According to one of my favourite podcasters, retired navy seal Jocko Willink, hitting the snooze button can deceive us into thinking that remaining in the comfort of our beds will make us feel better. But nothing could be further from the truth. Developing discipline is all about doing the little things. Small wins can set the tone of our day, including the very first moment when our alarm clock goes off. Not hitting the snooze button is an opportunity to exercise our discipline and can be considered the first victory of our day.

Willink believes that discipline is one of the most important traits for success, and how we respond to an alarm clock’s ring is our first opportunity of the day to put our discipline to the test.

The benefits of not surrendering to the snooze button are endless. We have a greater sense of well-being, better cognitive functioning,

increased discipline and better self-awareness.

In the age of shortcuts and hacks, we’re often steered towards ‘quick’ solutions to our perceived problems. From cutting carbs to keto diets to flat tummy teas, the road of least resistance is what’s promoted time and time again. But what we often fail to realize is that there’s no easy way to achieve any desired result. There’s only discipline. Discipline, consistent effort and mental resilience.

So the next time you don’t feel like getting up an hour earlier to meditate, train,  write in your journal or do some breath work, just remember that our mood is a direct result of our actions and daily discipline equals freedom in all areas of our lives.