Discipline is not Freedom

Often your psyche will cooperate if you just ask it what it wants. Maybe you actually have motivation to go the gym or do your taxes. Maybe all you need to do is let yourself watch 20mins of Netflix when you’re done.

The next time you are tempted by something that violates your values and goals, pause and make a deal with yourself. Understand the trade-offs on both sides and make sure all parties are content. Let yourself eat cake but sign up for the sugar crash too. Or avoid the cake entirely and sign up for the feeling of discomfort and hunger when everyone a... See more

Self-discipline is actually self-domination. It’s when you privilege one of your internal stakeholders at the expense of all the others. Inevitably your psyche generates a coup and disrupts your life.

People violate their values because they’re really good at compartmentalization and really bad at making deals.

The next time you are tempted by something that violates your values and goals, pause and make a deal with yourself. Understand the trade-offs on both sides and make sure all parties are content. Let yourself eat cake but sign up for the sugar crash too. Or avoid the cake entirely and sign up for the feeling of discomfort and hunger when everyone a... See more