Looking for the best self-discipline books? I’ve got you covered.
The list below includes the top books on self-discipline and self-control that’ll teach you to cultivate discipline and accomplish your important goals.
Top 5 Self-Discipline Books
1. Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday
In a world of distraction and temptation, self-discipline is more urgent than ever.
Self-discipline enables us to set healthy boundaries and restraints, reach our full potential, and avoid misery and shame.
In Discipline is Destiny, Ryan Holiday teaches you the power of self-discipline and balance, warning against the dangers of the pursuit of pleasure and extravagance.
What’s in it for you:
- Principles of self-mastery
- Engaging stories and exemplars of self-discipline
2. The Science of Self-Discipline by Peter Hollins
Self-discipline is the key to achieving whatever you want from life.
Without it, goals remain dreams, despite your motivation and best intentions.
This self-discipline book delves deep into how we can resist temptations and work on our most important goals.
The book offers actionable, scientifically-backed ideas and a framework for consistently accomplishing what you set out to do.
What’s in it for you:
- How to scientifically build a disciplined life, harness the power of persistence, and never give up
- How to liberate yourself from excuses, laziness, distractions, and temptations
- How to tap into the limitless motivation within you
3. The Power of Discipline by Daniel Walter
Skill, intelligence, and talent are important, but self-discipline is the solid foundation for achieving anything in life.
Self-discipline is not an inborn skill, but rather, you have to cultivate it.
The Power of Discipline offers principles for developing your self-discipline, moving toward your goals with determination, becoming unstoppable, and living the life you deserve.
What’s in it for you:
- How to master self-discipline by targeting certain parts of the brain
- Secrets to self-discipline from the Navy Seals
- How to build the common habits of successful people
4. Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink
Jocko Willink spent most of his adult life in the Seal Teams, where he learned his methods for success.
In this self-discipline book, Willink discusses the physical and mental disciplines he imposes on himself to achieve freedom in all areas of his life.
What’s in it for you:
- How to become smarter, stronger, and healthier
- Strategies for overcoming weakness, fear, and procrastination
- Workouts, sleep habits, and diets for optimizing your performance
5. Mindful Self-Discipline by Giovanni Dienstmann
There’s one skill that’s crucial to living a purposeful life, adopting good habits, and accomplishing your goals: self-discipline.
In this self-discipline book, Giovanni Dienstmann offers a practical guide to developing self-discipline in a balanced way—without punishing yourself or getting stuck in an inflexible routine.
Dienstmann emphasizes awareness and mindfulness as crucial components for building good habits, instead of willpower and forcefulness.
What’s in it for you:
- A gentler, more achievable strategy rooted in living a meaningful life
- More than 50 step-by-step exercises and over 100 illustrations
- Practical examples to help you implement the ideas in your daily life
Other Best Self-Discipline Books
In this book, you’ll learn self-discipline lessons from the Spartans and the Special Operations community, the masters of self-discipline.
It will guide you through the most crucial aspects of self-discipline and teach you to transform yourself into a powerful, self-disciplined individual.
What’s in it for you:
- The psychology and science of self-discipline
- How to build self-discipline
- How to improve your focus and concentration
7. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits offers a proven strategy for daily improvement.
In the book, James Clear will teach you to form good habits, eliminate bad ones, and learn the atomic behaviors that bring about remarkable results.
What’s in it for you:
- True stories that show how individuals have used small habits to master their craft and move to the top of their field
- How to design your environment for success, make time for new habits, and overcome a lack of willpower and motivation
8. Finish What You Start by Peter Hollins
Following through and completing what you start is more valuable than you realize.
This self-discipline book takes a deep dive into the science and psychology of productivity, accomplishment, and getting things done.
It explores why we sometimes get stuck and offers detailed solutions you can start using immediately.
What’s in it for you:
- Practical strategies for growing your willpower, conquering procrastination, improving your focus, and achieving your goals
- How to better understand your brain and instincts to optimize your performance
9. Self-Discipline by John Winters
This book presents the fundamental principles of self-discipline and tools that will change the way you think about yourself and your life.
What’s in it for you:
- How to build habits that enable you to do more of the things you love
- How to focus on your long-term goals
- How to adopt the success mindsets of elite performers
10. 365 Days With Self-Discipline by Martin Meadows
This self-discipline book offers 365 short, daily insights from the world’s sharpest minds, with commentary from the author.
The book aims to provide you with daily reminders and practical tips for implementing self-discipline in your life.
What’s in it for you:
- How to develop self-discipline and become more successful
- Highly practical daily self-discipline suggestions
11. No Excuses! by Brian Tracy
Most of us think success requires enormous talent or good luck, but many accomplished people achieved their success through self-discipline.
In No Excuses!, Brian Tracy shows how to achieve success in your life and work.
The principles offered in the book will teach you to achieve your personal goals, business goals, and improve your overall happiness.
What’s in it for you:
- How to be disciplined in all aspects of your life
- How to overcome excuses and laziness
12. The Practicing Mind by Thomas M. Sterner
In this book, Thomas Sterner teaches you how to learn almost any skill by learning to enjoy the process.
Sterner emphasizes the principles of practice and sticking to a goal till we achieve it.
If done properly, practice can become an enjoyable, fulfilling process that builds discipline and clarity.
What’s in it for you:
- Learn to be calmer and live in each moment
- How to enjoy the process of building skills and learning