Self
Discipline

Ignoring Circumstance

Don’t just let life happen to you.  With discipline, you can transcend external conditions via your own internal power.

Doing It Anyway

If it’s important, motivation doesn’t matter.  Whether they feel like it or not, high performers do what is needed.

Taking the Next Step

Today, it’s so easy to get sidetracked.  Discipline helps you focus on the task before you and do it until it is done.

For discipline newbies:

Let’s start with the best advice up front.

Just get started.

Self discipline isn’t something you’re born with.  It’s something you develop and then maintain.  Sure, good parenting or joining the military can help you.  But it always comes down to you.

Contrary to modern rhetoric, discipline is one of the highest forms of self-love.  It is one of the greatest gifts you can give your present and future self.

Jocko Willink says:

“Discipline equals freedom.”

While this might seem counterintuitive at first, he is right.  Discipline lays the path to a life of true freedom.  You can count on it to propel you to get done what needs to be done, regardless of outside factors.

It may even be the only thing you can count on to do so.

Unfortunately, many of us have a negative association with the word discipline.  Part of that may be because one of its meanings is synonymous with “punishment.”  For example, we discipline misbehaving children. 

However, even when we separate it from that idea, it can still be seen in a negative light.  We often consider discipline in the light of doing things we don’t want to do.  Many of us see the idea as limiting and repressive.  This perspective invites dread and resentment, which can lead to different forms of resistance.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Instead, you can reframe the idea of self discipline in a more empowering way.

The key is to connect with your deeper Motivation and Goals.  That way, you can shift tasks to a more appealing viewpoint.

From:

Don’t want to do but have to do.

To:

Don’t feel like doing but want to do.

“Don’t feel like doing” is easier to overcome than “don’t want to do.”

This distinction is more insignificant than it may seem at first glance.  How we frame boring, tedious, or otherwise unpleasant tasks often has a major impact on how likely we are to get them done.  Sure, it still won’t make them fun.  But it is much more effective than telling your brain you don’t want to do them.

Ultimately though, becoming more disciplined isn’t really about feeling good.  It’s about becoming your best self.  And indeed, that overused (and misused) cliché of “living your best life.”

As Abraham Lincoln put it:

“Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.”

High achievers know that the ability to Delay Gratification is one of the best predictors of success.  Ironically, we live in a time when all of our desires are just a mouse click or smartphone swipe away.  In this world of instant gratification, self discipline becomes even more of a superpower.

Self discipline is the undisputed king among the Habits and Character traits of High Performance.  Self Control is the king’s brother and top advisor.  All other virtues are simply nobles in the royal court.  This includes Focus, Consistency, Accountability, Grit, Determination, Internal Locus of Control, and even the fabled Antifragility.

On the other side of the equation, Distraction and Procrastination cower in the conqueror-king’s presence.

Situation and circumstance are no match for discipline.

It allows you to transcend external circumstances with internal strength.  It is essentially the art of forcing yourself to do things, no matter how you feel.  This makes it one of the most effective traits in helping you Overcome Adversity.

Athletes, Entrepreneurs, and other High Performers know this all too well.

Self discipline often triggers an action-taking flywheel.  Once you get it started, it basically runs on it’s own.  This has a lot to do with how our brains are wired.

What’s more, discipline is contagious across different facets of life.  When you cultivate discipline in one area, it tends to spread across others.  That is to say, it becomes a part of your Self Identity.  You begin to view yourself as someone who gets things done and can be relied upon.  In turn, this encourages more Confidence and Self Belief. 

So start by making promises to yourself—then keeping them.

Admittedly, this is not always an easy task.  There is nothing wrong with starting small at first.  For example, if you want to increase your Productivity, you’re better off committing to 30 minutes of Deep Work per day than 8 hours.

Instantaneous radical change is rare, and usually requires a catalyst in the form of some crisis (ie. a terminal health diagnosis).  That’s not to say it’s impossible.  It’s just that starting off with more realistic targets sets you up for success.  Get the ball rolling first.  Then, build momentum to tackle larger challenges.

Over time, you’ll be amazed at who you can become.

My Discipline Posts