Effective self-control is not just a notion; it’s a deliberate practice honed by those who seemingly thrive in every aspect of life. Over my years as a startup entrepreneur and developer of AI-based projects, I’ve witnessed this mindset play out consistently. Entrepreneurs, especially, need discipline. Without it, even the greatest ideas fizzle out amid distractions, stress, and the lure of shortcut success.
Let’s analyze the habits that shape disciplined people and how they secure sustainable wins. Drawing from behavioral psychology, neuroscience, and my own experience building startups and resilience during tumultuous market conditions, these practices are not magic–they’re decisions.
1. They focus on systems over willpower.
Systems are what separate goal-oriented thinkers from result-driven achievers. Routines, workflow processes, distraction blockers, these are the lifelines of highly disciplined people. Willpower wanes; structure sustains. For example, I created a gamified workflow in Fe/male Switch, where individuals rely not on gut feelings but clear, iterative feedback loops.
Setting time blocks for specific tasks and simplifying your environment (such as turning off phone notifications during deep work periods) can create immense productivity shifts. Studies, such as one from the University of Cambridge, show that individuals working within structured environments are 40% more likely to achieve their objectives.
2. They value consistency over intensity.
Sprint progress looks sexy, but disciplined people know that erratic bursts of action burn out quickly. Instead, they stick to manageable, everyday actions, realizing that the compound gains pay off. It’s less about scaling Everest today, and more about committing to a daily kilometer climb. I’ve personally witnessed startups thrive not by massive funding splashes, but by showing up, building market trust, and delivering consistently.
If you’re tempted to throw all your resources into one gimmick, step back. Invest in systems that support the long game.
3. They pause before reacting.
Mindfulness isn’t just trendy wellness talk, it’s a measurable way to avoid instant gratification. Neuroscience shows how emotional triggers activate the amygdala, steering people towards rash, impulsive actions. Disciplined individuals interrupt this loop by creating just enough space to make logical choices. For instance, I use a 10-second rule during difficult decisions in CADChain, pausing for deliberation instead of jumping in emotionally has saved my team from rushed mistakes.
This is particularly relevant to founders who face high-stakes decisions. A calm mind outperforms an impulsive mind, every time.
4. They embrace discomfort.
Avoiding discomfort is natural, but nothing breakthrough ever happened in someone’s comfort zone. Whether pushing through grueling deadlines, enduring a failed prototype, or handling painful rejection, growth always has its price. Successful entrepreneurs treat these pain points not as obstacles but benchmarks for progress. Think about it: how would a sportsperson build endurance without discomfort?
Like many, I used to avoid showing weak prototypes to stakeholders. But embracing uncomfortable early feedback transformed CADChain’s trajectory, allowing us to build features that actually delivered value.
5. They measure progress, not perfection.
People love ideal results, near-perfect launches or flawless pitches. But the reality? Every success story masks countless incremental improvements beneath it. Disciplined individuals break their goals into bite-sized, measurable steps. They focus on improving by 1% every day rather than aiming for massive breakthroughs.
For instance, I frequently iterate on Fe/male Switch’s training algorithms, adding improvements week by week rather than overhauling entire segments. This mindset, inspired by James Clear’s “Atomic Habits,” reduces perfection-driven anxiety and keeps momentum alive.
6. They link actions to purpose.
What drives disciplined people isn’t grit, it’s clarity in purpose. They focus not just on what they’re doing, but why they’re doing it. I noticed this among our Fe/male Switch users, women entering STEM-related entrepreneurship who linked their grit to real missions, like building sustainable tech or breaking gender disparities, often completed the program more successfully.
When your vision guides you, discipline transitions from being a burden to a natural response.
7. They protect focus by saying “no.”
This is one of the harder lessons to practice. Disciplined people know that every “yes” to a new project, task, or opportunity is also a “no” to their priorities. Boundaries safeguard productivity. Recently, I declined three speaking events in one month, not because they weren’t great opportunities, but because they diluted focus on one priority: scaling CADChain's expansion in new markets.
Use tools like Eisenhower's Matrix to assess whether activities are “urgent/important.” It’s surprising how many distractions pretend to be priorities.
8. They blend discipline with self-compassion.
Rigid discipline can lead to burnout and self-criticism. What sets apart sustainable performers is their ability to bounce back. I’ve seen talented people beat themselves up after failing minor milestones, only to spiral out of momentum. Disciplined individuals, however, engage their mistakes empathetically. They recalibrate quickly without anger, accepting setbacks as part of the larger process.
How can you practice these habits today?
- Start small. Build one habit this week, such as setting a consistent wake-up time or journaling two positive outcomes per day.
- Automate choices. Pick tools or methods to enforce systems, like Asana for team workflow or Freedom to limit your scrolling hours.
- Track wins daily. End your day by jotting down three things you’ve done well. This reinforces consistency-focused thinking.
- Commit to short-term discomfort for long-term goals. Ask: “Will this decision pay me dividends in five years?”
Mistakes disciplined people avoid
- Seeking perfection: They don’t aim to jump flawless steps; they aim to move steadily.
- Multitasking relentlessly: Focus divided across too many channels weakens results.
- Rigid rules: Seeing every slip-up as failure can erode progress. Discipline is flexible.
Discipline is valuable beyond theories, it’s an applicable skill, much like time or task management. As an entrepreneur, the ultimate benefit of integrating discipline into your work isn’t just seeing flashy, short-term outcomes, it’s knowing you’re shaping a resilient, adaptable self poised for long-term success. When I look back on my journey through AI development and navigating patent puzzles in CAD software, it wasn’t burn-the-midnight-oil moments that built my success; it was the quiet discipline of returning to the table, day after day.
If you’re searching for sustainable wins, the process begins today.
FAQ
1. What are some key habits of disciplined individuals?
Disciplined individuals focus on systems over willpower, value consistency over intensity, embrace discomfort, and maintain self-compassion. These habits are designed to foster self-control and ensure long-term success. Learn more about the 8 habits
2. How do disciplined people manage their time effectively?
They create structured workflows and establish time blocks for tasks, minimizing distractions like phone notifications. This structured approach can boost productivity by up to 40%. Discover time management techniques
3. Why is consistency preferred over intensity for disciplined people?
Consistency allows for sustainable progress over time, whereas intensity often leads to burnout. Small, repetitive actions compound into significant achievements. Explore why consistency matters
4. How do disciplined individuals handle emotional triggers?
They practice mindfulness, pausing before reacting to emotional situations, which enables them to make logical decisions aligned with their goals. Learn about mindful discipline
5. How do they deal with discomfort?
Disciplined people see discomfort as a benchmark for growth. They willingly engage in challenging tasks, knowing that success lies outside their comfort zone. Understand embracing discomfort
6. Why do disciplined people measure progress instead of perfection?
They break their goals into smaller, measurable steps and aim for consistent improvement, reducing perfection-driven stress. Learn about measuring progress
7. How do they link discipline to purpose?
Disciplined individuals connect their actions to a clear purpose or goal. This sense of purpose adds meaning to their discipline, making it feel less burdensome. Explore the purpose-driven mindset
8. How do disciplined people manage distractions and maintain focus?
They prioritize tasks by saying “no” to non-essential activities and employ tools to guard their attention, such as Eisenhower's Matrix. Learn to protect focus
9. What role does self-compassion play in discipline?
Self-compassion allows disciplined individuals to recover quickly from setbacks, treating these moments as learning experiences instead of failures. Understand self-compassion in discipline
10. How does discipline contribute to success in entrepreneurship?
Discipline fosters resilience and long-term focus, enabling entrepreneurs to navigate challenges, deliver consistently, and build sustainable enterprises. Explore discipline in entrepreneurship
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.