Discipline gets easier

It. Gets. Easier. Discipline. Gets. Easier. What seems so difficult right now, whether thats waking up early in the morning, or running everyday, becomes simple. Like clockwork. 

I realized this when I was reflecting on some old systems I had in highschool. Weeks when I was getting almost everything on my to do list done everyday. Sports, and academics with writing incorporated. And I realized that the reason it felt so easy is because 1. I knew what I had to do to learn every chapter based on the subject. And 2. I was in the habit of doing what 1. required of me. Like clockwork. 

The way you build that skill is by following through on 1. in action. Over and over. Its hard the first 3 times, the 4th time, it gets easier. And before you know it, it’s natural. It’s a habit.

 What helped me build this skill right now, when I was trying to make my mornings phone free before college, is reducing friction between me and an alternative. I have an interesting fictional book by my nightstand every night, I read a few pages before bed, and the next morning, I continue where I left off all the way to the toilet instead of picking up my phone. After I’ve put down the book and brushed, I’m too busy with breakfast and a shower to pick up my phone until I’m on my way to college. This is my routine now. I presume that soon I won’t have to read at night before bed to want to pick up the book in the morning anyway.

 Whereas, initially, picking up the book despite all this was still hard; the same way sticking to some habits even with all the productivity hacks in the world is still hard.

If you want to start going running everyday and you work from home, keep your running shoes and the rest of your gear near your desk, wear your sports tee and shorts first thing in the morning after a shower before sitting for work. Reduce friction, and besides that, stay disciplined. Start small, build the habit first.

But do the hard thing. Because, trust me, it does get easier the more frequently you do it. Have patience. Stay disciplined. And watch it turn into clockwork.