The concept of discipline has been hijacked by social media trends and flashy challenges. But beneath the cold plunges and 5AM routines lies a more meaningful understanding of what truly drives results. Craig Ballantyne, author of “The Dark Side of Discipline,” offers a refreshing perspective that cuts through the noise. His approach redefines discipline not as visible habits, but as focused energy directed at our most significant challenges.
Challenging Common Discipline Myths
Craig cuts straight to the chase about our collective misunderstanding of discipline. “What most people get wrong about discipline is where they start with what they define discipline as,” he says. The list of what discipline isn’t might surprise you. “Discipline is not about getting up at 5:00am in the morning. It’s not about cold plunging. It is not about working out twice a day.” He doesn’t stop there. Reading a book weekly? Not discipline. Training for triathlons? Also a no. Building a bodybuilder physique? Still missing the mark. Craig dismantles these popular symbols of discipline one by one, leaving readers wondering what’s left.
So, what is discipline, then? Craig boils it down to something refreshingly simple. “The ultimate definition of discipline is putting a level 10 effort into your level 10 problem. Everything else is entertainment.” We all have these level 10 issues lurking in our lives. “On the problem side, it might be a struggle in your marriage,” Craig explains. “It might be a struggle with alcohol, financial struggles, a business partnership struggle.” But it’s not all doom and gloom. “On the opportunity side, you might have an amazing real estate investment that you need to finish really fast, or a new business opportunity, or maybe you need to write a book about your life.”
Avoiding Productivity Traps
Here’s where Craig’s take gets uncomfortable. Those discipline practices you’re proud of? They might actually be sophisticated avoidance strategies. “All those other things I listed – the cold plunges, running long races, ultramarathoning, 100 push-ups in 100 days – all that stuff is a perverse form of procrastination.” The problem isn’t the activities themselves but what they’re replacing. Craig points out that “you’re chasing someone else’s definition of discipline, and that’s the least disciplined thing you can do.” It’s a bitter pill to swallow for anyone who’s invested heavily in these visible markers of self-improvement.
Finding Your Own Path
Craig’s solution requires stepping back from the noise. “What you need to do is step back from being reactive to the latest Instagram challenge and think about what is the race that you need to run for your life.” This might mean making choices that look strange to others. “Find your finish line and then go run your own race, even if it means running in the opposite direction of everybody else.” The crowd often heads in the wrong direction. “Stop chasing the crowd – that is the undisciplined approach to life,” Craig warns. True discipline means getting clear about your real priorities first, then taking decisive action.
Focusing on What Truly Matters
The path forward is about clarity and focus. Craig suggests you “get crystal clarity about your level 10 and then build the blueprint to put the level 10 effort into eliminating those problems or taking advantage of those opportunities.” The danger isn’t from obviously bad habits but from seemingly good ones. “They’re good things getting in the way of the great thing,” Craig explains. “If they’re stopping you from doing great things, then they’re actually a distraction.” Sometimes what looks like discipline on the surface is actually just avoiding what matters most.
That early morning run might make you feel disciplined, but if you’re using it to avoid working on your failing business, it’s just an impressive form of procrastination. Real discipline means facing what matters most – even when nobody’s watching.
Follow Craig Ballantyne on LinkedIn for more insights on discipline and success.
