Every once in a while I’ll get the itch to play the guitar again. I’ll start by learning an easy song, play it until my wife wants to punch me, then abandon it. It happens every time.
I knew each time was going to be different. Then it wasn’t. Months later the guitar is gathering dust, again.
Why is this?
I listened to a podcast called 10X talk with Joe Polish and Dan Sullivan a while back and Dan said something that shocked me. He said discipline is a bunch of garbage.
To Mr. Sullivan, you can be disciplined but you don’t just get it at the store. It’s a description of someone that has formed desirable habits.
Whether you are a runner, writer, or worker, we all struggle from time to time. If you find yourself in the place of perpetual failure consider this. You don’t need to be disciplined. You need new habits.
Starting a new habit or kicking an old one can be extremely difficult. Here are three ways to help you make them stick.
- Journal daily progress. Make it simple. This doesn’t have to take you an hour.
- Ask a friend to be your kind drill sergeant and keep you accountable.
- Do it (whatever you want to form good habits for) with someone.
Kick discipline to the curb. Replace it with new habits.
