Help Me, I Have No Discipline and Zero Self-Control: The Secret Formula to Breaking Bad Habits, Mastering Mental Toughness, and Reaching Your Goals

by Vaughn Carter

Achieve the discipline you've been wanting fast, even if you've given up countless times in the past - your solution is just a book away!Are you trapped in a vicious cycle of procrastination and broken goals?

Tired of the guilt setting in when yet another plan ends in failure?

Fed up with feeling like your dreams are always just out of reach?

Enough is enough. It's time to break free from the chains of indiscipline and unleash the go-getter inside you!

'Help me, I have no discipline and zero self-control' is your key to renounce excuses, keep commitments, and finally reach your goals!

Designed explicitly for adults who crave improvement, this book is your partner in becoming the one you who gets the job DONE!

Let's take a peek into the life-transforming strategies this book has in store for

Understanding Recognizing what self-discipline really means and debunking popular misconceptions can propel you towards a life of achievement and satisfaction.Conquer Master several scientifically backed techniques to wave goodbye to procrastination once and for all.Hone your Uncover keys to swapping unproductive habits with fruitful ones. All it takes is one simple change.Motivation maintenance Discover secret strategies to fuel your motivational engine and keep it running, even in the face of adversity.Triumph over Failure is just another step on your path to success when armed with resilient strategies.Controlling Learn to manage stress and prevent it from derailing your discipline journey. Improved mental health = improved well-being.Goal-setting Define crystal clear goals that inspire discipline and drive you towards reaching them.Navigating time Turn the clock in your favor with time management hacks and never miss a deadline again!The power of a 'No': Gain the skill to decline when necessary, without guilt or regret.Boosting Improve your self-esteem with practical steps and open up a world of self-discipline.For the A complete guide to balancing academic, personal, and social life for students fighting the battle of discipline.Bargaining with Strategies to prevent burnout from creeping in when striving for discipline and balance.The fiscal discipline A route guide to disciplined money management for healthier finances and a happier you!The discipline of Learn to shape a disciplined approach towards a healthy lifestyle, even when your motivation calls in sick!Journey through Comprehensive advice for navigating through setbacks, turning struggles into strengths.And way more!

You might be thinking, "I've tried self-help books before, and they haven't worked for me."

But this is different.

This is NOT just a textbook filled with theoretical fluff. It offers real, relatable, and practical advice that you can apply to your life—starting today!

So, don't let fear, doubt, or past failures stop you.

170 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2024

About the author

Vaughn Carter is a teacher and consultant, and the author of Help Me, I’m Stuck.


He is passionate about the power of the right mindset to change the course of a person’s life, and he channels this passion into his writing. His work explores strategies for changing your mindset to pave the way for success in any field, with a particular focus on women.


Vaughn has always been passionate about helping others and is driven to help other people cultivate a positive attitude and improve their lot in life. Throughout his professional life, he has always sought to boost morale on both an individual and team level. He is comfortable with using his own experiences and reflections to make others feel safe and help them make improvements in their own lives.


Vaughn has a firm belief that every experience is valuable, and that sharing them allows us to learn from each other to facilitate personal growth. In his work as both an educator and a consultant, he strives to learn from everyone he meets, feeding this back to others to allow them to benefit from a range of different experiences.


As the youngest of five children, family is important to Vaughn, who learned from those closest to him the importance of sacrifice and giving. He is a very sociable person and loves nothing more than to spend his free time with friends and family.

Reviews

[Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many people struggle with self-discipline and constantly find themselves unable to follow through on promises made to themselves. Vaughn Carter's book, "Help Me, I Have No Discipline and Zero Self-Control", addresses this common issue and offers practical solutions. With a focus on conquering procrastination, building productive habits, and staying motivated even when things get tough, the book presents a holistic approach to self-discipline. It’s designed to help anyone seeking real change, from exhausted entrepreneurs to overwhelmed students juggling multiple responsibilities. The ultimate goal is to break free from the self-imposed limitations that hold us back and become the achievers we’ve always wanted to be.

At the core of self-discipline lies the concept of willpower, which Carter likens to a muscle. Just like muscles, willpower can be fatigued if overused, but it can also be strengthened with proper training. Willpower isn’t fixed; it can be cultivated. The key to building self-discipline is understanding that factors such as stress, fatigue, and low blood sugar can affect our prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for self-control. Improving sleep, exercise, and nutrition can significantly enhance willpower. By being mindful of our impulses and practicing relaxation techniques, we can build self-awareness and improve self-discipline.

Environmental control is another crucial aspect of self-discipline. By minimizing distractions and temptations in our surroundings, we reduce the strain on our willpower. This could mean removing junk food from the pantry or keeping our phones in another room while working. Additionally, aligning our goals with our personal values makes it easier to stay disciplined. When our goals resonate with us on a deeper level, the need to force ourselves to follow through diminishes. For example, someone might find it easier to commit to exercising regularly if they frame it as a way to have more energy to play with their kids rather than just a means to lose weight.

Carter emphasizes that putting these strategies into practice begins with small, manageable steps. One effective technique is using "if-then" plans, which help manage tendencies toward procrastination. For example, "If I feel like procrastinating on my work, I will do just five minutes of it." Often, simply starting is the hardest part, and once we get going, we might continue working beyond those initial five minutes.

Another important component of self-discipline is cultivating the right mindset. Carter explores how adopting a growth mindset, which is the belief that abilities can be developed through effort, can make a huge difference in persevering through challenges. Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, those with a growth mindset view them as opportunities to learn and improve. Adding the word "yet" to negative self-talk can also be a powerful tool. For example, instead of saying, "I can’t do this," say, "I can’t do this yet." This small shift opens up possibilities for growth.

Reflection is another key tool in building self-discipline. Taking time to review progress, celebrate victories, and learn from setbacks helps us adjust our strategies and stay on track. Resilience, which can be bolstered through practices like mindfulness, gratitude journaling, and breathing exercises, also plays a vital role in self-discipline. Viewing scary challenges as exciting opportunities for growth rather than as terrifying necessities can also help. Facing fears diminishes their power over us and fosters personal growth.

Carter also highlights the importance of digital minimalism in maintaining self-discipline. Technology, while essential, can be an endless source of distraction. By decluttering our digital lives and only using apps and tools that truly improve our productivity and well-being, we can better focus on our goals. Analog systems like bullet journaling can help us manage tasks, track habits, and progress toward our goals. Additionally, prioritizing tasks using the Eisenhower Box method can help us focus on what’s truly important.

Managing digital distractions also involves turning off non-urgent notifications, limiting the number of open tabs, and using technology purposefully. Apps that block distracting websites or help with habit tracking and time management can be invaluable tools. By taking control of our digital environments, we free ourselves to focus on what really matters.

Carter delves into the importance of organizing our lives to promote self-discipline. From building positive habits to cultivating financial discipline, organization is key. Creating a morning routine that supports our goals, stacking new habits onto existing ones, and budgeting carefully all contribute to a disciplined life. Decluttering our physical spaces and maintaining a tidy environment can also have a positive impact on our willpower and discipline.

One of the most significant takeaways from the book is that motivation fluctuates. Instead of relying on constant high motivation, Carter encourages us to recognize when we’re in a slump and take small steps to move forward. Breaking tasks into micro-steps, changing our environment, and working during our peak energy times are just a few strategies for managing low-motivation days. On high-motivation days, it’s important to capitalize on our energy by tackling big tasks and making future plans. Reflecting daily on what worked and what didn’t allows us to stay flexible and avoid burnout.

Ultimately, Carter’s message is that self-discipline is a skill that can be developed with the right strategies. By understanding the science behind willpower, cultivating the right mindset, managing distractions, organizing our lives, and navigating motivation peaks and valleys, we can build the self-discipline needed to achieve our goals. It’s not about perfection, but about consistent progress toward a more focused and fulfilling life. With patience and persistence, we can break free from the limitations we’ve set for ourselves and unlock our full potential.

[Gohnar23 · Rating 1 out of 5]

OUCH ........THIS IS SOOOOOOO BAD,.,.,.,..,.,.,IN MY ENTIRE LIFE OF READING SELF HELP BOOKS (not because i actually needed help but i just want to know the culture between insecure people and how they're consuming these money grabbing books) CONSIDERING THAT,..,.,.,.,., THIS IS THE WORST BOOK OF ALL TIME


NONE OF THE ADVICES HERE ARE EVEN THAT UNIQUE THAN WHAT ALL THE POPULAR SELF HELP BOOKS ALREADY TOLD ME

[Sarah Cupitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading mostly to see if there's anything different on burnout prevention (at least it didn't mention god like some other self help books) Ultimately nothing new and revolutionary though

Notes:
- You can think of willpower like a muscle – if you have to use it too much and too forcefully, it gets fatigued.
- The prefrontal cortex, the area of our brain linked to self-control, performs less well under stress, fatigue, and low blood sugar levels. This means we can actually improve our willpower by manipulating these factors.
- If you frame your goals in a way that resonates with you, the need to "force" yourself to follow through diminishes.
- the concept of digital minimalism SOUNDED NICE

Eisenhower Box method (haven't used in a while so noting for later)
- The first quadrant is for tasks that are both important and urgent: These are your top priorities – think looming deadlines or crises.
- The second quadrant is for tasks that are important but not urgent. These tasks contribute to long-term goals and personal growth.
- The third quadrant is for tasks that are urgent but not important. These demand attention due to external pressures but don't align with your goals.
- The fourth quadrant is for tasks that are neither important nor urgent. These are often distractions or low-value activities.
- Your focus should be on completing Quadrant 1 tasks daily, while also scheduling time for Quadrant 2 activities. Learn to say no to Quadrants 3 and 4 when necessary.

[Kurumayu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars because at least this one didn't mention god.
Because I have neurological conditions (Adhd/autism) and I'm going out of a very dark time in my life, everyone is (and has been) suggesting me these kinds of books for nine years, as if it would help me in some miracle way.

Now that I got another sick-lay off and have time on my hands to read all the books I want to I decided, on top of finishing my pal, that I'd be infiltrating the self help books money grab. We had so many of them at the library, sometimes with page markers half through. While some have been at least a little instructive, I learnt nothing out of this book. I got it all from my introduction class in university and in various twitter threads (not a good sign) as well as other better self help books. It might help people really struggling with this issues like I used too (still am, lesser level) but these people would also benefit from a more complete book so they don't have to procrastinate reading more self help books and finally get the stuff done.

I've been trying various subjects - even writing when I was desperate, turns out, there's nothing better as trying by yourself, the only thing I got from that writing book is the money I got back selling it second hand. I'm glad I didn't have to pay for this one.

[Bianca A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comprehensive guide designed to help individuals develop self-discipline and achieve their goals. The book tries to offer practical strategies and insights for those struggling with procrastination, lack of focus, and unfulfilled ambitions.
Carter explains that willpower is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be cultivated and strengthened over time. He compares willpower to a muscle that can be fatigued with overuse but also strengthened with proper training1. The book emphasizes the role of the prefrontal cortex in self-control and discusses factors that can affect its performance, such as stress, fatigue, and low blood sugar levels.
The book encouraged me personally to refocus on the folowing:
> Embracing failure as a learning opportunity instead of a blockage
> Using habit stacking to build new habits
> Organizing finances tighter than I am currently through budgeting and expense tracking
> Maintaiining my decluttered living space to reduce distractions and stress, and in my case to save time while moving between shifts and my breaks.
Some other things were mentioned in the book, but I personally found them repetitive from other similar content and uninspiring.
For someone just starting out on lectures of this genre is might still prove useful so don't rush to throw the book aside without giving it a fair chance.

[Synthia Salomon · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Willpower is a muscle that can be strengthened with the right tools. Cultivating a growth mindset, regular reflection, and aligning goals with personal values are key. Practical strategies like digital minimalism, bullet journaling, and the Eisenhower Box method can help manage tasks and avoid distractions. Organizing various aspects of life, including finances and living spaces, contributes to overall discipline. It's important to recognize that motivation fluctuates, and different strategies are needed for high and low energy days. Understanding the science behind willpower helps in developing effective techniques. Environmental control and habit formation play crucial roles. Remember, self-discipline isn't about constant motivation, but knowing how to navigate both peaks and valleys. The goal isn't perfection, but consistent progress toward a more focused and fulfilling life.”

[R. Hollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful

The example in the beginning of the book was just for me, I swear-- about being unable to turn down a piece of cake. Chocolate is a huge part of why I chose this book. But there are so many relevant sections that even those who don't suffer from addiction to mint chocolate chip ice cream can find something. There is a section on procrastination, perfectionism, and work creep... Which are, in my experience, closely related. As an aside, I love how the book is formatted, although it took a minute to get used to the blank spaces on some of the pages. As I read on, it really helped to emphasize the section and break it into bite sized pieces instead of trying to swallow everything at once, anaconda style.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am writing this review based on having listen to the book instead of reading it.

The contents was good, but the part the distracted from getting the full benefit or absorption of the information in the book, was the cadence of the Reader.
The tone of his voice was monotone in that it was difficult to discern what was a section title.
It was easy to tell chapters because of the nature of how the book is recorded.
All the in between, very hard to follow.
It should be noted that I do listen to most of my books at a faster, speed, but this one here I actually went below normal speed.
Probably best to read the book in paper form.

[Marlo Cabanillas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for a "non reader."
This book had good information, just no new information for me specifically. It was like a crash course/Cliff note version of popular habit/brain books. That being said, I would definitely recommend this one to a non-reader. Get some quick meat without all of the bones (or flavor ha) .

[Rood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read on 81inklist.
A very motivating book. You immediately want to start trying out the concepts and putting them into practice.
I really enjoyed the omniscient laughter of the speaker in between.
So now I'm going to put my mobile phone down and start realising my small goals.

[Knox Isham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this on audible. Good tips and tricks to build good practices and stay disciplined.

[Cate Crandell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t finish this - I felt like I was reading something straight out of ChatGPT without any revisions (or maybe 1).

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straightforward common grace horse sense.

[Quinton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine but I didn’t learn anything