Discipline Is Overrated
Optimize for enthusiasm. Make as many choices as you can that leave you feeling energetic and interested. Pay attention to when you have the urge to pursue or participate in something and do more of it.
James Clear
Years ago, I made a mistake that taught me a lifelong lesson.
I’d chosen a topic suggested by my professor — something that seemed manageable but left me uninspired.
Each writing session was a battle, demanding every ounce of discipline.
Looking back, that struggle taught me a lesson more valuable than the project itself: curiosity, not discipline, is the true engine of productivity and fulfillment.
Since then, I’ve learned to prioritize passion over perseverance.
Life is full of must-do tasks: taxes, laundry, emails. But much of our time and energy is ours to shape.
While time management gurus emphasize schedules and to-do lists, other experts claim managing energy is more powerful.
But energy flows naturally when we pursue our passions, making it easier to stay productive.
When I’m curious about a topic, I can lose track of time. I might start exhausted, but the thrill of discovery recharges me.
In contrast, even simple chores feel draining when I’m uninterested. The difference? Curiosity transforms work into play.
Of course, discipline is necessary. Some tasks must be done no matter how we feel.
Even then, I can reframe the task as something I want to do. I can also gamify it by trying to perform it most efficiently or in the shortest time possible.
Children are the ultimate example of this principle.
Watch a child build a Lego castle or chase a butterfly — they’re bursting with energy, driven by pure curiosity.
Yet, ask that same child to take out the trash, and they’re suddenly too tired. The difference isn’t physical stamina; it’s passion.
Kids follow their interests without overthinking, a habit adults often lose.
As grown-ups, we have an advantage: we can choose how to spend much of our time. By recapturing that childlike zest — asking questions, exploring new hobbies, or reframing tasks — we can rediscover joy in our work.
Of course, enthusiasm alone won’t pay the bills or meet every deadline. But by prioritizing what excites us, we create momentum that carries us through less appealing tasks.
Discipline becomes a tool, not the goal.
Instead of forcing ourselves to “power through,” we can ask: What lights me up? How can I bring that energy to my day?
The next time you’re stuck on a task, pause. Notice what stirs your curiosity, even in small ways. Follow that spark.
You might find that the energy you thought you lacked was there all along, waiting to be unleashed.
Out now on Amazon: The Courageous Heart: Wisdom for Difficult Times, an Eric Hoffer Award Finalist. Grab your copy today.
