The Difference between Discipline and Control.
Effective work cannot be done without the other.
When we hear discipline, we automatically think of properly and nonchalantly doing certain actions. This type of mindset has been grinded into someone’s mind by the consistency of specific actions done repetitively. It’s usually thought of with a positive spotlight.
But when we hear about control, we tend to view it in a negative way. We think of control as manipulation for someone else’s benefit but never a way of our own benefit. Control is necessary when establishing boundaries and getting started towards the way of discipline.
So what is the difference and why do we need both of them?
Why Discipline?
Discipline, in the easiest way of describing it, is the specific action done for a specific event/reasoning without hesitation. In a sense, it's basically the automation of any system with specific boundaries in place for optimal efficiency.
So how are the boundaries created and why do we need discipline?
The boundaries are placed through the process of control, but we’ll talk about that in a bit. So why discipline?
Whenever we have those tough days due to external pressures, we tend to just want to escape, do something we like to do, sleep, eat, etc. Being in that type of mindset is essentially the ultimate killer of success. Now by success, it can be your own definition of success rather than society’s standards. But no matter what type of success you are aiming for, without discipline is basically gears turning without lubrication. Eventually, those gears will wear out and lubrication will be too late to fix the main core issue.
Let’s keep going with the gear analogy. The gears are set in place through control because it is necessary to be there with that specific size in order for the automation of rotation to occur specifically needed. Lubrication is discipline because it helps maintain that level of consistency for a prolonged amount of time without wearing off the gear and needing to reset the whole system if one gear is out of order.
Think of discipline as a mindset. No matter what you are trying to control, the mindset of consistency is needed in order for the hard work you have done for yourself to be maintained as long as you want.
So no matter how many enlightenment journeys or self-help work you have done for yourself, the mindset of consistency is there to maintain that hard work. Otherwise, the gears will be run down eventually and you’ll need to start from the beginning again.
Why Control?
Think back to those moments when you had a great idea. Did you capitalize on that idea right at that moment? If not, then you’ve not properly set boundaries up for yourself in order to take action whenever opportunities arise.
In some sense, control is a mindset but mainly a way of setting up boundaries. Control is needed because of our alter ego. Without proper boundaries being set, our thoughts and actions are done without thought or processing of any sort. And of course, discipline will not be available if boundaries aren’t set.
So control is really the initial phase of discipline. Control is essentially understanding the problem and knowing how to fix it. Then, boundaries are set to combat said problem.
There are 3 phases when solving a problem:
- Identification
- Boundary Setting (control)
- Consistency (discipline)
These 3 simple steps are what the core of problem-solving is. So make sure that the problem you are trying to solve has been identified where the source of it lies, and have a plan of action in place.
Control cannot be done without a plan of action beforehand. Control is there to just set boundaries up. Discipline is what lubricates the system for it to keep going as long as you need. But the gears turning without properly knowing what the gears are for is essentially doing something because it “needs” to be done without knowing why.
Identifying the Problem.
All journeys of solving a problem start with knowing and identifying the source of it. After that, with the help of belief and critical thinking, planning out a pathway to solving the problem is needed next. After all of this has been done, the action of control within yourself starts, followed by the action of discipline. Whenever identifying the problem, make sure to dive as deep as you can to try and find the core of the situation.
It’s going to be an exhausting ride but it will be a worthwhile one. Any journey that allows the growth of yourself is always a journey that should be presented with open arms.
Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you. — Walt Whitman
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