Build Self-Discipline: Timeless Lessons from Marcus Aurelius
If you want to master self-discipline, it’s worth listening to the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius. As the last of the “Five Good Emperors” of Rome, ruling from 161 to 180 CE, he compiled a series of personal writings known as Meditations. In this work, Aurelius shared profound insights on how to build and maintain self-discipline.
His words, penned almost two millennia ago, offer a powerful guide for modern life. Here are 10 key teachings from his work to help you increase your self-discipline.
1. Find Your Purpose
Marcus Aurelius once wrote: “I have to go to work—as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for—the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?”
He believed we all have a purpose. Fulfilling this purpose is our duty and the very force that gets us out of bed each morning. When you understand your goal and the role your actions play in achieving it, you’re much more likely to succeed. Self-discipline starts with a reason to act. If you have something you want to accomplish, don’t wait for motivation or advice—just begin.
2. Rely on Yourself and Create a Plan
Aurelius advised: “Make your desires like stone. Suppress your wants. Focus your mind on yourself.” Once you have a purpose, create a specific plan of action. This means committing to every small step needed to reach your goal and having the resolve to follow through, no matter the difficulty.
Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do what needs to be done, whether you feel like it or not. An effective plan should include a deadline and clear milestones. Breaking down your goal into smaller parts makes progress manageable, prevents you from feeling overwhelmed, and helps you avoid procrastination.
3. Show Up Every Day
As Aurelius said, “You must build up your life action by action, and be content if each one achieves its purpose, as far as possible—and no one can keep you from this.” Most of us fail not because of a lack of purpose or planning, but because of a lack of consistency. The key is to show up and put in the work every day, turning your actions into habits that eventually become automatic.
If you fail, don’t let it define you. Your ability to get back up and keep going is what matters. A bad day doesn’t have to become a bad week. See each new day as a fresh start and move forward.
4. Practice Voluntary Hardship
“Train yourself on small things, and from there, move on to what is more valuable.” Practicing voluntary hardship means deliberately making your life a little more inconvenient to strengthen your resolve. Simple acts like skipping a meal, taking a cold shower, putting away your phone for a few days, or sleeping on the floor can build the mental toughness you need to endure real challenges when they arise.
This training prepares you for hardship and keeps you from becoming soft. The more you voluntarily challenge yourself in small ways, the more resilient you become when faced with genuine adversity.
Summary
The teachings of Marcus Aurelius provide a timeless and powerful framework for building self-discipline. He encourages us to find our purpose, rely on ourselves to create and execute a plan, and show up consistently every day. By practicing voluntary hardship, accepting what we cannot control, and avoiding a victim mentality, we can overcome obstacles. Finally, by learning to delay gratification and reflecting on our daily actions, we can build the lasting habits needed for a purposeful and fulfilling life.
