How to build discipline that future you will be proud of

The ultimate form of self-love

June 03, 2024

Hello wonderful people.

Let’s talk about discipline.

The best definition I could find online:

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

- Abraham Lincoln

I’ve learnt that:

discipline = [ (consistency + obsession + enjoyment)*reward ] x self love

and

social accountability > discipline > motivation

Note:

Some of these will be contradictory. That’s ok. Take what works for you.

Actions:

  1. Drink water. Consistently.

  2. Get outside. Consistently.

  3. Exercise. Consistently.

  4. Get some sleep. Consistently.

  5. James Clear - Scale it down and do the easy version. Find different ways to show up depending on the circumstances, consistently.

  6. Mel Robbins - Pick one thing you don't like doing and do it. Right now and consistently.

  7. Robert Greene - Visualise, imagine, focus and feel the future reward consistently.

  8. Johann Hari - Practice single-tasking. Multi-tasking is for computers. Discipline may come easier if you focus on doing one thing right, consistently.

  9. Jocko Willink - Think of true discipline as cheerful, willing, voluntary obedience. Write out why you want to do X, even if you hate it at this moment, and refer back to it consistently.

  10. The Actions List - Draw up a plan B so you're prepared when the 'off day' comes along.

  11. Dickie Bush - Try social accountability as a forcing function of discipline. Commit to something publicly to force you into action consistently.

  12. Julie Gurner - Spend less time focusing on "discipline," and more time in things that genuinely pull you forward. The person who requires internal force, will always get lapped by someone with genuine drive toward that thing.

Quote:

In the long run, focus and discipline beat talent.

When people seem uncommonly disciplined, look for a powerful ritual hiding in plain sight. It’s not that they have more discipline than you or I, but they were able to turn that discipline into consistency with a ritual. Short-term results come from intensity but long-term results come from consistency.

- Shane Parrish

Remember:

  1. It's normal to find this hard.

  2. It’s a great day to start.

That’s all folks,

PJ