
Author
An Author creates written works, ranging from fiction and non-fiction books to articles and scripts. This profession often demands solitary effort, creative discipline, and the ability to maintain consistent output over extended periods. The Master Self-Discipline course is highly beneficial for an aspiring Author, as consistent writing often battles procrastination and a lack of focus. The course’s structured approach to overcoming self-sabotage, establishing "one habit at a time" (like daily writing), and creating routines to "simplify your life" are directly applicable to building a productive writing practice. Learning to "Persist" through creative blocks and rejection, managing time effectively, and leveraging the reward-habit loop for consistent output are critical for an Author's success. This course provides the mental framework and practical strategies to transform the wish of writing into the reality of a completed manuscript.
Project Manager
A Project Manager is responsible for overseeing projects from conception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time and within scope. This role requires meticulous planning, coordination of resources, and consistent follow-through. The Master Self-Discipline course helps a Project Manager cultivate the unwavering focus and organizational prowess essential for managing complex initiatives. The course’s structured approach to "Simplify your Life" through routines and boundaries directly translates to disciplined project execution and preventing common pitfalls like scope creep or missed deadlines. Furthermore, the ability to "Persist" through obstacles, as taught in the course, is a vital trait for navigating project challenges and ensuring successful outcomes. This course helps build personal resilience and the systematic thinking needed to maintain momentum and accountability throughout a project's lifecycle, which is crucial for a successful Project Manager.
Public Administrator
A Public Administrator manages public programs, policies, and services at various levels of government or non-profit organizations. This role demands strong organizational skills, adherence to regulations, and the discipline to manage complex projects and budgets for the public good. The Master Self-Discipline course helps a Public Administrator in cultivating the focus and systematic approach required for efficient governance. The course's emphasis on "Accountability is Key," establishing routines to "simplify your life," and managing time and resources effectively are directly applicable to public service. Learning to "Persist" through bureaucratic obstacles and fostering disciplined implementation of policies, "one habit at a time," can enhance program success. This course helps build the internal discipline and structured thinking vital for transparent, effective, and consistent public service delivery, minimizing disorganization and promoting long-term impact in public administration.
Corporate Trainer
A Corporate Trainer designs and delivers programs to enhance employee skills, performance, and productivity within an organization. This role often involves teaching new competencies, improving work habits, and fostering a positive work environment. The Master Self-Discipline course helps a Corporate Trainer by providing a blueprint for understanding and teaching behavioral change. Many training objectives, such as improving time management, focus, or adherence to new processes, rely on individuals developing greater self-discipline. The course's insights into "one habit at a time," establishing routines to "simplify your life," and applying "Accountability is Key" can inform effective training methodologies. By understanding how to help individuals overcome self-sabotage and persevere, a Corporate Trainer can better equip employees to implement learned skills and sustain progress, ultimately driving organizational performance.
Operations Manager
An Operations Manager optimizes processes, manages resources, and ensures the efficient and smooth functioning of daily business activities. This role requires exceptional organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, and a consistent approach to workflow management. The Master Self-Discipline course helps an Operations Manager by reinforcing the structured thinking and behavioral patterns essential for operational excellence. Implementing routines to "simplify your life," setting clear boundaries, and fostering a culture of accountability, as emphasized in the course, directly contribute to streamlined operations. The ability to focus, reduce disorganization, and consistently improve processes "one habit at a time" can lead to significant efficiency gains. This course helps in developing the internal discipline required to maintain high standards, make deliberate decisions, and persist in optimizing complex systems for a successful Operations Manager.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software systems and applications. This role demands meticulous problem-solving, continuous learning, and often involves sustained focus on complex coding tasks. The Master Self-Discipline course may be useful for a Software Engineer in cultivating the intense concentration and persistence required for this demanding field. The ability to overcome procrastination on challenging bugs, maintain disciplined coding practices through "one habit at a time," and establish routines to "simplify your life" can significantly enhance productivity and code quality. The course's emphasis on persistence through obstacles and leveraging the "reward-habit loop" for consistent learning and development is particularly relevant in a field that constantly evolves. This course helps build the mental fortitude to stay focused, manage complex projects, and continuously improve one's craft as a Software Engineer.
Research Scientist
A Research Scientist conducts systematic investigation to increase understanding of a subject, often involving experimental design, data analysis, and publication of findings. This career typically requires an advanced degree. The work demands sustained intellectual effort, meticulous attention to detail, and persistence through often lengthy and challenging projects. The Master Self-Discipline course may be useful for a Research Scientist in cultivating the profound mental resilience and focus necessary for scientific inquiry. The ability to "Persist" through setbacks, maintain rigorous routines to "simplify your life," and manage one's time effectively are crucial for handling long-term research endeavors. Overcoming self-sabotage related to complex problems and applying systematic habit formation for literature reviews or data analysis can significantly enhance productivity. This course can help build the disciplined approach vital for sustained, high-quality scientific work.
Human Resources Manager
A Human Resources Manager oversees an organization’s human capital, focusing on recruitment, employee development, performance management, and maintaining a productive work environment. This role requires strong organizational skills, fairness, and the ability to lead by example. The Master Self-Discipline course may be useful for a Human Resources Manager in fostering personal effectiveness and understanding the behavioral dynamics of a workforce. The principles of "Accountability is Key," encouraging "one habit at a time" for professional development, and establishing clear boundaries within the workplace can be applied to policy implementation and performance discussions. Understanding how individuals overcome self-sabotage and "Persist" through workplace challenges can inform employee support strategies. This course helps build the disciplined approach needed to manage complex HR functions and positively influence organizational culture through consistent action and clear expectations.
Educator
An Educator teaches and guides students in academic or vocational subjects, fostering learning and personal development. This role requires patience, strong organizational skills, and the discipline to consistently prepare and deliver engaging instruction. The Master Self-Discipline course may be useful for an Educator in enhancing their personal effectiveness and indirectly influencing their teaching approach. The principles of "simplify your life" through routines, managing time, and building "one habit at a time" can help an Educator manage workload, lesson planning, and grading efficiently. Furthermore, understanding the challenges of self-sabotage and the importance of "Persist" can help educators guide students in developing their own study habits and resilience. This course helps build the disciplined mindset necessary for consistent educational delivery and for modeling effective learning behaviors for students.

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Explores the science behind habit formation in individuals, organizations, and societies. Understanding the habit loop—cue, routine, reward—is fundamental to developing self-discipline. This book provides a broad understanding of how habits are formed and changed, offering valuable context for building the consistent behaviors required for self-discipline. It's highly relevant for anyone looking to understand the mechanics of behavior change.
Provides a step-by-step program for developing self-discipline in just 10 days. It offers practical exercises and strategies that can help students overcome procrastination, break bad habits, and achieve their goals.
Examines the science of willpower and provides evidence-based strategies for boosting our self-control. It is helpful for students who want to understand the psychological mechanisms behind willpower and develop techniques for staying motivated and focused.
Provides a motivational and practical approach to developing self-discipline. It emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals, taking consistent action, and overcoming obstacles.
Is specifically tailored to the needs of students. It provides practical strategies for developing self-discipline in the academic setting, such as setting study schedules, managing distractions, and overcoming procrastination.
Authored by a leading social psychologist and a science writer, this book delves into the science of willpower, exploring its limits and how it can be strengthened. It's essential for a deeper understanding of the cognitive and biological aspects of self-control. The book presents research findings in an engaging way, offering practical implications for managing energy and making better decisions, directly relevant to the application of self-discipline.
Provides a highly practical and accessible framework for understanding how habits are formed and how they influence self-discipline. It's excellent for gaining a broad understanding and is often recommended as a starting point for building better habits, which are intrinsically linked to self-discipline. The book offers actionable strategies that are useful for anyone looking to improve their daily routines and achieve goals. It serves as a strong foundation for the topic.
Angela Duckworth, a pioneering psychologist, argues that grit—a combination of passion and perseverance—key predictor of success, often more so than talent. provides a deeper understanding of the psychological underpinnings of sustained effort and resilience, crucial components of self-discipline. It offers insights from research and interviews with high achievers, making it valuable for those seeking to understand the long-term application of self-discipline.
Carol Dweck's work on fixed vs. growth mindsets provides a foundational understanding of how our beliefs about our abilities impact our willingness to persevere and develop self-discipline. is crucial for understanding the internal factors that influence self-discipline and is valuable for all levels of learners. It helps solidify the understanding that self-discipline skill that can be developed.
In a contemporary context, self-discipline is essential for focused work in a world of constant distractions. Cal Newport provides strategies for cultivating deep work habits, which require significant self-discipline. is highly relevant for professionals and students navigating demanding environments and offers practical techniques for improving focus and productivity through disciplined effort.
A classic in personal development, Covey's book presents a principle-centered approach to effectiveness. Several habits, such as being proactive and beginning with the end in mind, directly relate to self-discipline and goal achievement. provides a broad, foundational understanding of principles that underpin self-discipline and is valuable for all audiences. It is often used as a reference tool and in professional development.
This ancient Stoic text offers timeless wisdom on self-mastery, virtue, and resilience. While not a direct guide to modern self-discipline techniques, it provides profound philosophical insights into the importance of inner control and rational thought in facing challenges. It's a classic that offers a foundational perspective on self-governance and is valuable for deepening one's understanding of the historical and philosophical roots of self-discipline.
Another foundational Stoic work, Seneca's letters explore themes of virtue, reason, and emotional resilience. These letters offer practical advice on cultivating inner strength and maintaining composure amidst external difficulties, directly relating to self-discipline. It's a classic that provides historical context and philosophical depth to the concept of self-control.
Drawing on Stoic philosophy and historical examples, Ryan Holiday presents a compelling case for discipline as a key to a meaningful life. offers a contemporary perspective on classic virtues and their application to modern challenges. It's valuable for connecting historical wisdom on self-control to contemporary life and deepening one's understanding of the transformative power of discipline.
Addresses the internal resistance that hinders creative work and personal growth, a concept highly relevant to self-discipline. Pressfield identifies this force as 'Resistance' and offers insights on overcoming procrastination and fear through disciplined effort. It's particularly useful for those applying self-discipline to creative or entrepreneurial pursuits and provides a unique perspective on the inner struggle for discipline.
Brian Tracy provides practical, actionable strategies for overcoming procrastination and improving productivity through focused effort. is excellent for gaining a broad understanding of time management techniques that rely on self-discipline. It's a useful reference tool for implementing immediate changes in daily habits.
Darren Hardy highlights the impact of small, consistent actions over time. This concept is central to self-discipline, as it emphasizes the power of daily habits and choices in achieving long-term success. provides a clear framework for understanding how consistent, disciplined effort leads to significant results and is valuable for motivating sustained action.
A foundational text in the self-help genre, Maltz's work explores the connection between self-image and behavior. It argues that improving one's self-image is key to unlocking personal potential and developing self-discipline. provides a historical perspective on the psychological aspects of self-improvement and is valuable for understanding the role of mindset in self-discipline.

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