OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This ESL lesson plan on self-discipline offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for advanced C1 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss self-discipline and personal experiences, including mindset and habits.
• Explore quotes and vocabulary to describe self-discipline and related behaviors.
• Watch a video on Campbell’s mindset method and answer comprehension questions.
• Practice using target language for reflecting on routines, strategies, and challenges.
• Apply insights to real-life situations through a self-discipline workshop and discussion.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

Students start by examining quotes from famous thinkers and leaders on self-discipline. They explain the meaning of each quote and discuss which ones resonate most with them, linking the ideas to personal experience.

Next, students answer guided discussion questions about the importance of self-discipline, reasons why it can be challenging, and ways to cultivate it in both mindset and daily habits.

Finally, students analyze short scenarios of people struggling with self-discipline, completing sentences with nouns such as “accountability,” “resistance,” or “cues.” They offer advice and reflect on whether they relate to these situations, setting a foundation for understanding the topic before watching the video.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

Students watch a video where Campbell shares his method for building self-discipline, including reframing discipline as self-love, creating a disciplined identity, and using environmental cues to stay on track.

During viewing, students complete activities such as filling in missing words for each step, answering short-answer questions, and analyzing images that illustrate environmental strategies. They track how Campbell applies self-discipline in his life and relate these strategies to famous examples like Will Smith and Michael Jordan.

Students also fill gaps and match solutions and examples for Campbell’s later steps, including having a good system to start tasks, building methods for maintaining consistency, and practicing small actions that train persistence.

VIEWING FOLLOW-UP

Students discuss how relatable they find Campbell’s insights and reflect on their own self-discipline. They share challenges they face and strategies they currently use to stay consistent.

They then analyze the second half of the video, matching solutions and examples for steps 5–7, and discuss which strategies they think would be most useful or hardest to implement in their own lives. This section develops critical thinking and encourages students to connect the content to personal experience.

THE SELF-DISCIPLINE WORKSHOP: BECOME YOUR BEST SELF

Students work individually to reflect on areas of their lives where they want to strengthen self-discipline. Using a visual mindmap, they explore categories such as self-love, starting systems, environment cues, routines, identity, and micro-actions. For each branch, they identify what they already do and how to implement improvements.

Next, students discuss their ideas with classmates or the teacher, exchanging guidance, advice, and strategies to overcome challenges.

Alternatively, students may choose additional self-discipline quotes, unpack their meaning, and connect the insights to Campbell’s steps. They consider which tips resonate, relate to their chosen quotes, and reflect on how they can be applied in daily life.