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Ask HN: How do you cultivate discipline?
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Re: Ask HN: How do you cultivate discipline?
#2First let's define discipline. I will define it as 1. Choosing to take a desired action despite feeling like doing otherwise and 2. Refraining from taking an undesired action despite feeling like doing otherwise.
Having a goal around your actions is somewhat implied here.
So what can help us cultivate discipline? Well, each time you practice discipline you are cultivating it. So what can help us practice it?
1. Mindfulness; whether through meditation or other practices, practicing mindfulness can help you gain some distance from your thoughts and feelings and make a more reasoned choice to act towards your goals.
2. Environment; setting things up to make taking action easier (e.g. putting you shoes by your bed if you want to go running), or making things harder to do (throwing out all your junk food, not shopping when hungry)
3. Having compassion for yourself. You will never achieve perfect discipline. Realizing that you will screw up, especially in the beginning, and having compassion for yourself when you do (as you might have towards a friend who is struggling) makes it more likely that you will continue to cultivate discipline.
There is a good podcast that covers a lot of this that I think is well worth a listen. Don't let the title of it dissuade you; it is much more than just about depression and procrastination:http://www.myownworstenemy.org/podcast/why-procrastination-m...
Re: Ask HN: How do you cultivate discipline?
#33 (or so) big concerted attempts. So try fuck up try again etc.
That's what got me in the habit of budgeting/expense tracking and quitting caffeine.
Re: Ask HN: How do you cultivate discipline?
#4Maybe it's like becoming good at anything. A lot of practice, reminders, knowledge, coaching, feedback, patience, etc.
Re: Ask HN: How do you cultivate discipline?
#5Discipline is cultivated over time, and for me it is all about consistency. When I want to develop a new habit, I commit to doing it every day. The hardest part is just getting started The amount of time I spend on that task doesn't matter as much as starting the task does. One minute is better than zero. Over time, the time spent increases, and it becomes second nature for me to perform it.
gcheong's comment about environment is also spot on. Make it easier for yourself to stay disciplined. Reduce the amount of willpower/effort that it will take to start a task.
Re: Ask HN: How do you cultivate discipline?
#6Inspiring podcast on Cultivating Disciple by Jocko:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tE8kE8IfiY
https://www.reddit.com/r/getdisciplined/comments/5tln7k/meth...
Re: Ask HN: How do you cultivate discipline?
#7Make it a habit, ignore your emotional responses, and do the hardest things first.
Example: I've been going to the gym for a few years now. I don't have the best consistency for going, since I normally go after work hours. I found that by the time I was done with work I was tired and feeling burnt out from the day, and it was easy to skip going. I started making myself go first thing in the morning by waking up an hour early than normal and so far its working.
Re: Ask HN: How do you cultivate discipline?
#8Ask of others what you expect from yourself and be transparent about it. If your not a hypocrite, people will see the sincerity and either rise to the occasion or get out of your way.
Re: Ask HN: How do you cultivate discipline?
#9An interesting animated video on disciple:
Re: Ask HN: How do you cultivate discipline?
#10cultivate where, if you want to cultivate discipline in your team, you should start by cultivating trust first, which goes both ways, your employees need to know you'll always have their back... next step is lead by example...