best self-control and discipline books

Best Self-control and Discipline Books

We are not born with the ability to practice self-control. Many people spend their lives trying to develop this important characteristic. Psychology courses can help you understand self-control, and discipline books can help you learn how to react in a bad situation. Some people need psychology homework help on the basis that these books and courses can be hard to understand. 

We need internal and external factors to help us cultivate self-discipline. To make positive changes that get results, we need specific factors to arise. An essential activity to help you gain control of your feelings and actions is to read professional literature. Professional literature can help you develop yourself in more ways than you think, like:

  • Creating your writing style
  • Learning storytelling techniques
  • Sparking original ideas
  • Learning to succeed and avoid pitfalls
  • Reminding you that reading and writing is enjoyable

With so many books about self-control and discipline, choosing one can be overwhelming. 

What to look for in a self-control and discipline book

The sheer number of impulse control books you can find is staggering. When looking for a book like this, you can choose an appropriate one by asking yourself a few questions. Will you use it to create positive change in your life? Does the author get results that you want to see in your life? If you can answer yes, it means you can see the value in its writing. Go ahead and buy that book! 

If you need help to find good self-discipline books, then keep reading. We have a list for you. We also mention many great resources for studying and mastering self-discipline

Here is a list of books that will help you in harnessing your willpower. 

Books to help with personal growth

Not all of the books we will cover are not all paperback books. Some of them are personal growth ebooks. In the digital world of today, we must have electronic and physical options for reading. Part of discipline is doing work, but we can choose to do it how we want. Now, let’s get into the list!

  1. Eat That Frog
  2. The Power of Habit
  3. Mastery
  4. The Compound Effect
  5. The Marshmallow Test

We will tell you why each book made the list and why you should read it. 

Brian Tracy’s – Eat that Frog! 

Eat that Frog is a best-selling self-development book that was translated into more than 20 languages worldwide. It has the 21 most effective methods for keeping you on task when procrastination sets in. The author teaches us how to control our time and not let technology rule over us. If you are having issues structuring your day, the book can teach you how to do this. 

There are many benefits to structuring your day. First, it gives you time to plan for stress that might come up during the day. Next, it creates a context for the things you will do, saving you lots of time. Once you Eat that Frog, you can begin to understand the Power of Habit. 

Charles Duhigg’s – The Power of Habit


Charles Duhigg’s is a Pulitzer Prize-winning business reporter and author of this self-discipline book. In it, he shares the scientific discoveries that explain why and how we develop habits. Anyone who reads this book will learn how to be happier through self-discipline. The author outlines how we can stay healthy by creating the following practices and sticking with them in the book. 

  • Exercising regularly
  • Losing and maintaining weight
  • Being productive

Researchers at Duke University found that over 40% of your daily actions are habits, not conscious decisions. When you form a pattern, your brain becomes less involved in the activities you are doing. So, for most people, it is hard to maintain these habits. The study reinforces why we need self-control and gives you a reason to read this book. Once you read it, you can maximize your power and turn it into mastery.

Robert Greene’s – Mastery

Mastery is a unique way that you can have a fulfilling life. For this, you need to understand and use your potential to cover a wide range of topics you see daily. You can become a master of your craft, job and gain control of your life. To achieve this, you must work hard, but you will flourish. In Greene’s book, he outlines a process to help you become a master of your life. 

If you feel your job is not good enough or fulfilling, you may need a sense of purpose in your life. This book will help you make better use of the time you have on this earth. The more you take advantage of your time, the better you will feel. The effects will compound and lead you to a new level of feel good. 

Darren Hardy – The Compound Effect

The compound effect is known as the manifesto of self-discipline. The book tells us about everyday decisions that can make you successful or bring you closer to disaster. The book is gimmick-free. It won’t tell you that magic is the key to success because the author is a millionaire and knows it isn’t. What you will learn are some key fundamentals for achieving your goals. 

It is a New York Times bestseller, and while reading it, the author will help you chart your progress to reach your goals using the book. Making goals is difficult, but we must create a roadmap to success. We cannot win without one. If you think you can succeed without a business plan, the marshmallow effect will prove you wrong. 

Walter Mischel’s – The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control

The Stanford Marshmallow test is all about delayed gratification. That means how long we can wait to get something we want. It is self-control above all else. In the book, the author reminds us that all humans must learn how to control impulses. 

He also teaches us that an occasional lapse in self-control can be good.  At the end of this book, you will understand how to master self-control. It’s an important skill, but it is crucial for college students. 

College students must develop discipline

College students are very vulnerable to ignoring work. When you move to college, you get a taste of freedom. Understanding how to deal with pressure and prioritize your goals can bring you success. If you choose not to focus on your work and have fun all the time, your grades will start to slip. 

If you are struggling with staying on task, grab any one of these books and read it. You will be thankful that you did, and your grades will reflect the work you put into developing yourself as a person. Happy studying!