Spring is the season of renewal, growth, and fresh starts. It’s a perfect time to check in on your habits and bring some self-discipline into your daily routine. As a wellness coach, working mom, and business owner, I know firsthand how easy it is to let life pull you in a million directions. But I also know that discipline isn’t about being perfect—it’s about creating systems that make your goals easier to achieve.
So let’s get practical. Here are 5 real-life, no-kidding strategies to help you build self-discipline this spring.
1. Start with the 4Ws and 4Rs: A Simple Morning & Evening Routine
I live by my 4Ws in the morning and 4Rs at night, and they help me stay disciplined without feeling overwhelmed. Spend 30 minutes on each habit and it will totally transform the productivity in your daily routine.
Morning: The 4Ws
✔️ Worship – Start the day with gratitude, prayer, or meditation. This keeps your mind focused and your spirit grounded.
✔️ Workout – Move your body in a way that feels good. It could be a 10-minute stretch, a walk, or a full workout session.
✔️ Wisdom – Read, journal, or listen to something that expands your mind (Bible study, finance tips, or personal growth content).
✔️ Work – Get focused on your most important task, whether it’s your career, business, or home responsibilities.
Evening: The 4Rs
✔️ Reflect – Review your day. What went well? What needs tweaking?
✔️ Release – Let go of stress through journaling, stretching, or deep breathing.
✔️ Recharge – Do something that helps you relax, like reading or skincare.
✔️ Rest – Set yourself up for quality sleep by winding down 30–60 minutes before bed (no screens, dim the lights, and keep a consistent bedtime).
These routines are small, but they keep me anchored, even when life gets busy.
2. The 3 C’s of Self-Discipline: Calendar, Cues, and Community
You don’t have to rely on sheer willpower. Build discipline by designing an environment that makes good habits automatic.
Calendar – Plan Your Priorities
- If it’s not scheduled, it won’t happen.
- Use a planner or Google Calendar to block time for workouts, meal prep, and self-care.
- Add reminders for things like water breaks or stretching.
Cues – Make Good Habits Easier
- Keep water within reach—at your desk, bedside, and in your bag.
- Lay out workout clothes the night before.
- Meal prep simple, real-food options (check out my Recipes page for quick and easy repeatable meals).
Community – Get an Accountability System
- Join a fitness challenge (I love Grow with Jo for fun at-home workouts, she on YouTube and I love her to pieces because she dances!)
- Find a like-minded friend to check in with you on goals. Now that the weather is breaking, I’ve got my bestie to do daily walks and we keep each other in check.
- Engage with wellness communities online for daily motivation. Join a community on my fitness pal or within your FitBit community, sign up for a wellness challenge, anything to get you looking at a target.
3. Mastering Food Discipline: “Eat Real, Move More, Hydrate”
One of my favorite mantras: “Eat real food, move your body, drink more water, and the weight will take care of itself.”
✔️ Follow the “Half Plate Rule” – Fill half your plate with veggies before adding protein and carbs.
✔️ Water first, coffee second – Make yourself drink a full glass of water before you do anything, let alone doing your first sip of caffeine.
✔️ Prep once, eat twice – Cook double portions so you always have healthy meals ready. This is my biggest struggle. If I don’t have food readily available, I’m reaching for whatever is available!
✔️ Keep healthy snacks visible – If you see it, you’ll eat it (goodbye, junk drawer). You can’t eat the junk if you don’t buy the junk.
For more real-food recipes that align with the seasons, check out my recipes for quick and easy, repeatable meals.
4. Move More, Even When You’re Busy
Exercise doesn’t have to be complicated. Small movements throughout the day add up.
✔️ Walk while taking phone calls
✔️ Do squats every time you use the bathroom
✔️ Dance while cooking (seriously, it counts!)
✔️ Park farther away & take the stairs
If you’re looking for fun and beginner-friendly workouts, I highly recommend Grow with Jo’s 20-10-5 plan.
5. Three Books to Help You Stay Disciplined
As part of my 4Ws, reading daily is crucial. Here are a few books to take note of as they’ve truly helped me change my mindset about my time, my inner drive, and change my focus. These books will help you build long-term discipline:
✔️ Atomic Habits by James Clear – Practical tips for creating habits that actually stick.
✔️ The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma – A game-changer for mastering your mornings.
✔️ The 12-Week Year by Brian Moran – Helps you break goals into focused, short-term action.
Final Thought: Discipline is a Muscle, Not a Punishment
Self-discipline isn’t about restriction—it’s about freedom. When you take control of your habits, you stop being at the mercy of procrastination, burnout, and bad choices.
This spring, challenge yourself to commit to one small discipline daily—whether it’s drinking more water, moving your body, or setting better boundaries with your time.
What’s one area of self-discipline you’re working on this season? Let me know in the comments!
