What is the meaning of discipline and what does it mean to be disciplined? Have you ever asked yourself this question? Can you answer that question? It is hard to perform something (discipline) if you don't know what it is or don't know the dynamics that makes it work.
I never liked most of the definition given to discipline because it doesn't explain how discipline actually works. Here are some definitions in a dictionary of what discipline means:
Discipline -
- Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental environment.
- Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self control.
- Control obtained by enforcing compliance or order.
- A systematic method to obtain obedience: military discipline
- A state of order based on submission to rules and authority: a teacher who demanded discipline in the classroom.
- Punishment intended to correct or train.
- A set of rules or methods, as those regulating the practice of a church or monastic order.
- A branch of knowledge or teaching.
So, knowing the definition of discipline isn't going to help you to perform discipline. Only by understanding how it works may help you perform discipline. So when someone tells you to be disciplined, you keep failing because you don't know exactly what you are suppose to be doing.
You might have heard the analogy that discipline is like a muscle. The more you use it, the more you build it and the more disciplined you become. I don't really like this analogy because it doesn't get to the root of how discipline really works
So let me simplify discipline in a simple formula:
Discipline = Getting it Done (Focus)
D = G (F)
Discipline is simply getting it done, just by doing it (just do it) you have performed discipline. To accomplish an objective is performing discipline. An objective to hit the gym everyday is to show you are performing discipline. Without any interruption to the objective. Accomplishing the objective without a halt. To perform discipline in trading is to accomplish your set objectives/trading plan/set of rules without interruption or derailing. Accomplishing (getting it done) an objective cannot occur without focus (F). You see, you focus your energy to get things done. Focus is the crucial factor in getting things done.
Here are example of failed disciplined:
Failed at losing weight: A person (bob) set an objective to lose weight. One of his goal is to not eat junk food/fast food. He failed because he ended up eating junk food.
Let's analyze what just happened. Bob couldn't get it done because of lack of focus. You could say he gave into temptation. Giving into temptation is losing your focus. Here are some of the things that were going on in Bob's mind (junk food taste so nice, hmmm yummy, just one won't hurt, a feeling of satisfaction). These are distractions that runs through his mind if he is not focused.
A person failing to exercise: I'm tired, I'll do it tomorrow, it's raining, it's cold, it's late, etc....
A person who is lazy: I'll do it later, I don't want to do it, I'm tired, I don't know how, etc...
A Disciplined person: Just do it.
This is the main thought that occupies a disciplined person and usually nothing else.
The bottom line is that a lack of focus leads to excuses and distractions, which will lead to unaccomplished objective (undisciplined).
To achieve Focus requires concentration not to get distracted. To achieve Focus you must eliminate the distractions. Lack of Focus leads to excuses/distractions, which will lead to unaccomplished objective. Getting things done requires a degree of Focus. Getting things done is discipline.
Discipline = Getting it done (Focus)
D = G (F)
When you break it down: Discipline has nothing to do with emotions, but emotions can distract/destroy discipline.
No amount of positive self affirmation is going to get you disciplined or get the job done. Actions (Just Do it) gets the job done... And actions are only triggered by a sharpened Focus (F).
