Do you find it hard to say no to instant or short-term gratification? Are you constantly questioning why you struggle to achieve your goals, and feel like everything or everyone is getting in your way? Like many other people around the world, you likely lack willpower and don’t know what to do to improve it.

A lack of willpower hinders your ability to make informed and positive decisions, ultimately leading you down a path you don’t enjoy. However, willpower can easily be improved with the right tools, resources, and information. It starts with adjusting your habits or adopting new ones.

Here are five habits to adopt to improve your willpower and maximize success in all areas of life.

Focus on Priorities First

Having strong willpower starts with understanding yourself and what you value most in life. The more you focus on these things and what value they bring, the less likely you are to give in. In other words, if you understand that instant gratification is not as rewarding as results are, you’ll become more motivated to focus on your priorities.

Set Reminders and Consistent Deadlines

A great way to keep these priorities at the top of your mind is to set reminders and deadlines where appropriate. A lack of willpower usually indicates that you lack structure. A proper and consistent deadline can mitigate the risk.

Keep It Minimal and Eliminate Choices

Don’t give yourself any other choices but to be successful. For example, if you are trying to eat a healthier diet, don’t buy snacks that will throw you off track. The fewer choices you have, the less likely you are to make a mistake.

Don’t Go Hungry or Thirsty

Dehydration and hunger can make it challenging to make the right decisions or be productive altogether. So always have a water bottle and healthy snack with you to quickly curb your hunger without having to go anywhere. But, again, give yourself fewer opportunities to make a mistake.

Practice Mindful Meditation

Another great habit to incorporate within your daily life is mindful meditation. With mindfulness, you learn more about your weaknesses and why you give in. It also reduces stress and allows you to build confidence from within. The more attention, time, and patience you give your body, the more likely you are to make good decisions and not let lack of willpower get in your way.

If you want to be more successful in life, improving your willpower is necessary. This can be done by slowly incorporating each of these five habits. Over time, you will see just how easy it is to say “no” to short-term gratification and say “yes” to long-term success and happiness.