The 5 qualities of healthy personal discipline

Good, strong discipline has five qualities:

1. It’s your choice, in your control.
2. It aims at outcomes to accomplish, fulfill, or advance.
3. It requires upholding an intentional standard.
4. It’s high, focused effort.
5. It’s done with the most skill you are currently able.

That’s what it means to “be disciplined”.

Stay in control of your choice. Clarify the outcomes you’re trying to create. Establish standards that matter and meet them. Give your very best effort. Max out your skill.

It isn’t complex or confusing. It’s simple and clear. That’s why people feel intimidated. It exposes them to full, 100% responsibility for the quality of their discipline. There’s nothing complicated to hide behind. It’s so simple, there’s only two options: do it or don’t.

It’s your choice, your goals, your standards, your effort, and your skill.

Event + Response = Outcome. Do the work.