Why is discipline so damn difficult?
Seriously – why is it that even when we know what we need to do, we still find ourselves scrolling, binge-watching, or reaching for just one more chocolate biscuit?
Some will tell you it’s about willpower, brain chemistry, or resistance. But I think the real reason discipline is so hard?
Distraction feels amazing.
Think about it.
Distraction is instant gratification at its finest. It whispers, “Just five more minutes” when your alarm goes off. It convinces you “I’ll follow up tomorrow” instead of sending that email. It’s shiny, tempting, and always easier than the hard work of discipline.
But here’s the flip side: if distraction is all about short-term pleasure, then discipline is about purposefully delaying gratification. It’s not flashy. It’s steady. It’s not handing out quick wins, but it is the secret weapon behind those big, bold, life-changing goals.
Like writing a book. Landing a TEDx talk. Launching a business. Getting more leads.
These aren’t the kind of things you achieve by accident. They take time. They take focus. And yes, they take discipline. I don’t think discipline has to feel like a never-ending battle. You may simply need a strategy.
Flip the Script on Discipline
- Lock Down Your Goals & Your Why
Without clarity, distractions win. A vague goal like “grow my business” isn’t enough. You need a crystal-clear goal, a strategic plan, and a deep why that keeps you anchored when distractions try to pull you away.
For me, this has been a game-changer. Every quarter, I sit down and map out my Game Plan – not just big goals, but the micro-actions that will get me there. I do this with all my clients because a great idea without a plan is just wishful thinking.
- Ditch the Temptation
Willpower is overrated. The fewer distractions in your environment, the fewer battles you have to fight.
Phones get turned off. Email gets shut down. In Elevate, we have a weekly Hour of Power – a focused, no-distraction Zoom session where cameras stay on, but we’re all muted, working on business development and follow-ups. And guess what? When you know someone is watching, things magically seem to get done.
- Celebrate the Small Wins
Discipline isn’t about suffering. It’s about stacking wins. And I love celebrating progress.
For me, that looks like monthly rewards – sometimes a massage, sometimes a picnic at the beach. These moments? They’ve become my Glimmer Moments – the little sparks of joy that remind me why I do what I do.
The more you acknowledge and celebrate small wins, the more momentum you build. Progress compounds.
- Be Kind to Yourself
I used to be rubbish at this. If I got distracted or fell behind, I’d beat myself up, push harder, and try to bulldoze my way through. Spoiler: That never works.
Now? I’ve learned to pause, reflect, and even laugh at myself – because on the other side of every stumble is learning. My clients used to do the same – hiding when things weren’t going to plan, afraid to admit they were struggling. But I encourage to think about this as more of a clue to ask for more help, not retreat.
If you’ve been slipping, take a breath. Acknowledge it. And then? Get back on track. No drama, no self-sabotage – just a reset.
- Track Your Progress Like a Hawk
Want to know one of my biggest success secrets? I track everything.
Every. Single. Day.
- I track sales and cash flow daily. What we focus on grows.
- When I write my books, I track my daily word count. No tracking? No book.
- Every month, I track audience reach, referral numbers, and progress against my plan.
- And I even track the habits I want to change using a Habit Tracker that I review every single night.
Because here’s what I’ve learned about myself – if I don’t track it, it doesn’t happen.
And inside my Elevate and Inner Circle community, we take this even further. We have dashboards to keep everything visible – because when your progress is right in front of you, you stay motivated to keep going.
If you’re not tracking, you’re guessing. And guessing is a dangerous game in business.
Here’s the Big Question
Will you let distractions keep you stuck in a cycle of “I’ll do it later”? Or will you commit to the kind of discipline that fuels real, lasting success?
Your future self is watching. And trust me – they’ll thank you for the choices you make today.
Janine X