The Discipline Trap
You’re probably more disciplined than you think.
Take a few minutes and review all the things you do (almost) every day.
Get up on time, feed/walk the pets, eat breakfast, dress appropriately, ensure family gets what they need to start the day, deodorant, brush hair and teeth, start work when you should…
Let alone the myriad of life logistics you handle (errands, bills, hobbies, exercise, chores…).
For many years I’ve been quietly frustrated by how so many life and leadership experts suggest we should be improving ourselves. So often all that’s really being offered is some variation of “Be More Disciplined”. It’s guilt-inducing and exhausting.
The leaders and teams I work with are highly productive. They know how to get stuff done. In many cases they grind out enormous activity from limited resources.
And almost all of them feel like they aren’t disciplined enough.
Is that really all we have to offer? Do more, work more, be smarter, use another system, set better goals, focus on efficiency, accountability, productivity, priority, clarity, …
What about HUMANITY?
It’s not that I don’t value self-discipline. Of course it’s important to be able to set priorities and stick with them. I spend lots of time working on all those things with my clients and myself.
It’s just not the only thing.
Leadership is not a mechanical process. It involves some aspects of artistry, creativity, and intuition. And those things don’t thrive under increased scrutiny and constantly escalating demands. (Yes, I am aware that “creativity loves constaints”, but most of us have plenty of constraints already).
We need some space. Some decompression. Some play, rest, and inspiration. And not just in our time off.
If you are feeling stuck in any area despite your best efforts it is possible that a more focussed approach will help you reach the next level. Discipline may be beneficial. But its also very possible that what you really need is permission and support to dial things back a little bit, free yourself up, and discover another way that actually suits the particular reality of you.
Give it a try. You can always find some expert to give you a more detailed, more demanding, more driven system if it doesn’t work.
Contact me if I can be helpful to you and/or your organization.
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