A life hack to be disciplined

After reading this post, we’ll see:

• Why discipline doesn’t work always

• What to do instead

TL; DR;

Focus on the pain. Avoid decision fatigue.Find a substitute.

It’s June already. How many of your new year resolutions are still alive?

In Jan, motivation is at an all - time high.

As time passes, it gets difficult to carry on.

Comfort becomes your friend.

Here’s the harsh truth:

Discipline does not work always.

What to instead?

1. Focus on the pain

Your bad habit is destroying you. Instead of escaping reality, feel the pain.

This is the crucial part. Truly feel the pain.

• Doomscroll = focus on how bad you feel.

• Overeat = focus on how bloated you feel.

• Lying = focus on how miserable it feels.

Being aware of the pain = you’ll drop the habit ( without discipline ).

2. Avoid decision fatigue

Your environment shapes your reality. Each bad habit starts cos it’s readily accessible.

So you make a decision = do it or don’t. Guess what happens 100% of the time?

Solution = get rid of the object.

• Lock your phone in another room.

• Tell your girlfriend to hide the video game controller.

• Get rid of junk food from your house.

3. Find a substitute

Every bad habit satisfies you in some way. By numbing discomfort or by creating a new reality.

Ask yourself honestly - what feeling is the habit really giving you?

e.g. video game = a distraction, a new reality.

Now look for other things you love that give you the same feeling.

Basketball ? Martial arts?

Bonus = be gentle on yourself

Shaming yourself = not a good idea.

It’ll create a vicious cycle. You’ll get right back to that bad habit.

Be gentle on yourself. We’re all human.

And are fighting against multi - billion $ corporations whose aim = keeping you hooked.

Like an addict.

I learnt these from Joe Hudson. He’s a former VC and coach. And has an amazing podcast.

That’s it!!

I hope these ideas help you become disciplined ( without being disciplined) . If you found this helpful, share with someone who will benefit.

P.S: Did you like this idea? Let me know. I personally respond to each mail.