Finding Modern Day Gold: Unlocking Discipline

It’s hard to do almost anything without battling instant gratification. Time for lunch? There’s Doordash or UberEats to avoid cooking. Want to make a purchase but don’t have the funds? Credit cards or some Amazon pay plan is ready to help! Getting a good night’s sleep? Nope, going out with friends for drinks or staying up late gaming, both sound much better.

In an age of instant gratification, discipline has become quite the rare trait someone can possess. It’s easy to see everyone is chasing after this too, whether it’s widely followed motivation channels rehashing David Goggins content to “carry your boat” or programs like Andy Frisella’s 75 Hard. It’s hard to not want this either, a resource that empowers us to achieve goals, overcome challenges, or unlock our “full potential”. It’s like a modern day gold rush, everyone wants it, and you’ll find crazy people along the way trying every way possible to achieve it, and the people that do seem to amass a following of copy-cats trying to emulate it hoping for that shared success.

What Is Discipline?

I’m sure you didn’t come here to learn what discipline is, but I do want to touch on an important aspect to discipline, or specifically what it isn’t:

• Discipline is not motivation
• Discipline is not your willpower to do things
• Discipline is not your habits
• Discipline is not about being hard on yourself 

Discipline, quite simply, is the conscious commitment to consistent action regardless of your current emotions, desires, or circumstances. Unlike motivation, discipline doesn’t wait around for you to ‘feel like it’, but it’s the quiet determination that keeps you on the track moving forward, especially when you don’t want to.

Discipline isn’t rigid punishment or harsh self criticism. It’s rooted in self-respect and clarity. It’s understanding the value of delayed gratification, and choosing your priorities accordingly. Rather than hoping your habits automatically carry you through life or hard times, discipline actively creates, shapes, and reinforces the habits that serve your larger purpose.

In essence, discipline is the skill of choosing what you want most over what you want now, repeatedly and deliberately. It’s rare, challenging, but deeply valuable (modern day gold), where this foundation helps build lasting success.

Why Discipline Feels Elusive

Many people struggle with discipline, myself included, not because we lack willpower, but because:

We Overwhelm Ourselves

Trying to change too much at once, or setting unrealistic goals quickly leads to burnout. I’m sorry to say, but no, you cannot reasonably lose 100 lbs in a few months, and no, you’re likely not going to make a million dollars over the summer or within a year. I understand there are exceptions, but hey, if everyone could everyone would. When the bar is set too high, the initial burst of energy can quickly turn into frustration. Starting small and gradually scaling up is far more effective.

We Rely Solely on Motivation

Motivation is a fickle friend. It can inspire you one day, and leave you feeling completely uninterested the next. When motivation inevitably fades, action tends to disappear with it, leaving your goals stranded. Short of waking up to a motivation video every morning telling you “you have to want it”, discipline is here to help fill in the gap. Discipline enables consistent action even without feeling inspired.

We Lack Clear Priorities

Without a clear reason or a strong “why”, it’s nearly impossible to maintain discipline. Vague goals or unclear priorities can lead to confusion or, most commonly, distraction. Clarity in purpose acts as a powerful anchor, keeping you on course even when temptations or distractions arise.

We Fear Failure

Worrying about making mistakes or not doing things perfectly often results in doing nothing at all, or leads to one of the pitfalls already listed. Perfectionism becomes an obstacle rather than an advantage. Embracing mistakes as part of the process is critical. One of the most important points I want to make here is discipline isn’t about avoiding failure, it’s about continuing despite it, learning from each setback, and steadily improving over time. 

How to Unlock Discipline

Unlocking discipline requires intentional effort and consistent practice. Here’s how you can cultivate it:

1. Start with Your “Why”

Discipline becomes easier when you’re clear about your purpose. Why do you want to build discipline? Whether it’s improving your health, advancing your career, or strengthening relationships, having a compelling reason gives you the motivation to stay the course.

2. Set Small, Achievable Goals

Big goals are inspiring, but they can also be intimidating. Break them down into smaller manageable steps. For example, instead of saying, “I want to run a marathon,” start with, “I’ll run for 10 minutes today.” It’s more than just a “make it easy” approach too, research has shown that starting with small wins helps build momentum and confidence.¹

3. Build Keystone Habits

Keystone habits are small changes that create a ripple effect in other areas of your life. Examples include:

• Waking up at the same time every day
• Exercising regularly
• Journaling or planning your day

These habits create structure and pave the way for greater discipline. There’s a great article from Erin Walsh at Spark & Stitch Institute I’d recommend reading on this Why Small Changes Can Have Big Benefits.²

4. Create an Environment for Success

Your environment significantly influences your behavior. Set yourself up for success by removing distractions and making it easy to stay disciplined. Examples:

• Keep your phone in another room while working.
• Stock your kitchen with healthy snacks.
• Use tools like focus timers or habit-tracking apps.

Even the smallest changes can have a heavy impact on your productivity and ability to succeed.³

5. Practice Delayed Gratification

Discipline often involves choosing long-term benefits over immediate rewards. This has shown to have positive impacts on academic achievement even for children⁴, and is a great path towards building grit and discipline. Practice delayed gratification by:

• Pausing before making impulsive decisions.
• Rewarding yourself only after completing a task.
• Visualizing the long-term benefits of staying disciplined.

6. Embrace Imperfection

No one is perfectly disciplined all the time. Expect setbacks and treat them as learning opportunities. The key is to get back on track as quickly as possible instead of letting one misstep derail your progress.

7. Stay Accountable

Accountability can be a powerful motivator. Share your goals with a trusted friend, join a community, or hire a coach to help you stay on track. Regular check-ins and feedback can reinforce your commitment.

8. Reflect and Adjust

Take time to reflect on your progress. Are your strategies working? Are your goals still relevant? Reflection helps you refine your approach and ensures that your discipline aligns with your evolving priorities.

Turning Discipline Into a Lifestyle

Discipline isn’t a one-time effort; it’s a lifestyle. The more you practice it, the more natural it becomes. Over time, disciplined behaviors turn into habits, and habits become part of your identity. You’ll no longer see discipline as something you have to do, but as part of who you are.

In a world full of distractions and quick fixes, discipline is the ‘gold’ that sets you apart in a highly competitive landscape by naturally setting you up for success. By starting small, creating the right environment, and staying committed to your goals, you can unlock this powerful resource and transform your life. And please remember, discipline isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress and adjusting to setbacks as they occur, not getting lost in them. Dig deep, stay consistent, and watch as your efforts pay off in ways you never imagined. (And carry your boat when needed)

References