I get what you mean, I work here, and I am studying at the same time, so I'm kinda self-employed too, and I know that without discipline I would not be where I am today. Not that I would be the most successful or something like that, just that this is where I wanted to be for a long time.
I love to take massive action in the mornings, even if I can't do it all the time due to my studies but I take full advantage of it when I can. :D