DISCIPLINE EQUALS FREEDOM
I want to focus this weeks blog on a quote from a guy I respect enormously, Jocko Willink. A little back story, I was introduced to Jocko Willink after listening to the Tim Ferriss show, I bought and read Jocko’s books, I was an immediate fan.
More recently, I was listening to Tim Ferriss’ podcast Tribe of Mentors. Tribe of Mentors is a podcast Tim started after the success of his book Tribe of Mentors, where he interviewed some of the worlds most influential people. It’s a great read, if you haven’t already. Anyways, Tim decided to turn the book into a podcast, he gives you all the good stuff in about 30 minutes as opposed to his typical two plus hour show length. The episode with Jocko Willink is incredible. Jocko said something that truly hit the nail on the head for me. “Discipline equals Freedom” – This philosophy describes my life to a T.
Let’s unpack this a bit.
We are in the age of WANT! Everyone wants shit. Yet wanting doesn’t get you very far — DOING is the only way to get from A to B. This is where the discipline piece comes into play. Everything I’ve done to date has taken incredible discipline, head down, all hands on deck, focus, and sacrifice. To go from WANT to HAVE, you must DO, and do means discipline. I have absolutely felt freedom from all the hard work I’ve put in.
It’s an interesting dynamic, let’s look at the definition of freedom – “The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.” The most typical place where we feel locked up is in our own heads. Herein lies the solution to this: discipline.
You want to get in great shape? There is only one way to do it, you need discipline to eat a healthy diet and get to the gym or out on the track.
There is no other way.
You want to be financially successful? You need the discipline to deeply focus and sacrifice some of the fun things in your life to get there. You want to have a successful marriage or relationship? You must have the discipline to consistently communicate with your partner…
You get it. To get to what you want, which most if us would compare to freedom, you must be disciplined. I truly love this philosophy, the dichotomy of it, and the fact that I know what it feels like to live it.
