Discipline = Freedom
Jocko Willink shared this idea in his second book, “Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual.”
For me, 2023 is about discipline. Better yet, it’s about daily discipline. To achieve discipline on the molecular level, I’m INSPECTING what I’m EXPECTING. I spent the final week of 2022 preparing a daily habit, a weekly to-do, and a few other measurables I want to achieve in 2023.
I’m using a free version of the Notion app to make lists, tables, and trackers. I have seven personal daily habits that I check off throughout the day. They include reading, working out, learning more Spanish, reading the Bible, having a good night’s rest, and even watching The Office. These little habits keep me rested, focused, and healthy daily.
If I want to say a digital “hello” to over 2,000 employees in a distributed workforce, I must make an intentional plan. I have a weekly task list for work that breaks up tasks Monday-Friday. For example, to check in on 500 employees in a given month, I’ll need to direct message 125/per week. One more work of arithmetic and I need to contact 25 people daily. I’ve also added a weekly task to write another blog post and record another podcast. These measurable daily tasks are helping me to achieve much larger goals.
Once I’ve checked off the essential tasks of the day, I can embrace joy and freedom because I’m not feeling guilty for spending time with my kids, knocking out some “Spider-Man: Miles Morales” achievements, hunting a dinner recipe, or watching the Buccaneers barely clinch a playoff spot.
As the old proverb tells us, “eat an elephant one bite at a time.” Happy 2023, friends.
