Ever wonder why discipline feels hard? The truth is that it has nothing to do with a lack of motivation or willpower. The real reason for your lack of follow-through is more subtle than that. Will there be days when willpower plays a role? Absolutely. However, real, long-term discipline plays off another trait. And in this article, I’m going to break down that trait.

And don’t worry if you don’t have this particular quality yet, because it is something that anyone can develop with enough time and persistence. Let’s get into it.

The Secret To Making Self-Discipline Easier

Long-lasting discipline has its roots in one thing. And when you get a grasp on this single variable, ironclad discipline becomes effortless. But before I tell you what it is, I want to share a quick story that will help give you some perspective on this topic.

170 Ibs At 12 Years Old

I was a fat kid growing up. At my heaviest, I remember being 170 lbs at 12 or 13 years old. And I got teased and bullied a lot in school because of it. I had always seen myself as the chubby kid. My family, friends, and even acquaintances all saw me that way, too.

It was like an endless loop, constantly reinforcing that that was who I was. Even in adulthood—through my twenties—I carried that label… Until I decided to make a change.

From Overweight To Athlete

At 29 I shifted everything about who I thought I was. It started with a simple (but committed decision: To start training every day. As of this writing… That was 5 years ago. I have literally not missed a single day of doing some type of physical activity since I made that decision on December 30, 2020.

As a result, I started to:

• Train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
• Do Spartan races
• Run marathons, etc.

In short, I transformed my identity from a chubby weakling to a dedicated and high-performing athlete. And THAT right there is the key to making discipline easy…

Adopting The Identity Of A Self-Disciplined Person

The reason why discipline feels hard for you is that you haven’t adopted the identity of a disciplined person. Read that again… Identity drives action. If you believe yourself to be a type of person, then performing the actions that are aligned with that personality type becomes effortless. You won’t even have to think about it.

I don’t have to “try” not to smoke cigarettes. Why? Because I’m not a smoker. See how that works? It’s the same with anything else. Once you adopt the identity of a disciplined person, the rest is automatic. You’ll work out, you’ll eat healthy, you’ll read daily, etc.

And what’s even cooler is that you’ll start behaving this way naturally. It’s not something you’ll have to force or use willpower to achieve.

How To Shift Your Identity To Make Self-Discipline Easier

You can shift your personality and identity to make self-discipline effortless. The caveat? It won’t happen overnight. It’s a process. And you have to respect that if you want this strategy to work for you. But with that in mind, here is the simple formula I have used to shift my identity time and again over the years.

1. Clarify The Outcome

What type of individual do you want to be? An athlete. A high performer. Maybe more assertive when dealing with others? Whatever it is for you, get clear on that outcome. You can’t hit a target that you can’t see. Now, here comes the good part…

2. Set The Standard

This is where things get real. The truth is that there’s something about your mindset, behaviour, or lifestyle as a whole that needs to change in order for you to adopt the identity of a disciplined person. As a result, you need to make a shift. You already know what that shift is for you. Maybe you need to start:

• Training every day if you want to lose weight
• Journaling if you want to become more mindful
• Eating healthier if you want to feel more energetic
• Developing a morning/evening routine if you want balance, etc.

There are countless things you can do to set a new standard in your life. Pick one that’s simple and low friction. That will make it more likely that you’ll continue the practice until it becomes a part of you, which brings me to my final point…

3. Hold The Line

Another reason why discipline feels hard is that you haven’t given it enough time. New habits require time to take root in your life. Be patient. Hold the line. Show up every day. And with enough time and persistence, your new standards, habits, disciplines, etc., will become a natural part of who you are and what you do.

Give yourself a 100-day challenge. 100 back-to-back days of you engaging in a new standard that is aligned with your goal. After 100 consecutive days, you won’t just have a new habit; you’ll be a new person. 

Final Thoughts On Why Disciplined Feels Hard

In closing, the reason why discipline feels hard is that you haven’t adopted the identity of a disciplined person yet. Once you step into that identity, self-control is something that just a part of your nature. And you can do that by following the simple steps I’ve laid out in this article. You got this.

And remember: Stay Motivated And Disciplined.