Discipline Vs Freedom: The Great Irony
How discipline leads to one’s freedom
2021 was the year I truly discovered myself. The year whereby I dedicated my time to improve on myself.
I read books that I normally wouldn’t read — I’m simply miles apart from what would consider a reader. I listened to podcasts that spanned over an hour. I created and plan my personal schedule weekly.
Here’s my take on one of the most popular self-help books by Stephen Covey. Click to find out if the book is truly effective!
But like any overzealous individual, I ended up doing too much, too fast, and I suffered the lashing effects of burnout. The burnout eventually dampened my perception of self-improvement gurus and provided me with a newer perspective on these people. Hence, it inspired me to write about it!
However, during the days of feeling burnout, I remember surfing deep into the algorithm of Tiktok and seeing something which jolted me out of my bleakness.
It was one of those motivational short clips where this quote was revealed to me for the first time.
“Only the disciplined ones are truly free in life.”
At the first glance, it may not make sense. Well, it didn’t hit me the first time either. How can one be truly free if he/she is tied down by their endless schedule? To be exercising when you could be chilling on your bed. To be reading books when you could be reading the latest comic released by Marvel. To be waking up at 6 am by your high-pitched alarm when you could be waking up at 10 am naturally by the grace of the morning sun.
That seems far from being “free”.
But upon second thoughts and deeper reflection upon the quote, I had a revelation that spurred me to keep hustling.
It All Boils Down to Time Preference
In economics, Time Preference is the current relative valuation placed on receiving a good or some cash at an earlier date compared with receiving it at a later date.
Was that too complicated to understand?
To dumb it down for you, it basically suggests the amount people care about their present compared to their future.
Many things in life don’t make sense in the short term.
For example, when it comes to investments, it simply doesn’t make sense to invest only in the short term. Take Coca-Cola stock, ticker symbol: KO, for example. It is your typical Blue Chip stock where the growth of its price isn’t exponentially rapid — it is slow and steady instead.
If your goal is to make quick gains with your principal sum, investing in KO isn’t the way to go — you may be better off investing in a risky cryptocurrency project.
However, if your goal is to make slow and steady returns, while combating inflation at the same time, investing in KO is a fine selection.
The change in the meaning of the quote aforementioned only takes place if you think long ahead into the future.
Let’s reuse the example of stock investments to illustrate the deeper meaning behind the quote.
Imagine that there are two investors. One investor, named Gary, invested his sum into a startup company. The other investor, named Clarence, invested his sum into a high-growth company whose stocks grow 30% per annum.
Who do you think will earn more at the end of 20 years? Leave comments on who and why do you think so!
Personally, I believe that Clarence will have a clear advantage over his sum of money due to the guaranteed returns of 30% per annum. However, we cannot ignore the fact behind the explosive potential of startup companies. Although there will be mitigating factors like whether the startup will succeed, it will be insane if these factors are dismissed and proved wrong.
My Personal Verdict on Discipline
Discipline has been ingrained in me since young. Not to be rude but my mother is a complete neat freak and she expects me to tidy up my own room on my own accord daily.
To be folding bedsheets the moment I wake up. To be keeping my table neat and clean after usage. To be sweeping the already-clean floor every day.
After a while, as a result of being disciplined by getting myself to be repeating this process every day, it becomes a habit.
I see that most people often ask how do they change for the better. I would always tell one to be disciplined in achieving tasks that will lead you one step closer to your desired self.
Right now, I am aiming to become a more proficient writer. It’s easy to say but hard to actually execute. Change ultimately boils down to your actions. If you do not do anything with discipline, you will never achieve your goals. This failure will haunt you in the later stages of your life.
That, to me, is freedom being stripped from me.
Freedom is directly proportionate to Discipline in a more discreet manner.
Sure, it may first seem like you are being tied down to do things you do not particularly enjoy. But with time and discipline, the things you particularly do not like become habitual. That is the moment you achieve the freedom that is more profound and liberating: Emotional Freedom.
Emotions no longer hold you back from challenges. What was difficult for you three months ago became achievable.
The best-case scenario: You start enjoying what used to be uncomfortable.
You would be impenetrable at this point. Nothing in life can really stop you.
Of course, that is easier said than done.
But it is definitely not impossible.
We’ve seen David Goggin consistently shocking us with his daily ultra long-distance runs.
Little do you know that he used to be severely overweight and financially poor — with his insecticide 9–5 job barely paying for his basic needs. But today, with an estimated net worth of $4.5 million, he is an American Ex-Navy SEAL, Ultra-runner, and author of one of the bestseller books, “Can’t Hurt Me”.
If someone of that background can succeed in being disciplined, why shouldn’t you?
Hope you enjoyed this piece! Let me know how you feel about discipline in general!
I’ll be keen to reply to any comments!
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