When I was a kid, I practiced Taekwondo. It is something I’d like to get into again, but not necessarily for the fighting or defensive aspects. While physical exercise and self-defense are certainly a bonus, the real gem of the practice is discipline training. As a child, self-discipline was hammered into my head, but it went on hiatus somewhere in my late teens.

Today, I just want to muse on discipline. I believe it is something seriously lacking in much of our society. On the flipside of that, I think many people bastardize the practice, worshipping the productivity that supreme discipline brings to a toxic degree. Remember this: you are worth more than what you produce, and productivity is not the only worthy virtue in this life. But it is important. And constructive productivity begins with discipline and balance.

Discipline is self-control and the adherence to a practice or rigor intended to correct, mold, or perfect some skill or action. This is a definition that I’ve crafted myself, so feel free to let me know if you disagree. Often these practices are mental and minor, like maintaining a routine to maximize efficiency or reciting mantras at prescribed time every day. Discipline can be achieved in a gamut of different ways across the spectrum of life, from the professional sphere to that of pleasure.

But why is it so hard to practice discipline when it comes to work and its affairs?

Because work isn’t the fun part of everyone’s lives. While many of us don’t mind our work, a huge amount of folks very much live for the weekend, i.e., their time off. You are more likely to do something you have a positive association with. Without an external pressure (usually pay/affording your lifestyle) many of us wouldn’t have the discipline to do the work necessary to maintain said employment.

Turning to the creative sphere, I think discipline is the most difficult and essential thing to foster. Choosing to spend free time to work instead of gaming, reading, lounging, etc. is a tough decision.

And here’s a hot take: creative discipline is even harder when you like your partner. Sounds a little crass but stick with me here lol.

My partner and I are absolute best friends. Sounds cliche, but I don’t care. I would spend every minute of every day just hanging out and talking with her. We laugh, we argue, we learn, we play games, and do most everything together. And being a loving husband is incredibly important to me. But my creative discipline plummets when we’re together, because I will always rather hang out with her than do anything else. Full stop.

So, what’s my work around? For starters, time blocking has been essential. I’m lucky to find myself in a period of creative growth in my life — the next three years of my professional life are entirely dedicated to writing, learning, teaching, and creating. I understand this is a blessing, and I’m not here to waste it. I schedule the bulk of my creative work for the hours when my wife is not home, that way our rest and relaxation overlaps when she returns.

Right when she leaves in the mornings, that’s when I’ll start my productivity procrastination. I’ll do the chores, fold the laundry, walk and train the dogs, do any cooking we need, etc. When that ends, there’s nothing left but the work I’m avoiding. This usually leaves me with six to seven hours of valid working time.

Some days I just read or play games. Why do you think I’m writing about discipline lol? This is the biggest struggle facing those who lack discipline, because we live in the most distracting era of all time. At your fingertips right now, there are a million and one things more interesting for you to do in the immediate moment than work. I think many people choose the immediate gratification over and over and over, feel bad about it, and lash out at the world for their own lack of control. It manifests in hundreds of ways across the political spectrum of first-world society. It takes real work to focus on work that isn’t immediately gratifying.

To help with this, I suggest priming your environment for success. Remove immediate distractions that you know you’re too weak to quit doing once you start. Scrolling is probably the most dangerous modern enemy here, with Instagram, Reddit, Facebook, TikTok and everything else literally designed to hold your attention through a constant dopamine drip. I also like to put little reminders and quotes within sight, things that keep me returning to the work when I feel like it is time for a break.

I’m trying to keep these under an hour to write, so I’m going to cut this off. But I’m dipping my toes into honing my discipline, and I think it is something that sets people apart. The best part about it, is that anyone can build it through practice, and it is truly the difference between finding success in your chosen practice and just spinning the wheels. Have a fabulous night or day, and remember to give yourself permission to be creative.

Stay frosty,

Kbat