“Discipline is doing what you hate to do, but doing it like you love it.” – Mike Tyson
There’s an overlooked element when it comes to discipline that most seem to ignore – when you are nourished, productivity and momentum happen so much more naturally. Sometimes, we might’ve been so undernourished for so long that we may not even remember what it feels like.
[consider sharing example of my first time bouldering, and how nourished I felt when I got home. A sense of wellbeing and peace. And from that state, productivity was effortless. I flowed].
So yes, raw discipline is important when we need to get things done and taken care of. And sometimes, in order to bring nourishment into our life, we might need to endure cold discipline to make that so. But, life also isn’t meant to be an endless “grind”. No. I will repeat – when we are truly nourished and feeling good, productivity and momentum will likely flow automatically.
You must identify where you’re at and what is called for. Sometimes raw, cold discipline is the way forward. Especially if you’re in the “pits”. You need to take charge of your life and push through. Take control of your life and pull yourself forward. Other times, you will magnify/amplify your productivity through allowing yourself to experience true nourishment. “Nourishment” likely doesn’t mean watching Netflix all day (who knows, maybe for you it does). It’s likely not gaming all day. You’ll know you’re nourished because life will feel brighter and happier.*
So – identify where you’re at and what is called for. Discipline and Nourishment are allies. Our discipline will free up our time which will allow for us to plan is and enjoy true nourishment. And nourishment allows “discipline” (or rather, action and productivity, especially on harder things) to happen almost automatically.**