Discipline is Destiny by Ryan Holiday
đ Introduction:
Ryan Holiday is a writer and philosopher known for his writings on stoicism. He also maintains a significant presence on social media, which is how I initially discovered him and his books. One of his recent works, "Discipline Is Destiny," was released in 2022, and I purchased it immediately. However, it remained untouched on my bookshelf for 7-8 months until I finally found the time to delve into it. Here are a few of my thoughts on the book. Enjoy:
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đď¸Quotes:
To procrastinate is to be entitled. It is arrogant. It assumes there will be a later. It assumes youâll have the discipline to get to it later (despite not having the discipline now).
We must practice temperance now, in times of plenty, because none of us know what the future holds- only that plenty never lasts.
We must master ourselves unless we'd prefer to be mastered by someone or something else.
As they say, another way to spell âperfectionismâ is p-a-r-a-l-y-s-i-s (He is describing how trying to be perfect never works and it ruins our relationship with our work).
Why are we so damn unhappy? Because we mistake liberty for license. Freedom, as Eisenhower famously said, is actually only the âopportunity for self-discipline.
You have to do your best while you still have a chance. Life is short. You never know when the game, when your body, will be taken away from you. Donât waste it!
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đ Questions:
As I read the book, I found myself relating more to certain chapters than others. Following is a journal that I kept throughout the book, about my relationship with Discipline.
What does it mean to have a clean workspace?
I believe that our surroundings reflect our internal mental state. A clean room brings about a sense of calmness, control, and flow state within me. On the other hand, a messy or dirty room feels chaotic, anxious, and distracting. A clean workspace has a profound effect on the mind, and thus it is crucial to unlock our creative potential. It allows ideas to flow effortlessly, leading to enhanced productivity. I firmly believe it's always better to be inspired while working rather than forcing ourselves to do the work. When we love what we're doing, it automatically feels easier. We don't need to rely heavily on willpower to push ourselves through. Small things can be incredibly helpfulâgetting enough sleep, having a supportive social and familial circle, enjoying a good meal, and having a clean room or workspace. In meditation, there's a technique used to maintain focus on one thing, usually the breath, as it remains present and allows us to return to it whenever needed. It's natural to lose focus while meditating, but when we realize it, we gently guide our thoughts toward the breath. No intense concentration is required. Similarly, there are instances when we struggle to remember something (or execute a tennis shot), but by giving our mind some space, the memory returns (or shots improve). Calmness and a composed mindset are prerequisites for effective focus. Deep focus itself is soft and calm, akin to a smoothly flowing riverâalways in motion yet ever-present.
Why keep an eye on detail?
In today's digital age, particularly with the influence of social media, our attention spans have significantly dwindled. In a world where many individuals are engaged in superficial tasks, the value of deep work becomes all the more crucial, as brilliantly put by Cal Newport in his awesome book, "Deep Work." Merely skimming over things is insufficient if we acknowledge the significance of deep work in our lives. Paying attention to detail can be incredibly rewarding. Regardless of what we're doingâreading, dancing, creating art, conducting scientific research, or even doing household choresâwe can make it enjoyable for ourselves by paying attention to detail. Reflecting on my own experience during my undergraduate studies, I recall moments of frustration when I questioned the purpose of solving seemingly trivial problems. I have come to realize that having a negative outlook only begets negative outcomes, perpetuating the cycle. Every endeavor presents an opportunity to learn or just cherish something.
Why slow productivity is important?
The concept of slow productivity is truly fascinating. In our minds, we tend to view these two notions as oppositesâhow can something be slow yet productive? An old saying comes to mind: we often overestimate what we can accomplish in a week but underestimate what we can achieve in a year. Slow productivity, sustained over a long period, yields the best results. The key requirement is consistency. Success is almost guaranteed if we pay attention to detail, make gradual progress every day, and avoid distractions and other shiny temptations. Attention is the world's currency, and we become what we devote our attention to. If our focus is scattered, we'll lead a semi-conscious life, trapped in constant scrolling through the seemingly infinite content on the internet. The crucial step is to choose something, anything, and strive to eliminate distractions as much as possible. Direct our attention toward that one thing. Novak Djokovic exemplifies this approach. If you donât know him, Novak is the most successful athlete in the history of men's tennis. When he emerged onto the scene, the other two greats, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, dominated the sport. Although they would defeat him, Novak consistently reached the later stages of Grand Slam tournaments for years. Then, in 2011, he had an absolutely remarkable year and started triumphing over both of them in their favorite tournaments. Novak even holds the distinction of being the only player to defeat Rafa Nadal twice at the French Open (which speaks volumes about Rafa's greatness). To me, Novak epitomizes the virtues of slow but steady progress, patience, and relentless practice.
What is the best morning for you?
In my opinion, mornings are the best part of the day, and a good morning sets the tone for a great day ahead. So, how can we ensure we have the best mornings possible? Well, it all starts with prioritizing sleep. Getting enough rest is crucial, and it's recommended to aim for around 8 hours of sleep before our intended wake-up time. It's important to remember that the time we spend in bed doesn't necessarily equate to the time we actually sleep. Typically, we sleep around 85% of the total time spent in bed. That's why, if feasible, dedicating 9 hours to being in bed can be beneficial, increasing the likelihood of getting quality sleep, which has a significant impact on our overall well-being. Sleep isn't just important for feeling rested; it's also a crucial part of the learning process. When our brain encounters a challenging problem during the day that it can't solve, it works on it while we sleep. Our neural pathways reorganize, enhancing our ability to tackle the problem more effectively. This fascinating phenomenon is known as neural plasticity. Another key element in setting ourselves up for the best mornings is establishing a morning routine. For me personally, a good morning involves waking up around 6:00 am, going for a refreshing run of a few miles, coming back to enjoy a nourishing breakfast, and then getting ready for a focused deep work session starting around 8:00 am. It's important to note that a routine doesn't have to be rigid and burdensome; it can be flexible, allowing for variations from day to day. The essential aspects, as Ryan highlights in the book, include avoiding phone usage in the morning and engaging in a challenging activity early on, which helps set the tone for the day.
How can you do the job and wait for the fruit?
Having a central pursuit in life, something that we are truly passionate about can bring immense fulfillment and purpose. However, there are always expectations attached to our actionsâwe often desire specific outcomes. We study to achieve good grades and work to earn money, affording us more time for the things we love, like going on vacations. In meditations, Marcus Aurelius explores the notion of a unique form of vacation, emphasizing that we can always set aside a part of ourselves to seek inner peace and preserve the divine and pure aspects within us. The reward for our efforts lies not in the fruits but in the effort itself. When we fully engage in our work, there's no need to escape from itâit is what makes us feel alive. Prolonged periods of intense focus strengthen our minds and enable us to delve into deep work. Why not let our work become a constant amidst life's unpredictable fluctuations? The rewards will come and go. We should welcome the fruits when they arrive, but even if they don't, we will always have the work itself to fall back on.
The toxicity of ambition and life as an initial value problem
Is ambition a virtue or a vice? Like most things, it can be both, but our world seems to reward ambition. But what's the point of amassing billions of dollars if our lives lack fulfillment? Raw ambition can lead to misery. The key lies in moderation. Excessive indulgence in anything leads to indiscipline and unproductivity. Late at night, while working on code, I often feel compelled to finish it then and there. However, due to the late hour, my mind isn't at its sharpest. Surprisingly, when I go to bed and return to the problem early in the morning, it often appears trivial, and I can solve it effortlessly. Happiness and productivity cannot be optimized directly; instead, we should engage in activities we love each day, living a balanced lifestyle. Lately, I've been practicing an exercise that helps me cope with bad days. Firstly, we must accept responsibility for whatever is happening in our lives. If we're feeling down, it's likely because of some recent actions we've taken. Perhaps we stayed up too late the previous night or spent an hour on our phones after waking up. Whatever it may be, our current emotional state is a consequence of past choices. We should acknowledge that it's okay not to be perfect all the time. To counteract negative feelings, we can go for a run, eat something healthy, or spend time journaling. More often than not, engaging in such activities brings joy back into our lives and restores a sense of smoothness. This feeling is simply the result of doing good things for ourselves, and it will also fade if we stop engaging in these positive actions. Ultimately, life becomes an initial value problemâby setting the right initial values at time t0, we can improve our well-being at time t.
What are your energy vampires?
Energy vampires are things that divert our attention from our main focus. Not only do they distract us from our work, but they also drain our energy, making it difficult to regain focus afterward. With only 24 hours in a day and limited capacity for tasks, sacrifice becomes necessary. Muhammad Ali once revealed that the central part of his training involved avoiding nightclubs, parties, and girls, instead being alone in bed by 9 o'clock at night. These were his energy vampires. Once we embark on a particular endeavor, our primary focus should be establishing systems that ensure consistent dedication to our chosen path. Success in any field is almost guaranteed if we remain consistent, even with 3-4 hours of focused work daily. Social media is arguably the most prominent energy vampire of our age, enticing us with endless distractions that hijack our attention and tap into our primal instincts as we mindlessly scroll for hours. Whenever we feel insecure, social media is there to welcome us, to hijack our brains. However, social media can also be beneficial if we limit our usage to staying in touch with friends and family. As with anything else, moderation is key.
